DAVAO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry has included Christmas lights with light-emitting diode (LED) lamps in the list of mandatory products that needs certification to ensure that it is safe to use.
In a press release on Thursday, June 23 the DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), said the scope of the Philippine National Standard 189:2000 includes “the specified safety requirements for lighting sets using miniature and sub-miniature lamps for decorative purposes.”
DTI-Davao Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said this will include LED Christmas lights in the agency’s monitoring and enforcement activities.
“As part of the mandatory products that DTI monitors, this means that we are going to intensify our efforts in ensuring that LED Christmas lights are safe for all consumers,” Ambi pointed out.
The BPS said that the standard also applies to fully-assembled lighting sets such as those for Christmas trees complete with lamps using supply voltage not exceeding 250V single phase.
Ambi warned that manufacturers, importers and retailers who will not comply with the BPS Product Certification Scheme will be filed with administrative charges for violation of the DTI Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2:2007; Republic Act (RA) 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines; and RA 4109 or the Standards Law. (davaotoday.com)
