DTI targets e-sellers of key consumer goods

In a bid to control the sale and distribution of uncertified consumer products online, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) plans to require e-sellers to first register with them.

This is part of greater government efforts to further regulate the country’s booming e-sector in the name of consumer protection.

The DTI will hold a two-day public consultation starting today, Nov. 26, to get feedback on a draft department administrative order that will institutionalize this requirement of prior registration for those selling consumer products that require government certification, such as appliances and consumer electronics.

“To control, mitigate and prevent the proliferation, circulation, distribution, or sale of uncertified consumer products, the DTI is establishing a registration system for online merchants and e-retailers of consumer products under mandatory certification to further protect consumers and promote the right to safety,” the DTI said in the draft order.

The proposed regulation covers online merchants and e-retailers engaged in business in the Philippines as well as brand-new consumer products under mandatory certification of the Bureau of Philippine Standards.

However, the proposal will not cover consumer products that are already regulated by other government agencies, as well as online merchants and e-retailers of second-hand or used consumer products.

The registration is scheduled to be done in phases, depending on the type of consumer products.

The start of registration for online sellers of household appliances and consumer electronics will be 90 days after the effectivity of the order.

The plan is to have online merchants selling lighting and wiring devices, as well as steel products, plastic pipes, ceramic products, cement and other construction material start registering by May 2025.

Meanwhile, e-retailers of chemical products and automotive-related products have the planned start of registration in September 2025.

The DTI said in the draft order that online merchants and e-retailers who will refuse to register their online business with the DTI will be issued a notice of suspension of online operation until the registration is done.

“The [certificate of online registration] of a registered online merchant or e-retailer found to be selling uncertified products shall automatically be canceled,” the government agency added.

The DTI plans to give a transitory period of 45 days for online merchants and e-retailers to comply with the registration requirements. INQ