DTI: Buy X'mas lights with ICC marks

By Connie Destura LEGAZPI CITY --- With Christmas just around the corner, decorations now being displayed in different malls, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bicol warned consumers to be cautious in buying Christmas lights that do not bear the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark. DTI reminded the public to buy only Christmas lights that bear the ICC mark to ensure safer Christmas festivities. Jocelyn Berango, DTI spokesperson in an interview Wednesday, advised the public to be vigilant and extra cautious in choosing the Christmas lights they buy and adorn in their homes so as not to put the lives of their loved ones in danger. DTI Bicol Regional Director Jocelyn Blanco said, “only those sets of Christmas lights with the ICC sticker have passed DTI’s mandatory safety tests, thus these products are safe and reliable to use.” DTI regulates the sale of Christmas lights to protect consumers from the hazards of using substandard products such as electric shock and overheating that often lead to fire, property damages and even loss of lives. Under the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) Product Certification Scheme that is based on the Department Administrative Order (DAO) 05:2008, all importers of Christmas lights shall secure an ICC certificate, prior to the sale and distribution of their products in the local market. Only those whose products have complied with the requirements based on the Philippine National Standard are appropriately issued with the ICC Certificate and are allowed to affix the ICC stickers on their products or product packages. Blanco emphasizes, “The ICC mark is in sticker form and comes with a unique serial number. Those sets of Christmas lights with pre-printed ICC mark on its package are definitely uncertified and did not undergo proper tests and inspections of the Department. Consumers may report stores selling Christmas lights without ICC stickers to DTI Regional Office at Tel. No. 4805721 or to the nearest DTI Provincial Office.