DTI issues national standards set for plastic shopping bags

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry has issued the Philippine National Standards (PNS) on the safety and labeling requirements for plastic shopping bags.

 "It [PNS 2097:2014] applies the terms and definitions of biodegradable plastic, compostable plastic, composting, degradable plastic, oxidative degradable plastic, plastic, polymer and recyclable," DTI's Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) said in a statement.

 The PNS 2097 lists the maximum allowable concentration of heavy metals and other toxic substances and the degradation requirements of a plastic shopping bag.

 Sought for clarification, Zaide Bation, consumer welfare chief of DTI-Cebu, said the PNS for plastic shopping bag "is a voluntary standard and not for mandatory implementation," quoting the BPS.

The official said it is likely that some plastic shopping bags especially those used in public markets do not comply with the set standards. 

 Bation said, however, that grocery stores are required to use biodegradable shopping bags especially on Saturdays.

 "Paper bags are mandatory on Saturdays but some stores also have biodegradable plastic bags," she added.

 In Cebu City, it was in 2013 when the "No Plastic Saturday" ordinance was passed by the City Council, mandating shopping malls to use paper bags on Saturdays. — (FREEMAN)