DTI destroys non-compliant, substandard products as part of its observance of World Consumer Rights Day

Transcript

00:00 Let the buyer beware. And on this auspicious day celebrating World Consumers Day, we are

00:06 dutifully reminded by the Department of Trade and Industry to keep a careful eye on items

00:11 or products we seek to buy that may not pass the standards test or DTI muster. These products

00:18 are not guaranteed safe or up to consumer standards and may even be harmful to one's

00:23 physical health as we hear the full report from our Soojin Kim.

00:28 For non-compliance with safety and quality standards, various consumer products such

00:35 as fireworks, helmets, visors, monoblock chairs, and vape products were annihilated

00:41 from storage and shelves of the Department of Trade and Industry. The items had been

00:45 confiscated by the agency and stored in the DTI warehouse. The products were found to

00:51 be non-compliant with current laws and regulations as determined by the Fair Trade Enforcement

00:57 Bureau. Technical regulations on products covered by the mandatory certification process

01:02 of the DTI Bureau of Philippine Standards are required and enforced to uphold consumers'

01:08 rights to safety.

01:09 If they use these products, the ones we should destroy, we have no assurance if it is safe.

01:16 For example, the helmet, it was not tested. The monoblock chairs, it was not tested if

01:22 it is safe for the people who will use it, especially the children or the elderly.

01:27 This means products sold in markets should have a Philippine Standards or PS mark or

01:32 an Import Commodity Clearance or ICC sticker. In line with Consumer Rights Day, every 15

01:38 March, the agency conducts a similar ceremony. In total, more than 3,000 items were destroyed

01:45 with an estimated value of almost 1.8 million pesos. Moreover, the DTI emphasizes the agency's

01:52 vigilance when it comes to vape products, especially those with flavor descriptors,

01:57 as well as those which use cartoons and anime characters to entice the younger market. The

02:02 agency maintains that under the vape law, which is already in effect, vendors who market

02:07 vape products to minors face stiff penalties.

02:11 Secretary Pascual has given us very strict orders to heighten our enforcement operations

02:16 of vape.

02:17 The department reassures the public all deliberately destroyed items will be properly disposed

02:22 with the assistance of the DNR and LGUs. The Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau reminds all

02:28 to keep to what's right and fair to safeguard every Filipino life.

02:32 Sujin Kim from the National TV Network for the New and Better Republic.