1. In accordance with the provisions of R.A. No. 4109, R.A. No. 7394, Executive Order No. 913, Series of 1983, DAO No. 02, Series of 2002, DAO No. 1, Series of 1997, DAO No. 5, Series of 2001, and Sec 10 (4), Title X, Book IV, of the Administrative Code of 1987, the following Philippine National Standard is hereby adopted for mandatory implementation:

 

PNS 193-2005 - Flat Glass-Specification

2. All manufacturers, distributors, importers and retailers of said product shall comply with the requirements of this standard.

3. A third party certification, known as the Product Certification Scheme of the DTI - Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), requires all manufacturers and importers of said product to secure a Philippine Standard (PS) License and an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC), respectively, prior to its distribution and sale.

4. The DTI-BPS shall promulgate implementing guidelines specifying implementing timetables, taking into consideration present inventory levels, production capabilities of industries, and testing capabilities of BPS and other testing institutions.

5. The implementation of this standard shall be done in proper coordination with the DTI Regional and Provincial Offices and the DTI - Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP).

6. All manufacturers, distributors, importers and retailers found not complying with these requirements shall be penalized in accordance with the provision for liabilities and penalties under RA 7394, EO 913 and DAO 02:2002.

7. All other orders or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Administrative Order are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

8. This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Adopted 16 May 2005

(SGD.) JUAN B. SANTOS
Acting Secretary

Recommended by:

(SGD.) JESUS L. MOTOOMULL
Bureau Director, BPS

MANDATORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION OF
Flat Glass under PNS 193:2005

REASONS WHY MANDATORY PRODUCT CERTIFICATION IS NECESSARY

1. Flat glass is known by its process of manufacture as sheet, polished plate glass, float or patterned glass having glossy, apparently plane and smooth surfaces. It is intended to be used primarily for mirrors, coatings, glazing, special application, and general architectural or similar uses.

2. Flat, like any other construction materials, must be available to the local consumers, in a form/state that consider the concerns on life, health, and safety. Such material must be within the right specification so as not to pose hazards to the consumers.

3. Since these Flat Glass is not regulated, stiff competition in the market exists. Quality and safety are sacrificed with cost.

4. Request from the local flat glass industry to regulate the flat glass, due to its recognition of the need to protect the consumers in order to address the customer complaints on the strength of glass considering that flat glass is a major material for construction. Most of these complaints are breakages on storage, handling and even during installations which are attributed to thickness below allowable tolerance, distortion beyond the acceptable levels and presence of blemishes or inclusions with sizes beyond the allowable limits.

5. The BPS Technical Committee on Glass and Glass Products (BPS/TC-28) developed PNS 193:2005, Flat Glass - Specification, and recommended to the BPS Director the mandatory implementation of the said product due to consumer complaints on the proliferation of substandard flat glass in the market.

6. The Flat Glass, with reference to the above PNS, is recommended for mandatory product certification to ensure consumer protection and to level the playing field for importers and manufacturers.

LIST OF MOST COMMON PRODUCTS THAT WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE MANDATORY CERTIFICATION

1. Float glass, clear and tinted
2. Patterned/Figured glass, clear and tinted
3. Sheet glass
4. Wired glass, clear and tinted
5. Polished plate glass, clear and tinted
6. Polished wired glass, clear and tinted

HOW MANDATORY CERTIFICATION WILL AFFECT THE MARKET

1. Only certified flat glass, whether locally manufactured or imported, shall be allowed to be distributed in the market.

2. Through mandatory product certification, the sale of uncertified and substandard flat glass that can endanger the life and safety of the consumers shall be prohibited.