DTI disposes of almost P300K worth of uncertified safety belts

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced on Wednesday that it had disposed of P289,000 worth of non-compliant safety belts recently, as it continued to clamp down on the local sale of untested and potentially hazardous consumer products that are being sold in local markets.

The DTI said the items were destroyed in a warehouse last Feb. 10, highlighting that this would help ensure consumer protection.

“Safety belts are essential to avoid road accidents, and any failure to meet established minimum technical requirements poses a significant risk to drivers, passengers, and the public,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque.

“Thus, the DTI stands firm in affirming that only compliant and quality safety belts are available in the market,” Roque said.

Over 70 pieces of three-point safety belts were destroyed during a disposal process that involved hammering and cutting them into pieces.

According to the DTI, the products did not meet the corrosion test requirements set by Philippine National Standards.

A corrosion test assesses the resistance of various types of seat belts through salt spray testing and evaluates them for signs of degradation.

As automotive products, the DTI said that safety belts are among the 109 products and systems currently regulated under its Bureau of Philippine Standards’ mandatory product certification scheme.

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According to records from the DTI, around P297.9 million worth of substandard products were seized from January to October 2024.

These products are comprised of uncertified household appliances and construction materials like ceramic tiles, steel wires, and steel pipes, along with lighting and wiring devices.

Uncertified tires, brake fluids, helmets, and visors were also among the items confiscated by the government agency.