DTI urges consumers to be vigilant in buying Christmas lights
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urges consumers to be vigilant in buying Christmas lights. "When you buy Christmas lights, always look for the Philippine Standards (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks," said Regional Director Dominic P. Abad.
Abad said that Christmas lights are regulated products. Under the Product Certification Scheme of the DTI-Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS), a regulated product or a product that is covered by the mandatory certification, is submitted to the BPS Testing Center or any BPS-recognized laboratory for a series of tests, prior to distribution or sale in the market. Only those manufacturers and importers whose products pass the safety and quality requirements of a specific standard are issued with a PS License for locally-made products and the ICC Certification for imported products.
The PS & ICC marks on the product ensure that these are safe to use. These requirements are based on Republic Act 4109 (Standards Law), the Department Administrative Order No.01:1997 and DAO 05:2001, which require manufacturers and importers or distributors of these products to secure the PS License and ICC Certificate. For this year, the DTI-BPS has issued PS License to one (1) manufacturer while ICC Certificates were awarded to 16 importers and distributors to use these marks on the packages of their sets of Christmas lights.
On the other hand, Christmas lights that were not inspected according to PNS 189:2000 may not satisfy the four mandatory requirements for critical parameters namely: ball pressure, torque, temperature rise, and wire tests, which may bring electric shock and overheating that will lead to fire resulting to loss of properties and lives.
Abad also advised consumers to check on the wires and plugs of Christmas lights. A DTI-certified Christmas light has a wire with outside diameter size of 1.5mm and the pin of the plug should not be easily bent.
Abad added that regular monitoring of mandatory products eradicates the pervasive sale of critical substandard products in the market at the same time safeguard consumers from unfair trade practices.
(DTI/PIA)