ENVIRONMENT activist EcoWaste Coalition has recently raised an alarm regarding the sale of substandard Christmas lights as part of its ongoing efforts to promote a zero-waste and toxic-free observance of the yuletide season.
In support of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) campaign against unauthorized Christmas lights, the EcoWaste Coalition conducted test buys on November 18 and 19 in Manila’s Binondo district and Libertad, Pasay City.
The DTI has consistently reminded consumers to check for the Philippine Standard (PS) mark or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker before purchasing Christmas lights. This is because uncertified products may not meet the necessary quality and safety standards.
Out of the 15 Christmas lights sets purchased for prices ranging from P100 to P250, 10 of them lacked the required PS mark or ICC sticker. Additionally, two of these uncertified products were unlabelled.
The absence of a PS mark or ICC sticker indicates that the product has not undergone the mandatory certification process by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (PBS). It is worth noting that Christmas lights fall under the government’s certification scheme for various products.
Using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, the EcoWaste Coalition also discovered the presence of lead, a toxic chemical, in eight out of the 15 products tested. Lead poses significant risks to the environment and human health.
Furthermore, the green cables of the nine products were found to contain lead in amounts ranging from 3,220 to 8,440 parts per million (ppm). These levels exceed the 1,000 ppm limit established by the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) for all electrical and electronic products.
The RoHS sets specific limits for restricted substances in electrical and electronic products, including heavy metals such as cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury, as well as flame retardant chemicals and certain phthalates.
The RoHS warns that these restricted materials are hazardous to the environment and contribute to landfill pollution. They also pose risks in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling processes.
In response to these findings, the EcoWaste Coalition has called on DTI offices nationwide to intensify their monitoring of uncertified Christmas lights sold both in physical stores and online platforms. This is to safeguard human health and the environment.
The group also emphasizes the importance of consumers exercising their basic rights to product information and protection against defective, unsafe, and hazardous products that could potentially cause injury, illness, or property damage.
“Choose Christmas lights with a valid PS mark or ICC sticker for the safety of your family this festive season,” advises the EcoWaste Coalition. “It’s better to be safe than sorry later.”
By being vigilant and informed consumers, we can contribute to a safer and more environmentally friendly holiday season.
Source: The Manila Times
