More than P40M worth of substandard goods seized as of May

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry has seized more than P40 million worth of substandard consumer products from January to May, with over 240 stores penalized for selling non-compliant wares.

The government’s haul included lead acid batteries, steel products, and vape products, according to the announcement made during the DTI’s Saturday radio morning program at the DZBB station.

Cherryl Carbonell, officer-in-charge director of the DTI’s Consumer Affairs and Advocacy Office, highlighted the rising confiscations of vape products in the market.

“Our confiscation (from January) until May is already at the same level as our entire confiscation last year,” Carbonell said.

“The DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards has already come out with technical regulations on vape products. So, this year, we are expecting violative vape products to disappear from the market,” she added.

READ: DTI: Mandatory certification of vape products this week

Mandatory government certification of vape products began last week as mandated under the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 11900, more commonly known as the Vape Act.

Last week, the DTI said it had logged a record crackdown on illegal vape products during the first five months of 2024, confiscating P25.87 million worth of contraband.

READ: Tighter regulations on vape sale, restricted access to minors pushed

The DTI has also linked up with three other government agencies to tighten vape regulation and address the increasing use among youth of vape products, including those laced with marijuana.

It said it was finalizing the proposed memorandum of understanding with the Department of Education and the Department of Interior and Local Government to restrict access of students to vape products in places frequented by minors.