Raw materials, finished items should be under ’mandatory standards’

Raw materials, finished items should be under ’mandatory standards’
03 November 2011


Philippines Cement manufacturers have asked the Department of Trade and Industry to impose mandatory standards on its raw materials including producers of finished products that make significant use of cement to ensure quality standards are being followed.

DTI Undersecretary for consumer welfare Zenaida C. Maglaya told reporters this was raised by Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) during a meeting last week.

According Maglaya, CeMAP would like raw materials ’ fly ash and aggregates ’ be placed under mandatory standards after complaints of infrastructures having ’chipped off’ parts because of substandard fly ash and aggregates. Fly ash is blended with mix cement for ready-mix concrete supplies. CeMAP said it will take years to find out the impact of poor quality fly ash.

’We are asking CeMAP to submit their study because this is a technical issue,’ Maglaya said.
Maglaya explained that the raw materials for cement are under the Philippine National Standards and are voluntary in nature.

Being voluntary, Maglaya said, the responsibility lies on the end manufacturer although this can still be raised before the DTI.
Published under Cement News