Traders warned: don’t sell substandard lights

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry-7 has warned all retailers and distributors of substandard Christmas lights that will face sanctions if caught selling uncertified products.

DTI-7 director Asteria Caberte said the agency will be strictly monitoring the sale of Christmas lights in the market to protect consumers from the hazards of uncertified products.

Among the hazards of substandard Christmas lights are electric shock, overheating that often leads to fire, property damage, and even loss of lives.

She said that traders caught by DTI selling and distributing substandard products will be penalized under Republic Act (RA) No. 4109. In a bid to protect consumers, the department has issued a list of certified Christmas lights manufacturers in time for the Yuletide season.

The list can be viewed at DTI Bureau of Philippines Standards (BPS) website at www.bps.dti.gov.ph. The manufacturers of all the products listed in the website have the Philippine Standards (PS) license and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC).

The PS and ICC certificates are issued to manufacturers or importers after they have undergone checking and inspection for compliance of product standards.

Caberte said that the DTI-7 has intensified its monitoring and enforcement activities across the region. Substandard products will be confiscated while the sellers will be fined.

The DTI also reminds consumers to buy only Christmas lights certified by the Bureau of Philippines Standards (PS) to avoid any injurious or untoward incident from happening.

“For the consumers, we suggest that you look at the packaging of the Christmas lights and make sure there’s a certification seal. We would always suggest that consumers go for certified Christmas lights with appropriate stickers because safety is paramount,” Caberte said in a statement.

Earlier, the Mandaue City Council passed a resolution urging DTI-7 to conduct surprise inspection and strict monitoring on the sale of Christmas lights in the market.

“This is to protect consumers from the hazards posed by substandard products such as electric shock and overheating that often lead to fire, property damages and even the loss of valued lives,”’ reads the resolution sponsored by Councilor Jimmy Lumapas.  FPL (FREEMAN)