[UPDATED] Enforcement of Sirim certification for non-medical masks postponed to Jan 2023: ministry

KUALA LUMPUR – The requirement for manufacturers and importers of non-medical face masks to apply for MS Sirim certification and labelling from Sirim QAS International Sdn Bhd will only be enforced in January 2023, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said. 

Nanta said the decision was made after receiving feedback from the public who have voiced their concerns over a price surge of the products once the ruling comes into effect. 

“We have discussed and decided to postpone the enforcement of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking) of Non-Medical Face Mask Order 2022 to January 1, 2023,” he said in his speech in an event with industry parties in conjunction with the gazetting and enforcement of the order in Le Meridien Putrajaya this evening. 

On Tuesday, the ministry initially announced that the ruling would be effective come July 4 this year and that the move is to ensure that non-medical face masks produced locally or imported comply with the safety standards set by the ministry.

Nanta said the certification for non-medical masks will include fabric masks, though he reiterated that people wearing non-medical face masks that are not Sirim certified would not be fined.

He denied that the deferment of the implementation date was a U-turn, stressing that the government decided to push it back in the public’s interest.

Meanwhile, Nanta said the government will proceed with the August 3 implementation of mandatory Sirim certification for e-cigarettes and vaporisers.

He said the move to call for Sirim certification for non-surgical masks and e-cigarettes has been presented to the World Trade Organisation, which had no objections. – The Vibes, April 7, 2022