Policies on Christmas Lights/Lighting Chains Certification
The DTI Memorandum Circular No. 11-17 mandates the certification of Christmas lights and lighting chains to ensure consumer safety against substandard products. This certification follows the PNS 189:2000 standard and is applicable to all importers, who must secure a Certificate of Exemption for customs clearance. The Bureau of Philippine Standards will conduct random checks on shipments to verify compliance with safety requirements. Additionally, certain types of Christmas lights, such as those integral to decorations, are exempt from mandatory certification. The DTI will enhance market monitoring to prevent uncertified products from entering the market.
October 12, 2017
DTI MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 11-17
| TO | : | All Concerned Christmas Lights Manufacturers and Importers |
| SUBJECT | : | Policies on Christmas Lights/Lighting Chains Certification |
Pursuant to the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI's) Department Administrative Order (DAO) 04:2008 and 05:2008 and relevant implementing rules and regulations, the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) under its Product Certification Schemes is currently implementing mandatory certification for Christmas lights/lighting chains covered by PNS 189:2000.
With the anticipated increase of Christmas lights importation and market distribution leading up to the Christmas season and to further protect the consumers with regard to safety of Christmas lights, the BPS issues the following policies regarding the mandatory certification of Christmas lights/lighting chains consistent with the agreements made during the industry meeting held on 18 September 2017:
1. The mandatory certification of LED Christmas lights/lighting chains shall be implemented by the BPS using PNS 189:2000 as reference to protect the consumers from the proliferation of substandard LED Christmas lights in the local market.
2. For the year 2017, all Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) certificates for Christmas lights issued by BPS from 01 January 2013 to the present shall be valid.
3. All importers of Christmas lights with PS Mark license shall secure a Certificate of Exemption to facilitate the release of their shipment from the Bureau of Customs.
4. BPS shall randomly select shipment/s of Christmas lights with PS Mark license to verify compliance with the marking requirements. It is the prerogative of BPS to randomly draw samples for independent testing to ensure that the manufacturers maintain the compliance to PNS 189:2000. ATICcS
5. To further facilitate the market monitoring and enforcement, below are exempted from the mandatory certification scheme:
• Christmas lights integral in Christmas trees/decors
• Rope lights
• Meteor tube lights/stick lights/laser lights
• Christmas lights using Edison screw lampholder
• Battery operated Christmas lights
tag Other types may be exempted subject to further verification by the BPS.
Please be reminded that it is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that all Christmas lights/lighting chains are affixed with the appropriate Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers or Philippine Standard (PS) certification mark before distribution in the local market.
The Department of Trade and Industry, through the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) and the concerned Regional and Provincial Offices, will intensify the conduct of market monitoring and enforcement activities to ensure that uncertified Christmas lights will not proliferate in the market.
Attached is the list of BPS certified Christmas lights from 2013 to present for your reference. The BPS shall update the list from time to time and the list will be posted at www.bps.dti.gov.ph.
For strict compliance.
(SGD.) ASSISTANT SECRETARY ERNESTO V. PEREZOfficer-in-Charge, BPS