DTI asks public to use certified BI-GI pipes, tubes

The Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Philippine Standards has advised the public, particularly contractors, builders and hardware store owners to buy/use black iron and galvanized iron steel pipes that bear the requisite Philippine Standard and Import Commodity Clearance marks as a safety precaution.

This is a part of the sustained standards enforcement campaign and market monitoring of DTI nationwide fin the wake of the proliferation of cheap, uncertified and substandard imported steel pipes which adversely affected the local steel pipe industry.

As part of its campaign to ensure consumer safety, the DTI goes after and cracks down on establishments that sell uncertified and substandard steel pipe products. As its enforcement arm, the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau through its Surveillance and Monitoring Division does not only monitor prices of basic commodities but also strictly enforces compliance with the fair trade laws for businesses and in support of the Bureau of Philippine Standards.

The BPS checks the compliance with the relevant standards of those products covered under the Mandatory Product Standard Certification Scheme. The FTEB also works closely with the DTI-Regional Operations Group, especially for provincial and regional areas to ensure that Philippine standards as enshrined under Republic Act No. 4109, Labeling under Article 77 of Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, are strictly enforced and observed in the market.