Introducing ST (the Energy Commission): How the Electrical COA and the ST-SIRIM Label Work

In Malaysia, for a regulated electrical or electronic product to be legally placed on the market, sold or advertised, it must first obtain a Certificate of Approval (COA) issued by ST (the Energy Commission; in Malay, Suruhanjaya Tenaga). ST is a statutory body established under the Energy Commission Act 2001, originally under the energy portfolio (for the current corresponding ministry, please refer to official announcements); its duty is to regulate the electricity and gas supply industry. At the product level, it regulates electrical safety under the Electricity Supply Act 1990 and the Electricity Regulations 1994. In short: for any regulated electrical product, you cannot sell it without ST's COA.

Which products ST regulates

What ST regulates are regulated/controlled electrical equipment, mainly household appliances and common electronic products—for example rice cookers, microwave ovens, toasters, electric fans, hair dryers, irons, electric water heaters, plugs and sockets, lighting fittings, and chargers. As of 1 May 2022, the regulated list comprises 34 categories of products that require a COA; the exact items are subject to the list in the Guidelines for the Approval of Electrical Equipment. If your item is on the list, the COA is a mandatory requirement before it goes to market.

From application to market: COA + ST-SIRIM label

ST's product compliance is two things—"certificate + label"—and is divided with SIRIM:

1. Type testing: the product is first tested against the applicable safety standards (mostly performed by SIRIM QAS or an accredited laboratory).
2. Apply for the COA: submit the test report and documents through the electronic permit system (e-Permit, via Dagang Net; this online system has been in effect since 1 October 2010), pay the fee, and after ST reviews and finds it in order, the COA is issued. The COA is valid for 12 months and must be renewed on expiry.
3. Consignment testing and labelling: after the goods arrive and clear customs, the importer must submit them to SIRIM for consignment testing, obtain the ST-SIRIM label (a holographic safety label), and affix it to the equipment as required by Regulation 98 of the Electricity Regulations 1994, before it can be distributed and sold.

Only an electrical product that has obtained a COA and bears the ST label may be sold or advertised. E-commerce sellers are equally bound by this rule—listing without a COA/label is a violation.

How ST is distinguished from other authorities

Electrical products often involve multiple authorities, and getting the attribution wrong means a wasted process:

• ST: regulates electrical safety—the COA and ST-SIRIM label for regulated electrical products. This is the main line for home appliances, lighting fittings, plugs and sockets, chargers, and so on.
• MCMC (Communications Commission): regulates wireless/communications functions. Devices with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or mobile networking, in addition to ST's electrical safety, must also pass MCMC type approval (testing likewise mostly performed by SIRIM).
• KPDN (Ministry of Domestic Trade): regulates toy safety (the MC mark); for electric toys that light up or make sound, watch the boundary with ST/KPDN.
• MDA (Medical Device Authority): regulates medical devices; electrically powered medical equipment falls under MDA rather than ST.

The suggested order of judgment: first ask, is this a "regulated electrical product"? Then ask whether it also contains wireless communications or medical use, mapping each in turn to ST, MCMC or MDA. In most cases SIRIM is the common testing executor, but the competent authority for certification and enforcement differs in each case.

The difference between imported and local products

Whether imported or locally manufactured, regulated electrical products all need a COA to go to market; the difference lies in the responsible party and the process nodes:

• Imports: the importer must be a local company registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), and must complete SIRIM consignment testing after each consignment arrives and obtain the ST-SIRIM label for that batch. Overseas manufacturers cannot hold the certificate themselves.
• Local manufacturing: the local manufacturer applies for the COA, and the process may combine factory-side type certification and sample testing.

Common mistakes

• Doing only overseas safety testing and importing and selling without applying for Malaysia's COA.
• Obtaining the COA but overlooking the consignment testing and ST-SIRIM labelling step.
• Continuing to sell after the COA has expired (valid for only 12 months) without renewing.
• Listing on e-commerce without confirming regulated status, mistakenly assuming online sales are exempt from the COA.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the relationship between ST and SIRIM? ST is the competent authority that issues the COA and holds regulatory and enforcement power; SIRIM QAS is the testing body that performs type testing and consignment testing for ST and issues the ST-SIRIM label. The certificate sits with ST; testing and labelling sit with SIRIM.

Q: How long is the COA valid? Does it need renewal? The Certificate of Approval is valid for 12 months and must be reapplied for/renewed on expiry to continue selling legally.

Q: Does every consignment of imports need to be re-tested? Regulated electrical imports usually require SIRIM consignment testing after each consignment arrives and obtaining the ST-SIRIM label for that batch; the exact requirement is subject to the current ST/SIRIM rules.

Q: Can an overseas company apply for the COA itself? No. The applicant/importer must be a Malaysian local company registered with SSM; overseas brands need to appoint a local importer or agent.

Q: Do online stores selling electrical products also need a COA? Yes. As long as the item is regulated, whether physical or e-commerce, both selling and advertising require a COA and the ST label to be affixed first.

Self-check list

• [ ] Confirmed whether the product is within ST's regulated list (34 categories)
• [ ] Completed type testing against the applicable safety standards
• [ ] Applied for and obtained a valid COA through e-Permit (valid for 12 months)
• [ ] Completed SIRIM consignment testing and affixed the ST-SIRIM label
• [ ] The importer is an SSM-registered local company; the COA has not expired

Conclusion

ST (the Energy Commission) is Malaysia's competent authority for electrical safety: the legal basis is the Electricity Supply Act 1990 and the Electricity Regulations 1994, the tools are the COA (valid for 12 months) + the ST-SIRIM label, and testing and labelling are handed to SIRIM. Regulated items (34 categories as of May 2022) cannot be sold or advertised without a COA and label, and every import consignment may require consignment testing. For the overall process, see the Malaysia Market Entry Roadmap; for electrical certification details, see the Electrical ST/SIRIM Certification Guide; for SIRIM's role, see Introducing SIRIM and Its Certification Scope.

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This article is compiled from official sources and is for reference only; actual compliance is subject to the latest official text and review by the competent authority.