AS the 12.12 online shopping sales frenzy sweeps the country, environmental group EcoWaste Coalition has called on government regulators to intensify efforts against the illegal sale of hazardous products on e-commerce and social media platforms.
“To protect public health and the environment, we urge our environmental, health, and trade regulators to do more to remove online listings of banned and restricted chemicals and products,” said Aileen Lucero, EcoWaste Coalition’s national coordinator.
Lucero pointed to Singapore’s recent crackdown as a model, where authorities removed 3,336 illegal product listings and issued 1,471 warnings to non-compliant sellers in a coordinated effort with platforms such as Amazon, Facebook, Lazada, and TikTok.
“If Singapore can do it, we believe we can too,” Lucero said, emphasizing the existing Philippine laws and regulations that can be enforced to curb the sale of harmful goods.
EcoWaste Coalition highlighted examples of dangerous products readily available online in the Philippines, including banned Goree cosmetics containing mercury, a neurotoxin.
The group also flagged the sale of mercury-laced medical devices, mercury for dental use, and items for mineral processing, all in violation of Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 22-01, which prohibits the sale of unapproved or hazardous products.
The group urged stronger collaboration between government agencies, e-commerce platforms, and civil society to ensure consumer safety.
“If we can replicate Singapore’s approach, the online marketplace will be much safer,” Lucero said.
