Philippine Retailing 2019 Q3 *New format! | Page 9

9 PHILIPPINE RETAILING RETAIL NEWS CAPSULE Eco-group urges gov’t to intensify crackdown on establishments selling unlabeled, mislabeled toys Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition has made the call to the government after the long-delayed Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10620, or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act of 2013 finally took effect. The group discovered that unlabeled and mislabeled toys are being bought by the consumers depriving them with “an essential tool to ascertain which toys are suitable and safe for children to play with’’. This was unraveled after EcoWaste examined 27 toys for compliance to Rule 1 of RA 10620’s IRR regarding the general labeling requirements for toys and games manufactured locally or internationally that are imported, exported, donated, distributed and sold in the Philippines. As stipulated in Rule 1 of the IRR, the following information are required in toy and game labels: license to operate (LTO) number issued by the FDA; age grading; cautionary statements/warnings; instructional literature; manufacturer’s marking; and item, model, stock-keeping unit (SKU) number. Manila Bulletin, 8/6/2019 DTI sees e-commerce share to GDP rising to 50% by 2022 As more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and internet users engage in e-commerce, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is seeking to double the contribution of electronic commerce to the country’s economy by 2022. DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez cited other neighboring countries which are already doing all payments and even small transactions in the mobile phones. He also sees 100,000 MSMEs engaging in e-commerce in the next three years, noting that over 30,000 sari-sari stores (community stores) in the barangay level have capabilities for e-wallet loading and transferring of funds. Image source: www.pexels.com In 2016, the DTI launched the E-Commerce Roadmap 2016-2020, a five-year initiative to spur E-commerce growth in the country. Philippine News Agency, 8/7/2019 Image source: www.pexels.com