The Department of Trade and Industry’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB) files formal charges against nine (9) establishments in Quezon City for allegedly selling automotive batteries and tires and lighters without the required Philippine Standard (PS)/ Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark and other labels.

A total of 110 pieces of lead-acid automotive batteries and pneumatic tires amounting to P552,762.00 were being sold without the PS or ICC mark by eight (8) establishments, namely, Mercury Battery Industries, Inc.; Four L’s Corporation; Tyrepro Banawe Inc.; Jawe Marketing; Kar Motion Tires, Batteries and Accessories; MJM Auto Care Center; LP Herrera Tire Supply; and, Trade.com.ph Corporation. In addition, 145 pieces of disposable lighters without the PS or ICC mark were found at the Ever Plus Store, Inc. These establishments are in violation of the provisions of the Republic Act (R. A.) 4109 or the Standards Law, as implemented by the Department Administrative Order (DAO) 02: 2007 and the Article 77 of R. A. 7394 also known as the Consumer Act.

The DTI-FTEB enforcement teams conducted their inspections last 28 June – 04 July 2016 in 70 automotive supplies establishments in the National Capital Region (NCR). The teams sealed the products without proper markings and have already issued the notices of violation to these nine (9) establishments.

DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba, together with DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) Director Atty. Ann Claire C. Cabochan and DTI-FTEB Officer-in-Charge Ferdinand L. Manfoste, led the operations in Quezon City today and seized said products which are not properly marked with the PS or ICC.

“The DTI regulates consumer products for their reliability and safety. When attested that these products have passed the requirements of the Philippine National Standards (PNS), such as the required markings and labels on the product or product package, then we assure consumers that these products meet standards and are safe to use”, Undersecretary Dimagiba emphasizes.

“An investigation will proceed and appropriate penalties shall be imposed to establishments that were found selling products without proper markings”, Undersecretary Dimagiba adds.

The chemical and consumer products that the DTI regulates are brake fluid, safety belt (seat belt), safety glass for automotive use, pneumatic tire, fire extinguisher, fireworks, lead-acid battery, disposable lighter, safety match, LPG cylinder for household and automotive uses, inner tubes for tires, motorcycle helmet and their visors, medical grade oxygen, and, monobloc chairs/ stool. The manufacturers, importers and distributors of these products are required to apply for a PS license or an ICC certificate prior to distribution and sale in the market and subject their products to tests, inspections and evalutation based on the Philippine National Standards. Among the required labels on these products is the PS or ICC mark.

For more information on the enforcement activity, call DTI-FTEB at 811.8231; on the products with PS or ICC mark, call DTI-BPS at 751.4724.

The DTI enjoins the consumers to check on the PS and ICC marks prior to purchase of automotive batteries and tires, and lighters.