DTI warns vs substandard motorcycle helmets

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reiterated its warning that the agency will strictly enforce the law against retailers and distributors who sell substandard motorcycle helmets.

Under Republic Act 10054 or Motorcycle Helmet Act, a new motorcycle helmet that bears the Philippine Standard (PS) mark or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) of the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) and complies with the standards set by the BPS shall be made available by every seller and/or dealer every time a new motorcycle unit is purchased and which the purchaser may buy at his option.

Failure of the seller or dealer to comply with the requirements is punishable with a fine of not less than P10,000 but not more than P20,000.

Any person who uses, sells and distributes substandard motorcycle helmets will be punished with a fine of not less than P3,000 for the first offense and P5,000 for the second offense.

Tampering, alteration, forgery and imitation of the PS mark and the ICC certificates in the helmets shall be punished with a fine of not less than P10,000 but not more than P20,000.

Starting Jan. 1, motorcycle drivers who are not wearing helmets with ICC stickers will be issued citation tickets and penalized according to the Helmet Act of 2009.