Lemon Law IRR to be issued in Nov

MANILA, Philippines - The implementing rules and regulations for the recently passed Lemon Law which seeks to protect vehicle owners are expected to be issued in November, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

“RA (Republic Act) 10624 takes effect on Aug. 7, 2014 while the IRR (implementing rules and regulations) is expected to be published and released by Nov. 7, 2014,” the DTI said.

The Lemon Law seeks to protect consumers in the event that a brand new vehicle purchased does not meet the standards set by the manufacturers.

Under the law, vehicle owners may demand for either a refund or replacement if the brand new car is found to have defects within one year from purchase and the glitches are unresolved even after four repair attempts by the concerned manufacturer, distributor, or authorized dealer or retailer.

Trade Undersecretary Victorio Mario Dimagiba said the approval of the Lemon Law is a significant achievement for the agency as such will provide protection to consumers.

“Consumers are now appeased that their rights and welfare in the sale of motor vehicles will be protected against business and trade malpractices, and that redress is readily available for them at the DTI,” he said.

As the sole implementing agency of the law, the DTI will have jurisdiction over disputes that may arise between car owners and the manufacturers or distributor or authorized retailer of the defective vehicle.

“The DTI has been successful in its use of the Alternative Dispute

Resolution (ADR) system in addressing consumer complaints and under the Philippine Lemon Law, the agency will continue using ADR for resolving disputes related to the sale of motor vehicles,” Dimagiba said.