DTI inspects ICC stickers on Christmas lights

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu inspected yesterday morning Christmas lights sold in a mall in Cebu City's downtown area.

During the inspection, Dario Cabarrubias, senior trade development specialist at DTI-Cebu, showed to the media the legitimate Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks that should be placed in all Christmas lights sold by retailers.

In October, the DTI ordered that only Christmas lights that have ICC marks issued from January 2013 up to present must be sold in the market.

Diane Almagro, store manager at Metro Gaisano, said in an interview the Christmas lights that they sell bear the 2013 and 2014 issued ICC marks. These products are sold at a price range from P99.75 to P499.79, she said.

Almagro said the store has sales personnel who are ready to demonstrate to customers the correct usage of Christmas lights.

The DTI had earlier ordered its provincial and regional offices to adopt precautionary measures in order to identify uncertified Christmas lights or lighting chains in the market.

According to DTI, consumers can demand establishments to show their ICC certificates to ensure if they are transacting with suppliers authorized by the agency to sell safe Christmas lights. (FREEMAN)