“It is imperative for the DTI, BOC and the private sector to closely work together, and consolidate actions to guard the
The MOA specifies the Department of Trade and Industry- ureau of Product Standards’ (DTI-BPS’) responsibilities that include, to establish Philippine National Standards for products, test methods and codes of practice, for the importation of quality and safe products, inspection and testing; to provide the BOC a list of products under mandatory product certification as a guide for incoming shipments; to inspect and obtain samples from import shipments for testing and certification purposes; to issue a Conditional Release pending the issuance of the Import Commodity Clearance; to accredit testing laboratories that will conduct necessary tests for products that need the ICC; to recommend to BOC the issuance of warrant of seizure and detention for offending shipment; and to request assistance from PPSQF in conducting enforcement activities.
On the other hand, the indicated tasks of BOC in the MOA consist of, informing its personnel through circulars/ orders the list of products covered by the BPS product certification scheme; requiring importers of products covered by the scheme to apply for ICCs as a pre-requisite for release of their shipments; releasing shipments with ICC, Certificate of Exemption or Conditional Release; informing BPS of actions taken on shipment denied; and causing the proper disposition of substandard and unsafe import shipments with the assistance of PPSQF.
Through the MOA, PPSQF has duties to cooperate with the government and industry sectors in the areas of industry competitiveness enhancement, market monitoring and human resource capability building; to inspect, monitor and conduct independent tests of identified products to ensure only products that passed standard requirements are sold in the market; to assist in the monitoring and disposition of denied import shipments covered by the BPS product certification scheme; and to report immediately to BPS and BOC any product that does not comply with the PNS and relevant BOC rules and regulations.
The MOA was signed on
The PPSQF is a non-stock, non-profit organization that was established last year in cooperation with the DTI, to assist in ensuring that products and services in the market comply with the safety and quality requirements of the PNS. PPSQF is composed of industry federations, industry associations, consumer groups, and retailer associations.
This MOA is a renewal of the BPS-BOC MOA on Joint Procedures for the Monitoring and Inspection of Imported Products, Covered by Mandatory Philippine National Standards, signed in 1988.
For more information, call BPS at 890-5226 to 27.
“Manufacturers are encouraged to apply for the certification that is administered by C&GFI. When they pass the criteria, they will be provided the license to use the “Green Choice” logo on their products or on the packaging of their products, which demonstrates the products’ sound environmental performance and the manufacturers’ commitment to protect the environment”, BPS Director Jesus L. Motoomull stressed.
“The ELP Board has set the product criteria for synthetic detergent and tissue paper as products that are commonly used and as products that have vast environmental impacts. We are now developing the criteria for two other products – batteries and plastic packaging materials – to add in the ELP priority product list”, Dir Motoomull explained.
The ELP was initiated by the Private Sector Participation in Managing the Environment (PRIME) Project that was ran by DTI, other government offices, and non-government offices. It gained legal ground when Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of the
With an ecolabel, consumers are guided in choosing products that are environmentally-sound, and manufacturers are encouraged to adopt processes and supply products that have less adverse environmental impacts. The “Green choice” logo or the country’s ecolabel will be unveiled during the event. Simultaneously, the ELP Board will issue the license to manufacturers of synthetic detergent and tissue paper that have successfully passed the stringent certification process.
DTI-Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS) Director Jesus L. Motoomull explained, “Standards give the specifications and criteria in manufacturing a product. It dispenses the quality to a product that represents a consensus between the requirements of the consumers and the capability of manufacturers”.
Building and construction materials that are in the DTI-BPS list of standards under mandatory certification include, steel bars, cement products, pipes, plywood, refractory bricks, sanitary wares, aluminum coated sheets, aluminum-zinc coated sheets, pre-painted galvanized steel sheets, deformed steel bars, re-rolled steel bars, steel wire nails, and ceramic floor/ wall tiles.
These materials are used in building homes, offices, schools, roads, flyovers, and other infrastructure that a high degree of product reliability is expected to protect lives and properties.
These construction materials shall successfully pass DTI tests prior to distribution and selling. Under the DTI-BPS Product Certification Scheme, it authorizes a manufacturer or an importer to sell its product through the Philippine Standard (PS) License or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC), respectively when a product passes inspections.
To date, the DTI-BPS has certified 180 companies that manufacture and import building and construction materials. These companies have complied with the requirements of Department Administrative Order (DAO) No 01, Series of 1997, that include the alignment of a company’s quality management system to ISO 9000, and the specific Philippine National Standard (PNS). The DTI-BPS conducts regular inspections to all PS and ICC holders to verify their compliance to the requirements of the certification scheme - DAO 01 and the PNS.
For a copy of the list of building and construction materials manufacturers and importers certified by DTI-BPS, call 890-5227. For clarifications, call 890-4852 or 890-5226.