Buy ICC-compliant Christmas products – DTI Aklan

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Enforcement and monitoring activities against uncertified products are conducted by the Department of Trade of Industry (DTI)-Aklan provincial office ahead of the Christmas holidays. 

photo DTI Aklan

DTI-Aklan provincial director Ma. Carmen Iturralde has reminded the store owners to sell only products with Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers or Philippine Standards (PS) certification marks to avoid the risk of injury or damage to property to consumers. 

As of November 22, twelve establishments were found compliant to standards.

The Consumer Act of the Philippines otherwise known as Republic Act No. 7394 requires manufacturers, importers and distributors to secure ICC and PS markings before the Christmas products are sold in the market. 

These also include chemicals, household appliance, wiring devices, wires and cables, construction materials, lamp and related products, and other consumer products. 

Erring establishments will face penalties amounting to P25,000 to P300,000 and the filing of criminal or civil charges and confiscation of substandard products. 

Iturralde said Noche Buena products sold in the town of Kalibo are also within the suggested retail price (SRP).  

DTI distributed the SRP to 19 supermarkets, stores in wet market and grocery stores in Kalibo. They were monitored and found compliant. 

The agency inspected KH Shopping Center, Farmacia Gomez, Gaisano Capital Kalibo, Allen’s Mart, Mercury Drugstore-Roxas Avenue, Unitop Merchandising, Jagonob Store, Savemore Market, 4AD Sari Sari Store, Aklan Citizen Bazaar, BN and Sons Commercial, Marianing Superstore, Aklan Visayan Commercial, Bee Bee Bazaar, Super K Drug Corporation, RC Supermart, Allen Merchandising and Royal Supermart.