Online sellers, platforms warned vs selling substandard products

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminded online platforms and sellers to make sure their products have proper clearance if they fall under the agency’s list of products requiring certification.

There are currently 87 kinds of products deemed to affect consumer and environmental safety that are under the DTI’s mandatory list, including electric fans, ceramic tiles and air conditioners.

The DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) said in a recent statement that these products should bear the Philippine Standard (PS) mark or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker, to show that they passed industry and safety standards.

Whether locally manufactured or imported, these products are required to bear either the PS mark or the ICC sticker before they can be distributed in the market.

‘Ensure compliance’

The DTI said the public should watch out for fake PS mark and ICC stickers being sold online or in physical stores. Only the DTI-BPS has the authority to issue PS License and ICC stickers.

The DTI, along with other government agencies, previously issued Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 22-01, which compiled all existing rules on online businesses.

“Laws that apply to brick and mortar stores also apply to online businesses,” said Ruth Castelo, undersecretary of DTI Consumer Protection Group.

“Hence, we remind online platforms, including [their] sellers, merchants, or e-retailers in the country to ensure compliance with the requirements of the applicable laws, rules and regulations as consolidated in JAO 22-01,” she said.

“Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in relevant issuances shall constrain the DTI and other concerned government agencies to undertake necessary legal action against these sellers,” she added.

Deceptive products

In 2021, DTI said it received over 12,000 complaints against online businesses ranging from deceptive products, to the sale of counterfeit or pirated products.

Under the JAO, DTI and other agencies said all platforms need to verify if the goods sold by their merchants were regulated, prohibited, original, genuine, licensed or unexpired.

If uncertain, the DTI said the public may contact the DTI-BPS through its Facebook page and official contact numbers. They can also check if the ICC stickers on regulated products are authentic by using the ICC Mobile Verification System App downloadable from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. INQ