The Department of Trade and Industry reminds anew the public to be always cautious in choosing the fireworks and firecrackers they buy.
The public are advised to look for the Philippine Standard (PS) mark when purchasing fireworks and firecrackers to be assured of the products safety when used according to instructions,” said Atty. Fel Lester Brillantes, legal officer and consumer welfare division chief, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), region 10, during the simultaneous inspection of fireworks in stores in Cagayan de Oro—Agora, Bulua, Carmen, Cogon and Puerto spearheaded by the Regional Task Force on Illegal Firecrackers (RTFIF), December 22.
Fireworks and firecrackers are under mandatory certification by the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) under the DTI.
Under the BPS Product Certification Scheme, manufacturers of fireworks are required to apply for PS license prior to distribution or sale of products.
In the absence of accredited testing laboratory, DTI-BPS conducts in-plant testing of fireworks to check its compliance with the said standard.
Only those manufacturers who comply with the requirements of the Philippine National Standard on fireworks (PNS 1220-2:1994) are issued with the PS license and are authorized to use the PS mark on their products.
With the same intentions against illegal and unsafe fireworks and firecrackers, the Philippine National Police (PNP), regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices as mandated in Republic Act 7183.
Meanwhile, the PNP has started monitoring the market for banned firecrackers such big triangle, super lolo and equivalents, mother rockets, OG, plapla, piccolo, pop-pop, watusi (per FED-PNP Memorandum dated January 17, 2002), Goodbye Philippines, other firecrackers/pyro devices that could endanger life and limb, unlabelled firecrackers/pyrotechnic devices and instructions attached, and imported firecrackers/pyrotechnic devices.
The list continues to grow so the PNP advices the public to be wary of the allowed specifications for fireworks to be sure that they are buying legal firecrackers.
For firecrackers, only .02 grams or 1/3 teaspoon of firework/gun powder is allowed per firecracker. Buyers should also check if the length of the fuse is too long or too short and if the powder mixes are right.
The Act also requires the manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to secure a license or permit prior to sale and distribution of their products and prohibits the sale of imported firecrackers.
Manufacturers or retailers found violating the RA 7183 shall be penalized with a minimum fine of P20,000.00 or imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than one year, or both, at the discretion of the court in addition to the cancellation of his license and business permit and the confiscation of inventory or stock.
Among those fireworks brands issued with PS license, Atty. Brillantes said are: Phoenix, Dragon and DGN.
The PS license issued to these companies are only for specific types of fireworks such as fountains, mines, hand-held sparklers, shells, bangers, party poppers, wheels, rockets, and excludes the products banned by the PNP.
Further, Brillantes reminds the public to not only search for the PS mark on the fireworks they buy but to also check the package for proper labels.
According to him, always check if the fireworks are properly labeled with name of the firework, classification and intended use, brand or trade name, name and address of manufacturer, and the words “Made in the Philippines.”
It should also specify the effects of the firework such as “Emits shower of spark,” and/or “Produces bangs,” and warning and precautionary signs such as “Keep away from eyes and skin,” “Do not put in mouth,” and “Use only under adult supervision.
And more importantly, use the product as per its specified appropriate instruction to avoid the risk of injury and damage to property. (EOR/PIA)
