Buy Christmas lights with ICC marks, advises DTI

PIA Press Release
2010/12/02

Buy Christmas lights with ICC marks, advises DTI

Iloilo City (2 December) -- The Department of Trade and Industry-Iloilo reminded Ilonggos anew to be meticulous when buying their Christmas lights to ensure a safe and festive holiday season.

DTI-Iloilo Business Regulation and Consumer Welfare Officer-in-Charge Judith Degala advised Ilonggos to buy only Christmas lights with Import Commodity Clearance or ICC marks issued from 2008 to 2010.

The ICC marks, according to Degala are printed in stickers, not pre-printed in the packaging. These must bear the unique serial number for the shipment and the manufacturer or importer's name for traceability.

"Christmas lights with no ICC marks are not safe since they are considered to have not passed the Bureau of Product Standards safety and quality standard requirements", said Degala.

She also urged the public to report establishments selling Christmas lights with no ICC marks to the nearest DTI office or text DTI and send to 2920 for Globe and Smart.

Degala said that Christmas lights with no ICC marks will be confiscated and formal charges will be filed against violators under the product standards law for selling imported items without proper markings.

"Christmas lights for indoor use must not be used outdoors and vice versa and not to cascade/attach more than the recommended sets of Christmas lights to avoid electrical overloading," Degala further said. (PIA)