CEBU STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Main Campus, R. Palma St., Cebu City
COLLEGE OF ADVANCED STUDIES
Subject: Quality Control and Reliability Theory
Topic: Philippine Quality System
Professor: Dr. Eduardo Z. Alama
Reporter: Mauricio V. Gacho, Jr.
PHILIPPINE QUALITY STANDARD
Products offered for sale should not pose undue risk of physical harm to consumers or their families.
Consumers need sufficient information in order to choose wisely among the competing products and services available. The marketplace, however, contains a great many different and complex products, and advertising is usually not informative enough for consumer purposes. Therefore, consumers often lack the information required to compare the quality of various products and services, to determine their true cost, or to be assured of their suitability or safety.
Competition is the best regulator of the marketplace. According to this theory, when many companies are selling a product, the effort of each to attract more customers keeps prices at the lowest level that allows businesses to cover costs and make a fair profit. When a market is not competitive, sellers can set the price as high as they wish, up to the level where consumers simply will not buy the product.
A consumer who has been cheated or who has bought a product or service that does not perform properly has a right to seek a refund, replacement of the product, or other remedy. Sometimes, however, a buyer finds that the manufacturer or seller will not cooperate in resolving the complaint.
WHAT IS A STANDARD?
It is a practice, a norm, a law, a treaty, a covenant – these may all be considered as standards. Simply put, standards are rules to avoid disorder.
On the other hand, standardization refers to the process of formulating and applying standards to a specific activity. The process of establishing a common size and performance characteristics for steel bars is an example of standardization.
USES/BENEFITS OF STANDARDIZATION
The principal uses or benefits that can be derived from the use of standards are summed up as follows:
· Standards are a means of communicating ideas and technical data
A primary function of standards is to provide a means of communication. Standards unify understanding of technologies, symbols, marks, labels, codes.
· Standards promote overall economy in human effort, materials, and other resources in the production and exchange of goods.
The use of standards results in a more economic use of human effort, material, time, and other resources since work planning, production and management procedures are better simplified and controlled. Standards minimize unnecessary variety of processes, procedures, machines, supplies used. Variety control in finished products sees optimal usage of resources invested for their manufacture. Furthermore, with less differentiation in trading practices, the eventual benefits of lower costs coupled with higher productivity, improved sales and profits margins promise healthier viability for commercial projects.
· Standards define fitness for use
Property requirements and performance characteristics are laid down by standards to impart quality to a product representing a well-balanced consensus between the requirements of end-users and the capability of producers; standards contribute to wider acceptance and competitiveness of a product in its market.
Methods of inspection, sampling and testing are also prescribed to verity compliance of a product with standard specifications.
· Standards offer simplification
If you a photographer, the film fits into the camera wherever you buy the film. A 33 1/3 rpm phonograph disc, wherever manufactured, has a standard diameter and will fit in any turntable. Indeed, the complexities of life with the presence of many manufactured goods and components in different sizes, shapes and performance, are simplified by standards.
And because, standards communicate in concise and exact language, the advantage of interchangeability of component parts, assemblies, or complete products, make possible efficient mass production processes. Consequently, wastage of resources is avoided, therefore raising productivity.
· Standards protect consumers and community interests in general
Standards are prepared for the advantage of the public. They take the form of either regulations or specifications designed to impart information and to promote public health and safety.
A prime example of these is the use of standard labeling of products for health reasons. Informative labeling of goods helps consumers recognize quality goods. It also helps them make wiser decision in their purchases.
Examples of regulatory standards, which promote safety and protection of life, include fire regulations to be observed in the construction of buildings and in the installation of electric wiring.
As for critical products, such as processed food, fire fighting equipment, electrical products and construction materials, standards ensure a high degree of product reliability.
· Standards play an essential role in increasing world trade
The rapid advance in technology, which is taking place all over the world in conjunction with the growing economic aspirations of countries, have created a demand for new and updated standards for international use. Due to international standards, better communications stimulate a vast increase in the volume of goods traded between one country and another.
The presence of internationally harmonized, non-conflicting regulations and standards in different countries helps eliminate technical (non-tariff) barriers to trade among countries.
· Standards serve as vehicles for the transfer and application of technology from developed to developing countries
Standards operate as a vehicle for the transfer of technology, in that any international standards can be adopted as national standards in developing countries after taking into account the needs of their consumers and the capabilities of their industries. A firm basis is provided by standards in making meaningful use of new technology. Such arrangement leads to compatibility of industrial practices among different countries.
Which government agencies implement the Consumer Act and what are their areas of concern?
1. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
1.1 Consumer Product and Safety
1.2 Deceptive, Unfair and Unconscionable Sales Acts and Practices
1.3 Weights and Measures
1.4 Consumer Products and Service Warranties
1.5 Price Tag
1.6 Labeling and Packaging
1.7 Liability for Products and Services
1.8 Service and Repair Shops
1.9 Advertising and Sales Promotion
2. Department of Agriculture (DA)
Agricultural products
2.1 Quality and Safety
2.2 Labeling and Packaging
3. Department of Education (DepEd)
Consumer Education and Information
4. Department of Health (DOH)
Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics and Devices, and Hazardous Substances
4.1 Quality and Safety
4.2 Labeling and Packaging
4.3 Advertising and Sales Promotion
4.4 Price Tag
5. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Consumer Credit Transactions Extended by Banks and Other Financial Intermediaries
6. Local Government (Provincial, City or Municipal Treasurer)
6.1 Weights and Measures
6.2 Regulation of preparation and sale of meat, fresh fruits, poultry, milk, fish, vegetable, and other foodstuff for public consumption
What are the remedies available to consumers?
For Administrative Proceedings:
1.1 Replacement or repair of product or services
1.2 Refund of payment made
1.3 Restitution or rescission of contract; and
1.4 Reimbursement to complainant of amount spent in pursuing the complaint.
For Civil/Criminal Action:
2.1 Civil Action
Award of Damages
Replacement or repair of products or services
Refund of payment made
Restitution or rescission of contract; and
Reimbursement to complainant of amount spent in pursuing the complaint
2.2 Criminal Action
Imprisonment or payment of fine or both, at the discretion of the court.
Main Campus, R. Palma St., Cebu City
COLLEGE OF ADVANCED STUDIES
Subject: Quality Control and Reliability Theory
Topic: Philippine Quality System
Professor: Dr. Eduardo Z. Alama
Reporter: Mauricio V. Gacho, Jr.
PHILIPPINE QUALITY STANDARD
Products offered for sale should not pose undue risk of physical harm to consumers or their families.
Consumers need sufficient information in order to choose wisely among the competing products and services available. The marketplace, however, contains a great many different and complex products, and advertising is usually not informative enough for consumer purposes. Therefore, consumers often lack the information required to compare the quality of various products and services, to determine their true cost, or to be assured of their suitability or safety.
Competition is the best regulator of the marketplace. According to this theory, when many companies are selling a product, the effort of each to attract more customers keeps prices at the lowest level that allows businesses to cover costs and make a fair profit. When a market is not competitive, sellers can set the price as high as they wish, up to the level where consumers simply will not buy the product.
A consumer who has been cheated or who has bought a product or service that does not perform properly has a right to seek a refund, replacement of the product, or other remedy. Sometimes, however, a buyer finds that the manufacturer or seller will not cooperate in resolving the complaint.
WHAT IS A STANDARD?
It is a practice, a norm, a law, a treaty, a covenant – these may all be considered as standards. Simply put, standards are rules to avoid disorder.
On the other hand, standardization refers to the process of formulating and applying standards to a specific activity. The process of establishing a common size and performance characteristics for steel bars is an example of standardization.
USES/BENEFITS OF STANDARDIZATION
The principal uses or benefits that can be derived from the use of standards are summed up as follows:
· Standards are a means of communicating ideas and technical data
A primary function of standards is to provide a means of communication. Standards unify understanding of technologies, symbols, marks, labels, codes.
· Standards promote overall economy in human effort, materials, and other resources in the production and exchange of goods.
The use of standards results in a more economic use of human effort, material, time, and other resources since work planning, production and management procedures are better simplified and controlled. Standards minimize unnecessary variety of processes, procedures, machines, supplies used. Variety control in finished products sees optimal usage of resources invested for their manufacture. Furthermore, with less differentiation in trading practices, the eventual benefits of lower costs coupled with higher productivity, improved sales and profits margins promise healthier viability for commercial projects.
· Standards define fitness for use
Property requirements and performance characteristics are laid down by standards to impart quality to a product representing a well-balanced consensus between the requirements of end-users and the capability of producers; standards contribute to wider acceptance and competitiveness of a product in its market.
Methods of inspection, sampling and testing are also prescribed to verity compliance of a product with standard specifications.
· Standards offer simplification
If you a photographer, the film fits into the camera wherever you buy the film. A 33 1/3 rpm phonograph disc, wherever manufactured, has a standard diameter and will fit in any turntable. Indeed, the complexities of life with the presence of many manufactured goods and components in different sizes, shapes and performance, are simplified by standards.
And because, standards communicate in concise and exact language, the advantage of interchangeability of component parts, assemblies, or complete products, make possible efficient mass production processes. Consequently, wastage of resources is avoided, therefore raising productivity.
· Standards protect consumers and community interests in general
Standards are prepared for the advantage of the public. They take the form of either regulations or specifications designed to impart information and to promote public health and safety.
A prime example of these is the use of standard labeling of products for health reasons. Informative labeling of goods helps consumers recognize quality goods. It also helps them make wiser decision in their purchases.
Examples of regulatory standards, which promote safety and protection of life, include fire regulations to be observed in the construction of buildings and in the installation of electric wiring.
As for critical products, such as processed food, fire fighting equipment, electrical products and construction materials, standards ensure a high degree of product reliability.
· Standards play an essential role in increasing world trade
The rapid advance in technology, which is taking place all over the world in conjunction with the growing economic aspirations of countries, have created a demand for new and updated standards for international use. Due to international standards, better communications stimulate a vast increase in the volume of goods traded between one country and another.
The presence of internationally harmonized, non-conflicting regulations and standards in different countries helps eliminate technical (non-tariff) barriers to trade among countries.
· Standards serve as vehicles for the transfer and application of technology from developed to developing countries
Standards operate as a vehicle for the transfer of technology, in that any international standards can be adopted as national standards in developing countries after taking into account the needs of their consumers and the capabilities of their industries. A firm basis is provided by standards in making meaningful use of new technology. Such arrangement leads to compatibility of industrial practices among different countries.
Which government agencies implement the Consumer Act and what are their areas of concern?
1. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
1.1 Consumer Product and Safety
1.2 Deceptive, Unfair and Unconscionable Sales Acts and Practices
1.3 Weights and Measures
1.4 Consumer Products and Service Warranties
1.5 Price Tag
1.6 Labeling and Packaging
1.7 Liability for Products and Services
1.8 Service and Repair Shops
1.9 Advertising and Sales Promotion
2. Department of Agriculture (DA)
Agricultural products
2.1 Quality and Safety
2.2 Labeling and Packaging
3. Department of Education (DepEd)
Consumer Education and Information
4. Department of Health (DOH)
Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics and Devices, and Hazardous Substances
4.1 Quality and Safety
4.2 Labeling and Packaging
4.3 Advertising and Sales Promotion
4.4 Price Tag
5. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Consumer Credit Transactions Extended by Banks and Other Financial Intermediaries
6. Local Government (Provincial, City or Municipal Treasurer)
6.1 Weights and Measures
6.2 Regulation of preparation and sale of meat, fresh fruits, poultry, milk, fish, vegetable, and other foodstuff for public consumption
What are the remedies available to consumers?
For Administrative Proceedings:
1.1 Replacement or repair of product or services
1.2 Refund of payment made
1.3 Restitution or rescission of contract; and
1.4 Reimbursement to complainant of amount spent in pursuing the complaint.
For Civil/Criminal Action:
2.1 Civil Action
Award of Damages
Replacement or repair of products or services
Refund of payment made
Restitution or rescission of contract; and
Reimbursement to complainant of amount spent in pursuing the complaint
2.2 Criminal Action
Imprisonment or payment of fine or both, at the discretion of the court.
