The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced it has seized 479 units of uncertified tires for automotive vehicles worth P1.28 million from 10 non-compliant firms along Banawe Street in Quezon City.
The trade department said DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo and DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau Officer-in-Charge Joseph Manuel P. Pamittan led the DTI enforcement teams in inspecting 17 retail firms in Banawe, Quezon City on January 6, 2023.
“The focused enforcement of DTI technical regulations has seized 479 units of uncertified tires for automotive vehicles; with 10 non-compliant firms issued with a notice of violation [NOV], mandating them to explain within 48 hours from the receipt of the notice,” DTI said in a news statement issued on Tuesday.
According to DTI, the said number of units of uncertified tires confiscated amounted to P1,288,938.
Castelo underscored the importance of “safeguarding” the quality of tires that proliferate the market, as this is crucial in ensuring safety among car owners and passengers on the road.
“DTI steps up the enforcement operations against uncertified tires for automotive vehicles as they are a pivotal part of cars. Hence, safeguarding the quality of tires that proliferates the market upholds road safety and protects car owners and passengers,” Castelo stressed.
Passenger, light truck, and truck/bus tires should conform to PNS 25:1994 of the Philippine National Standard for pneumatic tires, according to the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS).
Under automotive-related products, the standards arm of DTI is also mandated to monitor the compliance of seat belts; child restraint systems; helmets and their visors; safety glass for automotive; lead-acid storage batteries; inner tubes for tires; and speed limitation devices.
According to the web site of BPS, part of its mandate, as provided in the Consumer Act of the Philippines, is to protect consumers against hazards to health and safety as well as to assure the public of the consistency of standardized products in the market.
Further, to carry out its mandate, the BPS said it provides for the standardization and certification of products, both locally manufactured and imported, giving the consumers access to quality and safe products conforming to the relevant Philippine National Standards (PNS).
According to BPS, it currently implements two Mandatory Product Certification Schemes: the PS Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme.
“Products covered by the mandatory certification, whether locally manufactured or imported, are not allowed to be distributed in the Philippine market without the necessary PS or ICC marks,” the BPS website noted.