MANILA, Philippines - To prevent uncertified imported products from penetrating the local market, the Department of Trade and Industry, through the Bureau of Product Standards, has tapped the National Printing Office to come out with tamper-proof Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers.

DTI-BPS Director Victorio Mario Dimagiba said that the DTI had improved the security features of the Philippine ICC mark.

?The department improves the security features of the ICC mark to curb, if not eliminate, the proliferation of uncertified products in the market and, at the same time, protect consumers from unscrupulous businesses that are imitating the ICC mark so as to increase sales and earn more profits,? he said in a statement.

He related that the new ICC sticker included the ICC logo, which would contain the corresponding ICC number with the serialized numbering system, the month and year of issuance of the ICC certificate, a textured print of the ICC mark in silver, and a hidden message when the ICC sticker is peeled.

The NPO said these stickers were tamper-proof, as they were printed on special holographic security film.

Under DTI rules, imported products have to undergo the department?s mandatory product certification process to be able to enter the domestic market.

Products that pass the safety and quality tests based on the Philippine National Standards are issued ICC certificates.

ICC-certified importers are then authorized to affix the ICC sticker on their products?a quality-assurance seal for consumers.

Products that should go through the mandatory certification process include construction materials, automotive products, household appliances, lamps and related products and wiring devices.