By PR | 06:37 PM January 04, 2022
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has intensified its monitoring of construction supplies to protect consumers from unfair trade practices during the rebuilding process in areas of Central Visayas affected by the onslaught of typhoon Odette.
The department is making sure that prices of prime commodities are at reasonable levels in pursuance of Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act; and of Republic Act No. 71 or the Price Tag Law which requires that all consumer products sold in retail to the public shall have appropriate price tag, label, or marking indicating their prices and shall not be sold at a higher price than that stated on the price tag.
Both laws protect consumers from illegal acts of price manipulation, such as hoarding, profiteering, and cartel.
Meanwhile, the DTI also warned the public against buying of substandard products without Philippine Standard (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks and the required labeling according to their relevant Philippine National Standards (PNS).
As stated in Republic Act No. 4109 or the Standards Law, the distribution or sale of any product that does not conform to the BPS Product Certification Scheme, required and applicable PNS quality or safety standards and tests is prohibited.
There are 72 products under the BPS Product Certification Scheme, and these are classified into three groups, namely: Electrical and Electronic Products, Mechanical/Building and Construction Materials, and Chemical and other Consumer Products.
The DTI encourages manufacturers, importers, and distributors to sell only those critical products that passed quality and safety tests. More so, the presence of the required labeling and PS and ICC marks indicates that their products are reliable and safe for use.
To avoid compromising consumers’ safety, the department runs after and cracks down establishments that sell uncertified, inferior, or substandard products.
For more information on the DTI’s programs and services, visit the following link: Department of Trade and Industry Philippines (dti.gov.ph)
