The Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) has prevented the sale and distribution of substandard circuit-breakers imported from China for being substandard.
The products, which are covered by the BPS, were found non-conforming to the inverse time-delay operation and marking requirements of Philippine National Standard (PNS) 1573-2:1997 during an independent product testing.
The inverse time-delay operation requirement measures the duration of how long before a circuit-breaker trips or cuts off the flow of electricity once subjected to overload conditions. This requirement reflects one of the main purposes of circuit-breakers, which is to interrupt the electric current to prevent circuits from overheating, which could eventually lead to an electrical fire and ultimately, damage to life, and property.
DTI-BPS witnessed the destruction and disposal of the substandard imported circuit-breakers at the importer’s warehouse in Valenzuela City last May.
Circuit-breakers are among the 111 products and systems currently covered under the BPS’ Mandatory Product Certification Schemes (www.bps.dti.gov.ph/product-certification/list-of- productsunder-mandatory-certification). Regulated products are classified into electrical and electronic products; mechanical/building and construction materials; and chemical and other consumer products and systems.
The DTI-BPS implements two mandatory product certification schemes: the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Certification Mark Licensing Scheme; and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Certification Scheme.
Products covered by the mandatory certification, whether locally manufactured or imported, are not allowed to be distributed in the Philippine market without PS or ICC marks.
For more updates and information on standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures, visit the BPS website at www.bps.dti.gov.ph. Emails and messages may also be sent to [email protected] or through the official BPS Facebook page (facebook.com/PHstandards). – Press release
