DTI Kalinga starts issuing helmet ICC stickers

By Larry T. Lopez

Friday 3rd of August 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, Aug 3 (PIA) -- Motorcycle riders yesterday started flocking to the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry here to secure Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers for helmets.

DTI is up with its nationwide inspection and certification of helmets pursuant to Republic Act 10054 mandating all motorcycle riders to wear standard protective motorcycle helmets while driving.

Maria Cecile Baral of DTI-Kalinga office said DTI issues the ICC sticker to check on the quality and durability of motorcycle helmets under its product standardization mandate.

This is part of the department’s functions to regulate proliferation of fake products in the market, particularly on protective devices like helmets.

While the purpose of helmets is to provide protection to riders in cases of accidents, it is required that these must pass quality standard, Baral said.

Only helmets manufactured and acquired by riders before the enactment of RA 10054 are required ICC sticker since these do not bear yet ICC marks. New helmets are already marked, she said.

Because there is no manufacturer of helmets here here in the country, these are imported and as such, should pass the ICC standard.

Baral called on all motorcycle riders to comply with such requirement now to avoid the last minute rush.

The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has given motorcycle riders the period August 1 until December 31, 2012 to secure proper ICC stickers with DTI. Penalty for violation the Act shall be imposed January 1, 2013, Baral said.(JDP/LL-PIA CAR, Kalinga)