The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has seized an estimated ₱2.08 million worth of substandard construction materials from 24 retail establishments during an enforcement operation conducted on Tuesday, October 7, as part of its intensified campaign to rid the market of uncertified and unsafe products.
A total of 10,369 pieces of steel products and plywood were confiscated for violating Republic Act No. 4109 (Product Standards Law) and Republic Act No. 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines). The seized items reportedly lacked the required Philippine Standard (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks, while some steel products were sold below standard weight, posing potential safety hazards to consumers.
Following the inspections, the DTI issued Notices of Violation (NOVs) to four firms, which were given 48 hours upon receipt to explain their non-compliance.
The operation was led by the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) in partnership with the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI)—an alliance aimed at strengthening market surveillance and regulatory enforcement against trade malpractices.
“This is only the beginning of our collaborative efforts with industry associations,” the DTI-FTEB said in a statement. “Under our agreement, these industries report to the DTI possible violative sales, and in turn, we act on these endorsements as the Department’s regulatory body.”
The DTI–FPI partnership focuses on the monitoring and regulation of key construction and industrial products such as steel bars, angle bars, cement, batteries, and wood, with enforcement activities concentrated in Metro Manila, Region III, and Region IV-A.
From January to August 2025, the DTI has already confiscated more than ₱6.3 million worth of substandard and uncertified construction materials and automotive batteries across the country.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to expand enforcement operations and partnerships with the private sector and watchdog groups to protect consumers, ensure product integrity, and promote fair competition in the domestic market.