DTI Undertakes Safety Seal Application in Metro Manila

The Department of Trade Industry (DTI) undertook the Safety Seal Certification application of various business establishments in the National Capital Region (NCR) starting last 15 May 2021.

The Safety Seal Certification Program is an inter-agency effort of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that was launched last 23 April 2021.

According to the signed DOLE-DOH-DILG-DOT-DTI Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 21-01 Series of 2021, otherwise known as the Implementing Guidelines of the Safety Seal Certification Program, a business firm may apply for the said seal if their store or workplace strictly follows and implements the Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) set by the government through the proper wearing of face shields and face masks, having good ventilation, conducting regular disinfection, and by using the StaySafe.ph contact tracing application system.

As of 16 June 2021, the DTI already received 328 Safety Seal applications; 102 or 31% of which were approved and another 31% are for validation, while 124 or 37% were denied since their business classifications are under the other implementing agencies.  51% of the approved applications came from the groceries, supermarkets, membership shopping clubs followed by the barbershops and salons with 42% and 7% representing the rest of the establishments under the DTI’s jurisdiction under the said implementing guidelines.

Correspondingly, the DTI shall only issue Safety Seal to supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores, membership shopping clubs, construction supply or hardware stores, logistics service providers, barbershops and salons, and service and repair shops. The issued Safety Seal shall be conspicuously displayed at all entrance points of the business establishment according to prescribed dimensions.

“Through the Safety Seal Certification, we want to assure the consumers that it is safe to patronize these establishments and it is also one of our ways to help boost further the reopening of our economy,” said Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo.

The Safety Seal is valid for six (6) months from the date of issuance, except for those issued to tourism enterprises which shall be valid for one (1) year, and is renewable subject to continued compliance with the eligibility requirements set forth.

Learn more about the Safety Seal Certification Program through this link https://safetyseal.dti.gov.ph/ and to apply for a Safety Seal, please visit https://safetyseal.dti.gov.ph/apply.html