The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) intensifies its enforcement of product standards and trade laws to prevent economic losses and protect Filipino consumers.
In a report submitted to the DTI Secretary, the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB) said it confiscated more than P150 million worth of substandard products, including illegal vapes, to protect consumers and legitimate businesses.
“Not only is there increased consumer protection and awareness, but economic losses from health- and safety-related hazards have also been prevented with the removal of uncertified and dangerous consumer products from the market,” the FTEB said in the report.
The FTEB serves as the DTI’s regulatory and implementing arm in charge of enforcing compliance with various trade and industry laws.
The agency confiscated 423,077 products valued at P151.56 million as of Aug. 2, 2024. Of the total, 357,932 products worth P122 million violated technical regulations, while 65,145 vape units valued at P29.69 million broke the Vape Law.
The FTEB’s regular monitoring and enforcement activities in the National Capital Region were expanded nationwide and enhanced implementation under Department Order No. 24-56 which created Task Force Kalasag in March.
Task Force Kalasag conducted 12 enforcement rounds from April 22 to July 30 and inspected 1,804 stores. It is a composite team of technical staff from the FTEB and DTI regional offices, which became active in April 2024 to conduct nationwide monitoring and enforcement activities, ensuring businesses comply with technical and legal regulations affecting critical consumer commodities, including vape products.
The task force seized 421,670 products for violating product and safety standards and the Vape Law and issued 509 notices of violation.
“With a combined retail value of P147.68 million for all the products confiscated, set against the initial budget of P43 million for creating and mobilizing TFK, it is safe to say that DTI’s investment for heightened enforcement has paid off,” the FTEB said.
The FTEB said it monitored 1,611 retail firms, finding 1,186 compliant and 424 noncompliant. It issued 424 notices of violation and seized 356,525 products worth P117.99 million.
In enforcing Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vape Law, the FTEB monitored 193 vape shops, finding 99 compliant and 85 noncompliant. It issued 85 notices of violation and seized 65,145 vape products worth P29.69 million.
“In violation of RA 11900, as implemented by DAO No. 22-16: 2022, many of the vape stores, despite prohibitions, were found selling vape products with flavor descriptors and images that appeal to minors, and/or are located within 100 meters of activity areas frequented by minors,” the FTEB said.
The Task Force Kalasag’s biggest haul was a P24.86 million seizure in Parañaque City on April 23, 2024.
The DTI-FTEB’s online monitoring team inspected 94,739 online firms, issuing 494 show-cause orders and flagging 77,069 violative product listings, mostly on Facebook. Links or URLs on these platforms were removed or taken down.
The FTEB issued show cause orders to 494 online stores, including 285 on Facebook; 44 on Lazada; 85 on Shopee; 71 on TikTok; and nine company websites.
Of the 77,069 URLs/links removed as of Aug. 2, 2024, 49,393 were on Facebook; 18,869 on Lazada; 5,292 on Shopee; 1,782 on Instagram; 987 on Carousell; 740 on TikTok; nine on company websites with a complete address, and six on company websites with an incomplete address.
The FTEB said it works with the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Department of Education, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and 15 of 17 LGUs in the National Capital Region. It also partners with civil society groups.
