Bostik warns public vs fake sealant products

Sealants and adhesives manufacturer Bostik Philippines Inc. has warned the public about the proliferation of counterfeit products carrying the brand name of its popular elastomeric sealant brand.

"As these were made outside our manufacturing facilities, Bostik cannot guarantee its quality, thus jeopardizing the safety of structures where these counterfeit products were used," Bostik said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We appeal to the public to bring any suspected counterfeit Bostik product to our attention so we can assess and track the source of these fake elastomeric sealants that taint the name of our brands," the company said.

Bostik said it issued the warning after authorities confiscated fake products, carrying its brand, from vendors in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confiscated boxes of fake Bostik elastomeric sealants, it said.

NBI agents raided a hardware store after placing it under surveillance for retailing counterfeit Bostik products, and confiscated boxes of fake elastomeric sealants.

"The crackdown on counterfeit Bostik products continues as we validate tips and leads that we receive from different platforms. There will be no letup against these products that tarnish the reputation of our company," Bostik said.

"We thank our retailers and distributors for their continued support for our brand, and we assure them that the crackdown on counterfeit sealant adhesives carrying the name of our brands will be relentless," it added.

Bostik said charges of trademark infringement, among others, have been filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office.

The company said this was the second wave of legal action that the company mounted against individuals selling counterfeit Bostik products.

Early this year, the Manila City Prosecutor's Office recommended the filing of charges against three retailers who sold counterfeit Bostik elastomeric sealants at three separate locations in Binondo, Manila, according to Bostik.

Individuals who would be found guilty of trademark infringement could be imprisoned from two to five years and face a fine of P200,000 up to P500,000.

The company said it will continue to work with authorities to seize and remove counterfeit Bostik products from the market, as it encouraged the public to report the presence of suspected fake products. — VDV, GMA Integrated News