SHAH ALAM, Aug 3 — The government is urged to strictly enforce Sirim certification for electrical products sold online, amid concerns that many uncertified and potentially hazardous items, especially imported ones, are flooding the market.
According to the Malaysian Association of Standards Users (Standards Users), a Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations affiliate, while Sirim plays a vital safety role in preventing hazards like overheating, fires, and electric shocks, the sale of uncertified products, including power banks, chargers, and kitchen appliances, remains widespread on e-commerce platforms.
“In Malaysia, many cheap appliances sold online do not undergo Sirim safety checks. For example, a vacuum cleaner without Sirim certification can cost as little as RM44, while a certified one costs RM157.
“These uncertified items are risky and can be dangerous,” Standards Users secretary-general Saral James Maniam told Media Selangor.
She noted that at present, only a handful of sellers include proof of Sirim certification in their product listings.
“This rule should apply to all sellers, even those overseas. Online platforms like Shopee and Lazada must check every seller and ensure all products, whether local or imported, comply with certified safety and quality standards.
“For imported goods, platforms should verify conformity with internationally recognised standards such as the ISO 8124 for toy safety, the IEC 60335 for household appliance safety, and other relevant IEC-equivalent standards, in addition to local certification like Sirim,” Saral said.
An ISO standard is a document by the International Organisation for Standardisation that sets consistent requirements to ensure products, processes, or services are fit for purpose. Meanwhile, IEC standards are voluntary guidelines developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission for electrical and electronic technologies.
Her comments comes as Malaysia’s e-commerce market grows rapidly, with online transactions amounting to RM1.12 trillion in 2022 from just RM398.2 billion in 2015.
According to the Statistics Department, 70.6 per cent of Malaysians purchased goods and services via e-commerce platforms in 2023, from 70.4 per cent in 2022 and 64.7 per cent the year before.
Attempts to get comments from Malaysia’s top e-commerce platforms, including Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop, on their product safety procedures and requirements were unsuccessful at the time of writing.
Conduct audits, provide compensation
To better protect consumers, Saral recommended that e-commerce platforms conduct random audits, clearly label certified products, and remove listings that fail safety checks.
She also suggested these platforms provide compensation in the event an uncertified product causes injury or damage.
“If an uncertified product causes injury, fire, or property damage, the seller must be held accountable. However, if the seller is from overseas or cannot be contacted, the platform should assist the buyer in obtaining a refund or compensation.
“Platforms make money from these sales, so they should also provide assistance when things go wrong.
“Standards Users believes platforms and sellers should be required to have insurance or set up a fund to protect consumers in case of injury or financial loss caused by faulty products,” Saral said.
She also pointed to a loophole in Malaysia’s customs policy, where items under RM500 are exempt from taxes and safety inspections under the de minimis rule, allowing uncertified products to enter the country via courier without Sirim approval.
The de minimis rule in Malaysia’s customs policy exempts goods with a Cost, Insurance, and Freight value of RM500 or less per consignment from import duties and certain safety inspections.
This rule applies primarily to imports via air courier and postal services, and not road or sea shipments, and only to goods that are not listed under the Customs (Prohibition of Import) Order 2023 or subject to excise or sales tax.
Saral urged the authorities to close this gap by requiring all imported electronics, regardless of value, to be certified, and for stronger collaboration between customs, enforcement agencies, and online platforms to better intercept unsafe goods.
She said Malaysia should emulate countries like Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom in enforcing strict e-commerce safety standards.
“Malaysia should follow suit by conducting random product audits and surveillance on platforms, tightening border controls for uncertified imports, imposing penalties for repeat non-compliant sellers, and ensuring sellers carry liability insurance for high-risk product categories.
“Such actions will lower risks and build greater consumer trust in online marketplaces,” Saral said.
