Key Incident
During routine quality checks in June 2025, the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) flagged a batch of imported rubber inner tubes for motorcycles as safety hazards. The shipment—19,499 units valued at ₱500,000 (approx. ¥500,000)—failed third-party lab tests conducted by SGS Philippines. Critical performance metrics like tensile strength and elongation rate fell short of Philippine National Standards (PNS 25:2020), raising risks of blowouts during operation.
Enforcement Action
Immediate Re-export: DTI mandated full return to the country of origin under the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394), blocking entry into local markets.
Policy Logic: "This isn’t just about seizures," stated DTI Secretary Cristina Roque. "We’re enforcing a zero-tolerance stance on substandard parts while letting businesses recover residual value—a balanced strike-hard approach."
Broader Crackdown: Since 2024, DTI’s 12 targeted operations have netted ₱20+ million (¥2M+) in defective motorcycle components, including brake pads and wheel bearings.
Industry Context
With 8 million registered motorcycles serving as primary transport for Filipino workers, DTI prioritizes part safety through:
PNS Certification: Mandatory lab tests for wear resistance, heat tolerance, and pressure retention;
Secondhand Tire Ban: Executive Order 1086 prohibits recycled tires except for commercial retreading;
Import Compliance Checks: ICC clearance tags required since 2023—non-compliant shipments face impoundment (e.g., 2024’s ₱44M seized uncertified electronics).
