The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently monitored various vendors in Bacolod City and Silay City, particularly hardware stores selling steel bars, to ensure they are adhering to national standards.
“May standards kita nga dapat i-meet; that’s why may mga products nga covered sang mandatory standards, or mandatory certification, because this involves the protection of life and health of the public (We have standards that should be met; that’s why there are products covered by mandatory standards because this involves the protection of life and health of the public),” said DTI Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Demar Solinap.
Steel bars were being inspected to ensure they conformed to national standards.
Hardware stores that failed to comply faced sanctions, such as the sealing of substandard products and issuance of a notice of violation. If sealed items are sold, DTI will assess additional penalties on the vendor; meanwhile, a notice of violation gives a vendor 48 hours to argue their case before DTI-Negros Occidental./WDJ