MANILA - Agents of the Department of Trade and Industry raided an appliance store and warehouse in Plaridel, Bulacan and seized thousands of various appliances that were found to have no import commodity clearance certificate or Philippine Standards mark.

The recent enforcement resulted in the largest haul of DTI's Task Force Kalasag in its 3 months of operation with suspected substandard appliances worth almost P44 million.

According to DTI Director Fhilip Sawali, these confiscated items include TVs, aircons, electric fans, rice cookers, and many others that are believed to have been imported but with no ICC stickers.

DTI Asec Agaton Uvero says these imported appliances should have an ICC sticker for each item sold to prove that these have undergone tests to ensure consumers are buying appliances with standards. The DTI suspects that these appliances are being sold mainly online.

The DTI says these items are going to be confiscated first, pending the explanation of the owner who was not there in the warehouse when the raid was done.

A supervisor claimed that the company has ICC stickers but they only stick it once the item is sold.

SIGNIFICANCE OF ICC STICKER

DTI officials advise consumers to check if the appliances they are buying have ICC stickers to avoid incidents that may cause damage or fire in the household.

Some of the seized appliances were made in China and Korea, according to their packaging.  But without the ICC, the DTI is unable to determine if the items have indeed passed standard tests.

Each ICC sticker is assigned to a specific manufacturer or importer, which means that the stickers are not interchangeable.

DO CONSUMERS CARE?

Consumer Arnold Juat says his mother had previously bought a TV from an unknown brand.

While the TV is still working, its remote is almost torn.

He says if he had his way, he would choose branded appliances over unknown ones so that they will last and the quality is assured.

According to Juat, he always makes sure there is an ICC sticker on the things he buys like the motorcycle helmet he uses now.

As a consumer, Juat advises people to make sure that the appliances they buy are from well-known brands and have markings of government regulation to ensure it lasts and is safe to use for a longer time.