Ceramic tile importers oppose certification plan

A group of importers asked the Trade Department to exclude ceramic tiles from the coverage of mandatory certification.

The Philippines Ceramic Products Importer Association also pushed for a public hearing to determine whether ceramic tiles pose danger to life, health and safety.

It submitted a position paper to the Trade Department’s Consumer Protection Group and would present expert witnesses to attest to the safeness of imported ceramic tiles.

The group argued that the new technical regulations imposed by the CPG contained provisions that were “not practical and not feasible to implement within a reasonable period of time.”

“Foremost of this almost impossible provision is the requirement for a PS [Philippine Standard] license for tile manufacturers abroad,” said Philippines Ceramic Products Importer Association president Napoleon Co.

The proposed technical regulations require importers to apply for PS license for their suppliers within six months.

“From our previous experience in applying for PS license it will be impossible to have all suppliers apply for PS license within 6 months considering the limited number and capacity of the accrediting laboratories from where they came from,” Co said.

Data showed there are more than 200 suppliers of ceramic tiles from different countries to the Philippines. Most ceramic tiles imports are from China, Spain, Italy, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The group said ceramic tiles should not be considered critical construction materials and thus should not be subjected to mandatory product certification.

It said that unlike cement, steel or wires, ceramic tiles are applied and used more for their aesthetic value.

The Trade Department removed ceramic tiles from mandatory listing in 2015 following findings that these products are not harmful to life and health.

Another issue of concern for the ceramic tiles importers was the prohibitive cost of the minimum capitalization requirement of P20 million.

“If the intention of the proposed regulation is to weed out fly-by-night traders, the regulation may just require submission of BIR income tax return for the past three years to show that the importers are legitimate,” Co said.