DTI warns consumers anew: Buy only ICC-marked lights

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry has warned consumers anew not to buy substandard Christmas lights and make sure that they only purchase those with the Import Commodity Clearance sticker to ensure quality and safety.      

The agency has likewise warned manufacturers and retailers that they will be sanctioned if found guilty of selling substandard products.

Director Asteria Caberte of DTI Central Visayas said regular monitoring and enforcement actions would be done this holiday season to ensure that only certified Christmas lights are sold in the market.

“We’re slowly monitoring na but we will not announce the date of our monitoring kay makabantay man ang mga tindahan,” she told The FREEMAN yesterday, warning establishments that massive monitoring would be done.

Caberte also told the public to be vigilant – as usual – in buying good quality Christmas lights, saying substandard ones may overheat that may often lead to fire, property damages and even loss of lives.

ICC mark

Importers of these goods must get an ICC certificate from the trade agency before they can sell these in the local market. This is based on the Bureau of Product Standards  Product Certification Scheme of Department Administrative Order 05:2008.

Goods that have complied with the requirements based on the Philippine National Standard on Christmas lights (PNS 189:2000) are issued with the ICC permit and can bear the ICC stickers.

ICC mark is in sticker form and has a unique serial number. Locally-made products should bear the Product Safety mark.

In a previous interview, Consumer Welfare chief Zaide Bation said products with ICC mark have passed the agency’s mandatory safety tests before they are released to the market.

Products that go through the Product Certification Scheme include: household appliances; lamps and lighting products; wiring devices, wires and cables; mechanical and construction materials; and chemical and consumer products.

DTI said at least 48 Christmas light importers have valid ICC certificates and have been issued with serial numbers of the ICC stickers. (FREEMAN)