ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--Amidst the influx of imported steel and angle bars in the country as propelled by the Build, Build, Build Program of the current administration, the Department of Trade and Industry has urged consumers and retailers to carefully check the marking on steel and angle bars as well as the scope of the PS (Philippine Standard) or ICC (Import Commodity Clearance) license to assure them of safety and quality.

In the recent monitoring simultaneously conducted by DTI and the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) across the country, some hardware stores were selling the said steel products without the required marking in reference to applicable Philippine National Standard (PNS).

Deformed steel bars and rerolled steel bars must meet the requirements of PNS 49:2002 and PNS 211:2002, respectively, while equal leg angle bars must fulfill the requirements of PNS 657:2008.

Reports also showed that there are some sizes of deformed steel bars and angle bars sold in the local market which are not included in the approved scope of PS or ICC license issued by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS).

Being included in the list of mandatory products, selling steel and angel bars without the required marking and/or with its size excluded in its license scope constitutes a violation of DTI Department Administrative Order 02 series of 2007 - Defining the Responsibilities and Liabilities of Manufacturers, Importers, Traders, Wholesalers, Distributors, Retailers, Service Providers and or their Agents, concerning Products/Services Covered by Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes.

Product marking involves the logo of the manufacturer; size (in nominal diameter, length/thickness); and grade.

Penalties in violation of DAO 02:2007 include cease and desist order, confiscation/destruction of goods, and an administrative fine of not more than P300,000.

“DTI regulates consumer products for their reliability and safety. And in assuring that mandatory products are safe to use by consumers, these goods must comply and pass the requirements of the Philippine National Standard including marking. These products were sampled and subjected to various chemical and physical-mechanical tests before being sold in the local market," PD Ruel B. Paclipan reiterated. (DTI Lanao del Norte)