Consumers should be wary of fake products
City Councilor Merci Drilon Garcia assisted
by PSWDO Neneth Pador cuts the ribbon at the
opening of the Consumer Welfare and Product
Safety and Quality Standard Expo at
Robinsons Place from October 16 - 20, 2006 in
line with the observance of the October Consumer
Welfare Month. Also in the photo are Robinsons
Mall Manager Ditas Taleon, DTI 6 Director Dominic
Abad, Philippine Retailers' Association - Iloilo
Chapter President Francis Chung and DTI - Iloilo
Director Diosdado Cadena.
A.Chris Fernandez
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) aims to awaken the consciousness of the consumers on the importance of product quality and safety and at the same time warns the public of buying fake products in the market which could endanger lives and properties.
DTI Provincial Director Diosdado Cadena said the public should be aware of the products they are buying into especially those considered as mandatory products or those products covered by mandatory product certification.
He raised his concern in last Monday's opening of the Consumer Welfare ad Product Safety and Quality Standards Expo at the Robinsons Place.
The products covered by mandatory product certification includes electrical products, flat glass, cement, construction materials, liquefied petroleum gas, medical grade oxygen, synthetic detergents, automotive tires, batteries, brake fluid, household electrical appliances and fire extinguisher. They are the products which will affect life, safety and health of the people and its environment. The week-long exhibit at the lower ground floor of the Robinsons Place is participated by 17 exhibitors.
Cadena also said the consumers should look the Philippine Standard (PS) for Philippine produce products or ICC (Import Commodity Clearance) in case of imported products. An importer of product covered by mandatory product certification shall ensure that all its imported products comply with the requisite product specifications product markings and other requirements prescribed under the applicable Philippine National Standard (PNS).
PNS refers to a standard promulgated by the Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry relating to set of conditions to be fulfilled to ensure the quality and safety of a product. It shall contain product specifications, test method, terminology, standardization procedures, guidelines and practice.
It is not easy for a certain product to be certified as PS and bear the markings of PS. The approval of the mandatory products to a PS depends on the technicalities set forth in the kind of product being endorsed in the market. It may take sometime or years before any product can bear the markings as PS for Philippine mandatory products. The approval will depend on the technology used, facilities, raw materials and finish products, said Cadena.