Revisions in certification scheme to affect PS license holders – DTI

CEBU, Philippines- The Department of Trade and Industry has said the proposed changes on the rules of the agency’s product certification scheme will affect some Philippine Standard (PS) license holders in Cebu.

DTI Cebu consumer welfare chief Zaide Bation said manufacturers of steel wire nails, low carbon steel wires and galvanized iron roofing sheets are delisted from mandatory certification.

“These companies will not be subjected to system audit by the DTI, unless these companies will opt voluntarily to apply for a PS mark license,” Bation told The FREEMAN yesterday.

She explained the products will only be checked for compliance with the terms and conditions of the mandatory labeling and self-declaration of conformity through random sampling by DTI.

“For Cebu manufacturers of wire nails, GI sheets and steel wires, entry to the market is not regulated but facilitated. So also with the future investors and importers of those products,” the trade official said.

She said around 10 PS license holders in Cebu could be affected. She added: “It is beneficial for them as it is already post regulation in the market for those not covered by mandatory certification.

“Once [the products] are in the market, DTI will do random sampling to determine if what he declared is indeed true and if there is complete labeling,” she said.

Covered under the mandatory certification are manufacturers of wiring devices, construction materials, household appliances, lighting products, chemical and consumer goods, among others. They are required to apply for the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) or PS license, based on the agency’s Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) certification scheme.

DTI Cebu said around 51 PS license holders in Cebu are currently checked for system and product audit. These include makers of monobloc chair, cement, LPG cylinder, medical grade oxygen, fire extinguisher, sanitary ware, steel bars, LGP repair, steel wires, GI sheets, wire nails and services like installation of motor vehicle LPG conversion.

Bation said: “PS license holders are checked for alignment to ISO 9000 series of standards in its system audit and the product audit.”

DTI-BPS has proposed changes on the regulations of its certification system to align to current global trade practices, to make doing business easy, to enliven competition in the retail market and to ensure access to safe consumer goods and services.

In an earlier statement, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said: “The revisions to the BPS product certification scheme are timely as we align our business and consumer programs to the ASEAN economic integration.” He said the agency intends to streamline its policies and procedures to make doing business easier.

Currently, the agency’s Department Administrative Order numbers 4 and 5 of 2008 govern its certification system rules.

DTI said it will release a new order with proposed revisions such as adjustments on fees and surety bond, a reduction in documentary requirements, improvement in monitoring and enforcement procedures and others.

Bation said the national DTI held a public hearing last March 9 on the matter. The deadline for comments from stakeholders is today.

The draft of the new order can be seen online through bps.dti.gov.ph and is also being circulated to members of the World Trade Organization.  (FREEMAN)