Consumers’

Product Visual Inspection

• The DTI-BPS enjoins the consumers to scrutinize
the Christmas lights they buy for product
Don’t forget to look for the
reliability and safety.
• A set’s wire shall have an outside diameter size of
1.5 mm.
PS and ICC marks Guide
for safe and reliable
Christmas lights.
Consumers’ Guide
PRODUCT QUALITY
AND SAFETY

x
ICC No. YYYY/ MMYY

• A set’s plug has firm pins which are not easily bent.
PS mark ICC mark

BUREAU OF PRODUCT STANDARDS

Department of Trade and Industry
3F Trade and Industry Bldg.,

Christmas lights
361 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City

x Telephone numbers: (632) 751.4740, 751.4736

Facsimile number: (632) 751.4748
Email address: bps@dti.gov.ph
Website: www.bps.dti.gov.ph

Printed May 2008

 Christmas Lights
Product Types and Parts
• Christmas lights are classified according to use -
indoor or outdoor.
• The DTI-BPS only checks the quality and safety
requirements of the lights for indoor use.
• A set of lights has the following parts and
functions:
§ Flasher unit – acts as the controller of flashing
(blinking) and selection of music
§ Lampholder - holds the lamp or LED to provide a
connection to the power supply
§ Lamps/LED – acts as the source of light
§ Plug – provides connection to the outlet
§ Outlet – provides extension of connection to
the power supply
§ Design frame – acts as support to the lighting
chain to form a desired shape
§ Tinsel – additional design on the Christmas lights
Product for Mandatory Certification
• Christmas lights are regulated by the Department
of Trade and Industry (DTI).
• Manufacturers and importers of Christmas lights
should apply for a Philippine Standard (PS) license
and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC)
certificate, respectively, before the products are
distributed and sold.
• The DTI - Bureau of Product Standards (BPS)
acquires a sample of the Christmas lights for
inspection and testing based on the Philippine
National Standard (PNS) 189:2000.
Product with the PS or ICC Mark
• Only manufacturers and importers whose
products passed the PNS requirements will be
issued with the PS license and ICC certificate by
the DTI-BPS.
• Only manufacturers and importers with valid
licenses and certificates are allowed to use the
PS and ICC marks on their products.
Product Labels Based on PNS 189:2000
Tinsel
The following are the required markings on the
package of Christmas lights based on the PNS
189:2000:
Lamp
• Name of manufacturer/supplier/distributor,
Lampholder address and trademark
• Rated voltage and rated wattage of the set
• Rated voltage and rated wattage of the lamp
• The mark “For indoor use only”
• The number of standard used - PNS 189:2000
• The batch/lot number or bar codes
• Country of origin
• PS mark for locally-produced sets
• ICC mark for imported sets
• Suitable warnings such as:
§ Disconnect from supply before removing or
Wire inserting any lamp.
§ Avoid damage to insulation.
§ To avoid risk of overheating, failed lamps shall
be replaced immediately by lamps of the same
Outlet
rated voltage and wattage.
§ A fuse lamp (identified by being partially
Plug white), if incorporated, must not be replaced
by a normal (non-fuse) lamp.
§ Do not cascade/attach more than the
recommended sets of Christmas lights.
Normally, only three sets are allowed to avoid
overloading.
§ Do not overload electrical outlets. Too many
plugs in one outlet may create enough heat to
start a fire.
§ Carefully check each set of lights for signs of
socket damage, frayed or scorched wire, loose
Design frame
connections or damaged plugs.