Consumers will soon be able to ensure their purchases have certificates of approval, says agency
15 Feb 2021 4:52PM
SHAH ALAM – Sirim QAS International will develop a method for consumers to check the status of electrical or electronic (E&E) goods purchased online to ensure they have certificates of approval from Sirim and the Energy Commission (EC).
Its chief executive officer, Nur Fadhilah Muhammad, said the effort was necessary because consumers currently cannot know the approval status of the type of goods purchased online until they receive it.
“The method is being developed and will be completed as soon as possible because it is very important to protect consumer rights.
“Sirim currently has an application to make it easier for consumers to check electrical and electronic goods purchased in stores only,” she told a press conference at the launch of the Sirim-EC safety awareness campaign today.
Also present at the virtual press conference were Sirim Bhd group president, CEO Datuk Ahmad Fadzil Mohamad Hani, and EC CEO Abdul Razib Dawood.
The three-month campaign, starting today through Sirim and EC’s social media platforms, aims to increase public awareness on the importance of buying E&E goods that have been approved by both agencies.
“This measure is to prevent accidents or fires that could result in injuries and deaths. Only the Sirim-EC label can confirm that the goods purchased by consumers are safe to be used,” said Fadzil.
Meanwhile, Razib said 45 accident cases caused by E&E goods were reported last year, with 28 of them resulting in deaths.
“However, three out of the total number of accident cases were due to electrical and electronic goods without Sirim and EC approval. We are seeing a decreasing number of accidents involving these types of goods,” he said.
Razib said that any E&E equipment to be sold in the market must obtain a certificate of approval from the EC and undergo testing and certification by Sirim.
“Electrical equipment that passes the prescribed test will be given the Sirim-EC label or have a Sirim certification mark. The certificate is issued by EC to manufacturers and importers of appliances that meet safety standards and requirements under the Electricity Regulations 1994,” he added.