Quality testing imposed on flat glass

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it would require imported and locally produced flat glass to pass quality standards set by the government before they could be sold in the market.

The move, which came years after relaxing such rule, was aimed at preventing the entry of substandard products into the local market.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters on Friday that he had already signed the department administrative order on this.

Flat glass, which is used in the production of windows among others, will be back in the government’s list of products that have to undergo mandatory product certification, based on the DAO.

The DAO, which will take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation, will require quality testing and certification of both locally produced and imported flat glass.

“This DAO aims to ensure that glass products meet the specified safety and/or quality requirement/s as required under Philippine National Standards,” a copy of the order read.

Flat glass used to be part of the list of products that had to undergo mandatory certification since 2005 but it was delisted in 2015. After its delisting, the country’s only flat glass maker said it saw its market share drop from 70 percent to about 45 percent last year.

Officials of Pioneer Float Glass Manufacturing Inc. (PFGMI) told reporters last year that the surge in imports in recent years might include substandard goods since the rules were relaxed.

The DAO runs parallel to an ongoing DTI study on the possibility of imposing safeguard measures against clear and tinted flat glass, after being prompted by PFGMI. —ROY C. CANIVEL