Ahead of the holiday shopping rush, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) confiscated P25.3 million worth of non-compliant household appliances during an enforcement operation in Malabon City on 15 December, as part of its continued nationwide efforts to protect consumers.

Based on the report, the seized 14,704 items included high-demand holiday items such as electric rice cookers, fans, ovens, juicers and kettles.

The operation was initiated by a DTI online test-buy that flagged the products as potentially hazardous.

Moreover, a subsequent onsite inspection confirmed that the items lacked mandatory Philippine Standard (PS) marks, Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers, and proper manufacturer labeling, resulting in the immediate issuance of a Notice of Violation for failure to meet safety regulations.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the crackdown reinforces the government’s resolve to hold sellers accountable for violating product safety standards, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to protect consumers.

“The holiday season is a time when families make purchases for their homes and buy gifts for loved ones. They deserve the peace of mind that comes with safe and reliable products. To ensure this, the DTI is intensifying nationwide inspections to keep unsafe and uncertified appliances out of the market,” Roque said.

The Malabon operation forms part of the DTI’s broader enforcement efforts under the E-Kalasag program, which has operated nationwide since April 2024 to strengthen market surveillance and compliance with technical regulations.