The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s campaign yielded significant results with unlicensed fireworks busted in Sta. Maria Bulacan during its enforcement operations on 29 December 2022.
Days ahead of the New Year, DTI – Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) builds up its enforcement operations to inspect fireworks establishments in Bulacan, led by the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) and the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS).
Out of the eight (8) inspected retail firms during the said enforcement operations, four (4) were issued with a Notice of Violation (NOV) for selling fireworks not covered by their Philippine Standard (PS) license, and for not bearing the required PS mark. As part of the due process, the representative of the stores was given 48 hours to provide an explanation related to the findings of noncompliance.
The fireworks capped during the said operation are on top of the unlicensed fireworks nabbed during the ramped-up enforcement in Bocaue, Bulacan, on 27 December 2022.
To ensure product quality and safety, the DTI encouraged the public to purchase fireworks with the PS mark.
The Department also advised consumers to be guided by the list of PS-licensed fireworks brands and companies released by the DTI-BPS on 19 December 2022.
Pursuant to the Republic Act (RA) No. 7183 or the Law on Pyrotechnic Devices which prohibits the importation of finished firecrackers and fireworks, the list includes 14 local brand names and companies, including Dragon Fireworks by Dragon Fireworks Inc.; Diamond by Diamond Fireworks Inc.; LF Fireworks by Legendary Fireworks Inc; Pegasus by Pegasus Fireworks; Phoenix by Phoenix Fireworks; Double L by Double L Fireworks and Nation by Nation Fireworks.
“We are one with other government agencies in ensuring consumer safety during this Holiday season. With that, the DTI supports the Department of Health (DOH) in intensifying the “Iwas Paputok” campaign; and the national police and local government units in enforcing Executive Order No. 28, restricting firecracker use to community fireworks displays,” said Usec. Castelo.
Usec. Castelo also enjoined consumers to fulfill their share in upholding consumer protection by being vigilant and purchasing only licensed fireworks that have undergone and passed the DTI testing schemes.
The nationwide campaign of DTI against unlicensed fireworks underscores the enforcement of DTI technical regulations mandating compliance with Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes, particularly Department Administrative Order No. 02, Series of 2007; and with the new technical regulations concerning the mandatory Product Certification of Fireworks with General Categories 1, 2, And 3, particularly Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 22-08 Series of 2022.
The campaign also calls for conformance with the PNS 1120:2019 or the Philippine National Standard for Fireworks, as promulgated by the DTI-BPS.
To protect consumers or potential buyers of electrical and electronic products; mechanical or building and construction materials; and chemical and other consumer products and systems, DTI-BPS regulates 111 products and systems through implementing Mandatory Product Certification Schemes: the PS Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme.
From January to November 2022, FTEB has already confiscated 219,693 pieces of uncertified products worth Php67,490,780.90.
The DTI urges consumers to report retailers, distributors, and manufacturers that sell unlicensed fireworks through the Consumer Care Hotline at DTI (1-384) or [email protected].
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