The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reinforced market safety and product standards by seizing ₱1.6M worth of uncertified deformed steel bars in a wholesale hardware store in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. The move is also in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure only safe and compliant construction materials reach consumers.
A total of 12,525 units of the said products were sealed in the premises for bearing “No BPS Approved Logo”, in violation of the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) requirement for products under mandatory certification to secure and display Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Mark, or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Stickers.
Led by the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), the operation prompted the issuance of a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the erring firm, requiring it to submit an explanation within 48 hours.
DTI FTEB emphasized that uncertified steel bars pose risks to life and property, especially when used in housing and construction projects.
“There is a reason why deformed steel bars are under mandatory certification: to ensure that our homes are safe, strong, and of quality. We cannot allow violative and non-compliant products to remain in the market, threatening the safety of Filipino households and benefitting businesses who fail or refuse to secure certification,” FTEB said.
The operation was conducted in coordination with DTI Region 3 as part of the DTI’s E-Kalasag Project to strengthen nationwide monitoring and enforcement activities.
In 2025, DTI seized a total of 98,947 pieces of deformed steel bars worth ₱24 million nationwide, in close coordination with its field offices, steel manufacturers, and industry partners for a whole-of-government approach to regulate steel products and enforce fair trade laws across the country.
