Displaying items by tag: Bureau of Philippine Standards

Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry says that it is considering banning Bureau of Philippines Standards-certified companies’ cement from bearing the label ‘Made in the Philippines’ where it was produced in another country. The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines has complained that the labels constitute false advertising.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that any regulative action would follow a thorough review, but “offhand, if products are not really manufactured here, they cannot be labelled as ‘Made in the Philippines.’”

Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued supplemental guidelines for the certification of cement. The regulations require producers or importers to follow conditions set by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), according to the Manila Times newspaper. The new rules require producers or importers to post a bond ahead of trading. Non-compliance with the certification rules can then lead to a forfeit of some or all of the bond. Not following the regulations can also lead to a producer or importer being prevented from supplying, distributing, selling or displaying their products. The new rules specify that an importer should apply for a statement of confirmation (SOC) on a per product, per shipment, per bill of lading basis prior to its distribution in the market.

Philippines: The Philippine Cement Importers Association (PCIA) has offered its support for government plans for the pre-shipment testing of imported cement. It has also backed the Bureau of Philippine Standards’ (BPS) new department administrative order that requires mandatory certification of cement products, according to the Philippine Star newspaper. PCIA executive director Dani Enriquez said the draft administrative order was consistent with ISO standards and with the Key Principles and Obligations of the International Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade administered by the World Trade Organization.

However, chief executives from cement producers including Eagle Cement, Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Republic Cement, Cemex Philippines and Mabuhay Filcement, have opposed the proposed change in government import regulations. Some of the producers have favoured testing of imports upon arrival in the country instead.