DTI vows to go after sellers and manufacturers of ‘uncertified’ firecrackers
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Friday announced penalties for sellers and manufacturers of uncertified firecrackers, warning them of peddling these potentially harmful consumer goods during the lead up to the New Year revelry.
“For the DTI side, we can issue cease and desist orders to the manufacturers,” Regino Mallari, director IV at the DTI’s Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau, said at a press briefing in Makati.
“And I believe there is a special law enforced by the (Philippine National Police) that has a criminal aspect for violations,” he said further.
He said that a small volume of uncertified firecrackers could still be slipping into the local market due to illegal importation or because of the sheer number of products during this time of year.
“For our part, we will do more intensified enforcement and monitoring for this season,” he said.
Process audits
Meanwhile, a group of local manufacturers is asking the PNP to include testing from the DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) in their implementing rules and regulations, which covers allowed and prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
“The PNP should require all manufacturers of firecrackers and pyrotechnics to get certifications for all their products so only quality fireworks can be allowed to be sold to the public,” Philippine Fireworks Association (PFA) Joven Ong said in a message sent to the Inquirer.
“The DTI-BPS should do only process audits on all manufacturers and not product audits only. This will ensure that only fireworks manufactured in the country under strict product standards will be given PS Marks,” he added.
He also urged authorities to act against the grey and black markets for firecrackers, citing that these negatively impact manufacturers that follow the law.
“Illegal manufacturers with no quality standards hurt the industry, with all the injuries caused by their products being blamed on the legitimate fireworks industry,” said Ong.
The DTI put up a list of certified manufacturers on its website last year, with at least fifteen manufacturers authorized to sell these products.
These are 4Sure Fireworks, A. Santiago Fireworks, Andy’s Fireworks, Double L, Dragon Fireworks, Diamond, LF Fireworks, LLF, Maribel Sta. Ana Fireworks, Nation, Pegasus, Phoenix, Star Light, Yangco Fireworks, and JPL Fireworks.
