The Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) has issued 40,855 licenses, permits, authorities, and accreditation in 2022, representing a 10 percent average increase from the processed applications and issued permits in 2021 and 2020.
FTEB, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, is the implementing arm mandated to regulate businesses; handle complaints and provide redress; conduct market surveillance to determine price and supply availability; and enforce trade and industry laws including compliance to standards.
FTEB in a statement said it received 27,947 complaints, down 10 percent decrease from the complaints received in 2021, mostly COVID-19 related concerns.
Out of the complaints received, the FTEB processed 5,687 cases under its jurisdiction, of which 5,070 were resolved.
FTEB monitoring teams inspected 750 supermarkets and groceries in the National Capital Region to check the price and availability of supply of basic necessities and prime commodities as well as the firms’ compliance with the latest suggested retail price bulletin.
FTEB monitoring and enforcement teams checked 19,680 firms’ compliance with Trade and Industry Laws which resulted in the issuance of show cause orders and notices of violation to non-compliant firms.
The ramped-up monitoring and enforcement cracked down on uncertified products worth P68.54 million.
The 839 percent leap in last year’s confiscation of uncertified products takes account of the heightened COVID-19 restrictions in 2021 which imposed limitations on both businesses and government operations.
