DTI: Register helmets early, get free ICC stickers

By Maria Teresa B. Benas

Wednesday 29th of August 2012

BANGUED, Abra, Aug. 29 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Abra urges motorcycle riders to register their helmets early to avail themselves of free Imported Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers given from August to September this year.

DTI Abra Provincial Director Arell F. Banez said Republic Act 1005 otherwise known as the Helmet Law, requires all motorists to wear helmet while driving primarily to protect the life and safety of motorists.

When implemented in January 2013, drivers wearing helmets without the ICC seal will be issued citation tickets and penalized.

The Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the DTI is in-charge of helmet inspection and issuance of ICC stickers. Helmets that do not pass the quality standards will not be issued an ICC sticker.

Banez said the ICC stickers are given free from August to September 2012 as incentive for those who register their helmets early. From October to December, registration fee of P101.25 will already be charged to defray the cost of the sticker.

Using quality helmet prevents serious head injuries during motorcycle accidents. The DTI, he said, inspects specific features of the helmets such as protective shell to ensure that it has no crack, the comfort padding inside the helmet, and the chin strap to ensure that the helmet is in place while the motorist is in motion.

The issuance of ICC sticker is likewise a security measure for the owners of the helmets because the helmets have control numbers as well. The control number serves as proof of ownership, he said.

The DTI only issues ICC stickers to old helmets as new ones sold in the market already bear the ICC mark, he said.

Banez warned the dealers of helmets to sell only those that have the ICC stickers, otherwise, they will be slapped a P25,000 to P150,000 fine. (JDP/MTBB-PIA CAR,Abra)