DTI Bulacan conducts quality management system seminar for pyrotechnic sector

By Vinson F. Concepcion

Thursday 21st of June 2012

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, June 21 (PIA) -- Out of 200 pyrotechnics manufacturers in Bulacan, only 27 attended the Quality Management System (QMS) Appreciation Seminar for Pyrotechnics sector conducted by Department of Trade and Industry – Bulacan.

It was held yesterday, June 20 at the Malolos Resort Club Royale to address problems on pyrotechnic-related incidents.

DTI Bulacan director Zorina Aldana said the main objective of the activity is to improve the quality and safety of pyrotechnics products.

Aldana added that participants are expected to be aware of the importance of QMS in their production of fireworks and pyrotechnics products and be able to prepare production manual which is a requirement for the issuance of QMS certification.

“We would like to create awareness among manufacturers on the need to comply with the standards and be issued certification from the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS),” said Aldana.

James Santiago, division chief of DTI Bulacan said, at present, there is an estimated P38 million pesos worth of pyrotechnics products produced yearly in the area.

Pyrotechnics industry refers to the manufacture, distribution, and sales of fireworks and firecrackers. The pyrotechnic manufacturing industry in the Philippines is concentrated in Region 3 specifically in Bocaue and neighboring municipalities in the province of Bulacan.

In 1999, the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board sought the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on the proper use and handling of chemicals, standardization, and quality upgrading of pyrotechnic products.

Initial studies to evaluate the quality and performance of some firecrackers shows that products vary and do not conform in accordance with the standards established by the Philippine National Standards (PNS) on Pyrotechnics due to crude manufacturing technology being employed and lack of quality control on the part of the manufacturers.

The varying quality of finished products is one of the major factors causing serious injuries and inevitably deaths to the users, consumers of fireworks and firecrackers. (CLJD/VFC-PIA3)