KUALA LUMPUR – Companies planning to manufacture or ship in new e-cigarette and vaporiser devices will need to spend at least RM16,000 to secure certification for each device model before it can be sold in Malaysia once new regulations on the devices kick in on August 3.
In a filing on the federal gazette on Tuesday, the government said e-cigarette and vape manufacturers and importers will need to secure MS Sirim certification from Sirim QAS International Sdn Bhd from August 3 onwards or risk being slapped with hefty fines and possible jail time.
In a certification guideline shared with The Vibes by Sirim QAS International, the total expected fee per model is set at RM16,100.
The figure excludes incidental charges that might arise where applicable for accommodation, living allowances and transportation costs.
The guidelines apply to electronic cigarettes that are defined as a “battery powered device that provides inhaled doses of non-nicotine substance by way of vapourised solution”.
An additional RM1,700 comes into the picture when verification tests for batch certifications are conducted.
Licensees are also required to purchase the Sirim label for a maximum production period of three months, and the testing process is estimated to take up to 60 days with another 22 days for product certification.
Applicants must make sure that manufacturers have adequate testing facilities to fulfil all testing requirements.
The new regulations, however, do not address vape pods and juices, which typically contain nicotine.
Under the Poisons Act 1952, nicotine is classified as a poison and can only be supplied by medical personnel, unless it is in tobacco products, particularly traditional cigarettes.
Recently, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that the government intends to outlaw smoking by making the sale of tobacco products, including vapes, illegal for those born after 2005.
Advocacy group Malaysian Vapers Alliance in February called on the government to differentiate vapes from traditional cigarettes and to develop a separate set of regulations for what they believe is a safer alternative to smoking. – The Vibes, April 7, 2022
