Contrary to the recent statement made by a product standards and quality group that government has failed to take action against retailers and manufacturers of substandard steel, the Department of Trade and Industry suspended the Philippine Standard (PS) licenses of six steel manufacturers in 2019 for failing the independent test commissioned by the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) from the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC).
The manufacturers are Maxima Steel Mills Corp., Henro Steel Corp., Steel Asia Manufacturing Corp.-Meycauayan Bulacan Plant, Cathay Metal Corp., Somico Steel Mill Corporation, and Sagarthama Steel Trading Corporation.
The suspension order resulted from unannounced surveillance audits conducted by the BPS in 2019 on various steel manufacturing plants in the country.
Samples culled from these audits that were subjected to testing by the MIRDC proved that these six steel manufacturers were not compliant with the standards indicated in Philippine National Standard (PNS) 49, s. 2002. Until these steel manufacturers comply with the PNS, their PS licenses will remain suspended.
The BPS also denied the issuance of Import Commodity Clearances (ICC) for deformed steel bars and equal leg angle bars imported by Megawide Construction Corporation, Petron Corporation, and Remington Industrial Sales Corporation, approximately valued at over P68,000,000.
The deformed steel bars imported by Megawide Construction Corporation were denied issuance of ICC due to non-compliance with PNS 49:2002 while those imported by Petron Corporation had no proper markings. Remington Industrial Sales Corporation, on the other hand, has no valid PS license for the importation of equal leg angle bars. All these imported steel bars were either destroyed or exported to their country of origin.
It can also be recalled that in September 2019, Wan Chiong Steel Corp. was found to be manufacturing deformed steel bars that are not covered by the scope of their PS license.
Dragon Asia Rolling Mills was also found to be manufacturing steel that are not covered by the scope of their PS license. Formal charge against the company has been filed by the FTEB and the case is now up for decision.
The DTI advised the public to remain vigilant when purchasing products, including steel and other construction materials by looking for the PS or ICC mark to be assured of quality and safety.
For the complete list of products that should bear the PS and ICC marks, visit www.bps.gov.ph. To report establishments selling uncertified and non-conforming products, call the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or email [email protected]. – DTI release
April 25, 2024
