ILOILO City – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 has sounded the alarm on the dangers of substandard products, warning both consumers and businesses that non-compliance with product standards not only violates the law but also poses serious risks to lives, homes, and the environment.
In a public advisory aired during Episode 7, Season 2 of Istorya Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) on July 6, DTI-6 Consumer Protection Division chief Grace Benedicto emphasized the importance of complying with Republic Act 4109 or the Philippine Standards Law, which mandates quality control and product certification through the Bureau of Philippine Standards.
“Quality products protect us all — whether you’re a consumer or a business owner. With quality comes safety, trust, and economic progress. Substandard products bring harm, not just to people but to the environment as well,” Benedicto said.
She underscored the role of quality assurance marks, advising buyers to always look for the Philippine Standard (PS) Mark on locally manufactured items and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker on imported ones. These certifications, she said, serve as proof that a product has passed rigorous testing and inspection under DTI protocols.
“Reading labels and checking for PS or ICC marks is the first step to avoiding household and environmental hazards. Following the product standards law is not just a legal responsibility — it’s an act of respect for consumer welfare,” she added.
Benedicto explained that 109 product types fall under the DTI’s mandatory certification requirement. These include common household appliances such as electric fans, flat irons, rice cookers, blenders, and air conditioners, as well as construction materials like cement, steel bars, plastic pipes, and wiring devices — all of which must be certified to ensure durability, especially during calamities like earthquakes.
“If it’s a locally made product, look for the PS mark. If it’s imported, the ICC mark should be visible,” Benedicto said. “Before purchasing any of the 109 regulated products, make sure to check for the certification stickers. Without them, the risk is too high — from fire hazards to structural failures.”
To help consumers verify the authenticity of these certification stickers, the DTI offers a mobile application that can scan and confirm whether an ICC sticker is genuine. The app provides details such as the name of the manufacturer and product specifications. Consumers can also bring suspicious products to any DTI provincial or regional office for verification.
DTI-6 conducts regular inspections of stores, malls, and retail outlets to ensure compliance. Businesses caught selling uncertified or falsely labeled goods face administrative fines, license revocation, and confiscation of the products.
“If a product has no valid mark or has a fake one, it’s a violation. You can be fined, lose your business license, or have your products confiscated,” Benedicto warned.
She reiterated the call for consumers to remain vigilant and investigative, especially as natural disasters become more frequent. “We must ask: Will these construction materials hold during a quake? Are our appliances safe from fire risks? The answer lies in the mark of quality.”/PN
