CALAMBA CITY (June 17, 2010) - DTI Calabarzon Region Director Marilou Quinco-Toledo reported that a team of enforcers of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the region visited on May 13 manufacturing sites in Santa Rosa and San Pablo cities suspected to be sources of uncertified fire extinguishers.
Three firms visited were Vian Enterprises, Keirojen Enterprises, and Race Enterprises and they were found producing uncertified fire extinguishers that violates Department Administrative Order (DAO) 02:2002.
DAO 02:2002 stipulates that manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and those who offer for sale products covered by mandatory product certification shall sell, or offer for sale only such products which complied with the requisite Philippine National Standard (PNS) and with the required Philippine Standards (PS) quality certification mark (or PS mark), or with a valid ICC in the case of imported products.
Products that will affect life, safety and health of the people and its environment are listed for mandatory product certification.
Fire extinguishers are among the products that require mandatory certification.
Although Vian Enterprises is licensed to manufacture DC and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) types, its license does not cover the CO2 fire extinguishers it produced. Similarly, Kierojen Enterprises and Race Enterprises are licensed to produce the DC type, but not CO2 and HCFC type extinguishers.
The firms were penalized with fines ranging from P35,000 to P75,000 each. Vian Enterprises, committing its second offense, was meted the highest penalty.
The enforcement was prompted by reports that such firms engaged in the manufacture and sale of uncertified fire extinguishers.
The DTI, through the Bureau of Product Standards, implements the PS mark scheme to ensure the safety of consumers and that fitness for use of such products conform to the relevant Philippine National Standards (PNS).
Thus, manufacturers of products covered by mandatory certification are required to secure a PS license, or secure an import commodity clearance (ICC) in case of imported items, prior to producing and distributing products to the market.
To be certified, manufacturers shall ensure that their products comply with the appropriate PNS and bears the mandatory PS mark.
The PNS is a reference standard that sets the conditions to be fulfilled to ensure the quality and safety of a product. It contains product specifications, test methods, terminology, standardization procedures, and guidelines or practices.
Reference standards for fire extinguishers are PNS 15 - Part 1:1989; PNS 15 - Part 3:1991; PNS 15 - Part 4:1991; and PNS 15 - Part 5:1991, for DC, CO2, AFFF, and HCFC types, respectively.
Director Toledo explained that currently, there are 80 products listed under mandatory certification comprised of household electrical appliances; wires, cables, wiring devices, and lamps; mechanical, building and construction materials; chemical and other consumer products including fire extinguishers.
The PNS are generally adopted from international standards such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), among others. (DTI-4A/ Charlie S. Dajao)
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