Section 17April 13, 1992, Sec./Art. 17

Powers, functions and duties. – In addition to their powers, functions and duties under existing laws, the concerned department shall have the following powers, functions and duties:

a) to administer and supervise the implementation of this Article and its implementing rules and regulations;

b) to undertake researches, develop and establish quality and safety standards for consumer products in coordination with other government and private agencies closely associated with these products;

c) to inspect and analyze consumer products for purposes of determining conformity to established quality and safety standards;

d) to levy, assess, collect and retain fees as are necessary to cover the cost of inspection, certification, analysis and tests of samples of consumer products and materials submitted in compliance with the provisions of this Article;

e) to investigate the causes of and maintain a record of product-related deaths, illnesses and injuries for use in researches or studies on the prevention of such product-related deaths, illnesses and injuries.

f) to accredit independent, competent non-government bodies, to assist in (1) monitoring the market for the presence of hazardous or non-certified products and other forms of violations of Article 18; and (2) other appropriate means to expand the monitoring and enforcement outreach of the department in relation to its manpower, testing and certification resources at a given time.

g) to accredit independent competent testing laboratories.

PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES