The Department of Trade and Industry’s Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) said that e-commerce platforms should only sell products that are marked with Philippine Standard (PS) or have the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker.
DTI Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) issued the remainder after they saw an increase of reports and complaints regarding the rise of uncertified products and items being offered online.
The Republic Act No. 4109 or the Standard Law and the RA No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, puts the DTI-BPS in charge of implementing Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme.
With these schemes, sellers are only allowed to sell mandatory products that has a PS mark or ICC sticker. To obtain such markings, the makers and importers of such products are required to secure an ICC certificate or PS license.
See also: How to register your online business to DTI
The list of products under the mandatory certification schemes only has 87 items. It include products like electric fans, TV sets, chemical products, and more.
Online shopping websites are under the the ambit of Section 3.5 of the DTI Department Administrative Order No. 2, series of 2007, which states that “Importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and those who offer for sale a product covered by mandatory product certification shall sell, or offer for sale only such products that complied with the requisite Philippine National Standard and with the required PS Mark, or with a valid ICC in the case of imported products.”
“We remind online sellers and operators of e-commerce platforms in the country to ensure compliance with the requirements of the aforementioned laws, rules, and regulations. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in relevant issuances shall constrain the DTI to undertake necessary legal action against these sellers,”
Atty. Ruth B. Castelo, DTI Consumer Protection Group undersecretary
The DTI-BPS is tasked to promulgate the Philippine National Standards (PNS), which is voluntary in nature and can be referenced by any interested parties. This means that following the PNS only becomes mandatory if it’s also used in technical regulations issued by the DTI or other regulatory authorities.
Via: Manila Bulletin