Most articles about SIRIM Type Approval standards and products only provide simple lists such as "electrical appliances must comply with MS IEC 60335". This article breaks away from this checklist-style writing to reveal the logic, risk considerations, and latest trends behind this system. Understanding these aspects will allow you to truly take control of compliance and create content with depth and uniqueness.

I. SIRIM Type Approval Standards

Certification standards are not isolated provisions but reflect the division of regulatory authority among different Malaysian government departments. The "jurisdiction" your product falls under determines its "standard compliance path".

Dimension 1: "Standard System" Classified by Regulatory Authority

1.Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) System: Governs all wireless and communication products.

·Core Logic: Ensure radio frequency spectrum is free from interference and devices can safely access networks.

·Key Standards and Testing Items: In addition to regular safety standards, radio frequency (RF) testing and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) evaluation are mandatory. Notably, since July 10, 2025, IPv6 protocol testing has been enforced for all network-enabled devices (including cellular products).

·Labeling Requirements: Certified products must display the MCMC triangular logo.

2.Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST) System: Governs most household and commercial electrical and electronic equipment.

·Core Logic: Protect consumer electrical safety and promote energy conservation and emission reduction.

·Key Standards and Testing Items: Based on electrical safety standards (e.g., MS IEC 60335 series for home appliances). High-energy-consuming appliances (e.g., air conditioners, refrigerators) must additionally comply with energy efficiency standards (e.g., MS 2685) and apply for ST COA certification.

·Labeling Requirements: Use the ST-SIRIM joint label.

3.Ministry of Domestic Trade and Costs of Living (KPDNHEP) System: Governs specific consumer goods, with engine oil as a typical example.

·Latest Update: According to the 2024 Trade Descriptions Order, all engine oils sold in Malaysia must obtain SIRIM certification starting October 2025 to combat counterfeit and substandard products.

·Key Standards and Testing Items: Must comply with standards such as MS 123 series, with testing items including component analysis, viscosity, and flash point.

4.Ministry of Transport (MOT) System: Governs automobiles and their components.

·Core Logic: Adheres to the ASEAN Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA) mutual recognition agreement and adopts United Nations (UNECE) regulations.

·Covered Products: Including but not limited to tires, safety glass, helmets, lighting fixtures, and seat belts.

Dimension 2: "Testing Depth" Classified by Product Risk Level

Standards determine "what to test", while risk levels determine "how rigorously to test". This is the key to evaluating certification cycles and costs.

1.High-Risk and Long-Cycle Products: Typically involve personal safety or require long-term durability verification.

·Wireless Communication Devices: The most complex testing category, with a typical cycle of 3-5 months, requiring additional MCMC approval.

·Building Materials (e.g., Safety Glass), Tires: Often require long-duration testing of up to 28 days (e.g., impact resistance, UV aging), with a total cycle potentially extending to 4-6 months.

·Engine Oil: Requires comprehensive chemical composition and performance testing.

2.Regular Risk Products: Most household appliances and IT devices.

·Typical Products: Air conditioners, refrigerators, electric fans, power adapters, lamps, etc.

·Standards and Testing Items: Core testing includes safety + EMC assessments. Relevant standards include MS IEC 60335 (home appliance safety) and MS IEC 60598 (luminaire safety).

·Cycle: Relatively short, approximately 2-4 months.

3.Low-Risk or Component Products:

·Typical Products: Plugs, sockets, wires and cables (must comply with MS 589 plug standards), some data cables.

·Characteristics: Processes may be streamlined; factory audits may be exempt in certain cases, with the shortest cycle (e.g., 6-8 weeks).

  II. Key Trends to Monitor for SIRIM Type Approval

Understanding the above classifications is not sufficient. The following three points are critical to shaping certification strategies in 2025-2026 and will make your content stand out:

1."Product Sales Name" Becomes a Mandatory Regulatory ElementThis is far more than simply naming a product. The latest MCMC announcement explicitly requires that the "sales name" declared during application must be actually used on the product itself, packaging, or user manual. The purpose is to allow consumers and regulators to directly verify product authenticity and compliance status by scanning a QR code via an official app. This represents a significant regulatory upgrade from "regulating products" to "regulating the full product identity chain".

2.Sample-Waiver Process May Become NormalizedDue to the impact of the previous pandemic, SIRIM introduced a sample-waiver process for certain certifications (particularly MCMC certifications). This process is still in effect. It means that applicants can complete sample verification by submitting high-definition, comprehensive product photo documentation that meets strict requirements, greatly saving international logistics time and costs. This signals a trend toward digitalization and remote certification in the future.

3.Responsibilities of "Local Representatives" and "Certificate Holders" Are Strengthened UnprecedentedlyPolicies have clearly stipulated that SIRIM certificate holders must be local Malaysian importers or legally registered entities. Overseas manufacturers must entrust local representatives through comprehensive legal authorization documents. This is not only a procedural requirement but also signifies the official transfer of legal liability. Local representatives will assume a series of compliance responsibilities, including market surveillance and product recalls.

The essence of SIRIM certification is to prove a product’s ability to mitigate specific usage risks within a specific regulatory framework. If you wish to conduct a more detailed breakdown of a specific product category (e.g., small home appliances or wireless earphones), we can continue the discussion. For professional certification consulting services, contact BLUEASIA: +86 13534225140.