An environmental watch dog group in the Philippines is urging the government to take action to prevent cheap and substandard quality LED bulbs from proliferating the market.

The EcoWaste Coalition found 20 LED bulb brands being sold in Philippines bargain shopping retail center Divisoria had incomplete and questionable product labels, some which were found misleading.

“The lack of regulatory standards makes our country an easy target for inferior quality LED lights that are getting dumped in Divisoria, the country’s bargain shopping hub,” said Thony Dizon, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect.

The 20 LED brands in the Philippines found by The Ecowaste Coalition to lack proper LED labels. (Photo Courtesy of The EcoWaste Coalition)

Dizon urged the Filipino government to enforce regulations to enforce LED product performance, quality and safety standards to protect people and the environment as the lights gain traction in the local market.

He also recommended the government to compile a checklist to help consumers identify and avoid counterfeited LEDs.

The group purchased 20 LED light bulb brands from retailers at 11/88, 168 and 999 Shopping Malls and the Lucky Chinatown Mall Annex with prices as low as 40 pesos (US $0.87) per piece.

Samples purchased included Admin, Bayanko, CATA, GaoGa, Hetachi, Hua Mei, HXS, Kevico, LED Bulb Lamp, LED High Power Lamp, LHT, Ocho, Okes, Onestar, OTO, Rohstar, Star, Sunrise, XQG and XinMey LED products.

The group presented its findings at a “Lamp Waste Management Forum” held at the De La Salle University recently, and noted none of the 20 brands provided basic information about the manufacturer, importer, distributor on the product labels, which they considered a red flag for counterfeit goods.

On the 20 samples, the manufacturers labelled the products energy savings ranged from 80% to 90% less consumption, long lifespan from 10,000 hours to 50,000 hours, and labelled other health benefits including the lack of mercury, IR, and UV radiation.

False product performance claims were also highlighted. The front of the product package labelled 10,000 hours lifetime, while on the side 50,000 hours. Other products claimed it was compliant with EU’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS).

Another issue the group noted was some products offered one to two year product warranties but did offer clearly documented warranty terms.