CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Misamis Oriental took center stage at the Oro Chamber 1st Quarter General Assembly, imparting insights on standardization and conformity assessment and underscoring the significance of adhering to standards for business prosperity.
Angelo Devero, chief of the DTI Misamis Oriental Consumer Protection Division, emphasized the pivotal role of standards in driving business growth and fostering a culture of excellence within the industry.
He highlighted that while standards are voluntary documents approved by recognized bodies, they serve as essential guidelines for ensuring product quality, safety, and competitiveness in the market.
Devero said standards become mandatory regulations when they impact aspects such as life, health, safety, the environment, or local manufacturers.
"Standards actually level the playing field. But, not all products must undergo the mandatory product certification scheme," he further said.
Devero added that 111 products are under the mandatory certification scheme and grouped into nine consumer product categories. These include household appliances, consumer electronics, lighting and wiring devices, steel products, plastic pipes, ceramic products, cement and other construction materials, chemical products, automotive-related products, and other consumer products.
He encouraged entrepreneurs to visit the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) portal for further information on certification requirements.
"In the Philippines, the National Standards Body is the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS). The BPS has been established pursuant to Republic Act 4109. It is mandated to develop, promulgate, and implement standards for all products in the Philippines, to promote standardization of activities in the country, and to ensure the manufacturing, production and distribution of quality products for consumers' protection," he said.
Devero also discussed product certification schemes - the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and Safety Certification Mark and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme. These marks, he said, serve as indicators of compliance with standards, with the ICC sticker featuring a new security feature allowing for easy verification via scanning.
To ensure compliance with standards, the DTI Misamis Oriental conducts regular monitoring, market surveillance, enforcement actions, and on-site audits.
Recent efforts included destroying uncertified products worth more than P760,000, reinforcing the commitment to upholding consumer safety and rights. These products were seized during surveillance and enforcement operations after being found to lack the mandatory PS mark or ICC sticker.
Meanwhile, the entrepreneurs were urged to prioritize obtaining product certifications to enhance the credibility and marketability of their products.
"While we promote and develop businesses, we also enjoin businesses to comply with the requirements of the Fair Trade Law and standards," Devero stated. (APB/PIA-10)
