DTI warns public anew to buy standard decors

CEBU, Philippines — Planning to buy decors for the coming Christmas season?

Holiday shoppers are reminded to only buy decors particularly Christmas lights that are certified by the Bureau of Philippine Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry.

DTI-Cebu director Esperanza Melgar told shoppers to be extra vigilant in buying Christmas decors especially those that use electricity.

There are brands that do not bear the Product Standard (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks on them, which could mean they weren’t properly checked by authorities.

“Time and again, the DTI has always been promoting the use of safe and certified Christmas lights. We remind everyone to always look for the ICC sticker or the printed PS mark especially when purchasing and using Christmas lights,” she said.

All certified Christmas lights are imported with PS marks or ICC stickers. PS marks are for foreign manufacturers with PS certification mark license, while ICC stickers are issued to importers with approved ICC which contains security features that can be verified by inspection with a seven-digit alpha-numeric serial number.

The agency said monitoring has started to ensure that Christmas lights being sold in the market are all PS or ICC certified.

“Again, we appeal and remind consumers to look for proper markings and labelings on the packaging of the Christmas lights,” Melgar noted.

These labels may include supplier’s/distributor’s name, address and trademark, rated voltage and rated wattage of the set; rated voltage and rated wattage of the lamp; the words, ‘For indoor use only’; the number of standard used – PNS 189:2000; country of origin; and the ICC mark hologram format and/or PS Mark.

“Those products that do not have the proper markings, and labelings, do not meet the standards and may pose danger as these may cause fire. They may ask for a copy of the actual certificate to check the veracity of the product’s quality and certification.” she added.

The mandatory certification of LED Christmas lights or lighting chains shall be implemented by the BPS using PNS 189:2000 as reference to protect the consumers from the proliferation of substandard LED Christmas lights in the local market.

The DTI also urged the public to follow safety instructions such as avoiding outdoor use of Christmas lights designed to be used only indoors; limiting Christmas light attachments; and disconnecting the product from its power source when it is not in use.

Melgar told the public to report immediately to their office if they find uncertified or substandard products or have been victims of unscrupulous business practices. (FREEMAN)