Malaysia Air-Conditioner Import Compliance: Energy-Efficiency Star Label (MEPS) and Refrigerant Control

In Malaysia, air conditioners are a product regulated by two authorities at the same time: one is the Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga, ST), which governs "energy efficiency" and "electrical safety"—air conditioners must carry a mandatory energy-efficiency star label (MEPS) and comply with safety approval; the other is the Department of Environment (DOE), which governs "refrigerants"—refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment containing controlled refrigerants such as HCFCs / HFCs must have its import and production approved by the DOE. Both tracks must be passed before an air conditioner can clear customs and reach the shelf.

MEPS energy-efficiency star label (ST)

The energy label for residential air conditioners is mandatory: any residential air conditioner sold in Malaysia with a rated cooling capacity of about 7.1 kW or below must carry an ST-issued 1-to-5-star energy label, where higher stars mean more energy-saving—at the same tonnage, a 5-star unit uses roughly half the electricity of a 1-star unit. This scheme originates from the Electricity (Amendment) Regulations 2013 and continues and expands as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2024 (EECA) takes effect in 2025. The star-rating table for room air conditioners was updated in January 2026, re-grading by cooling capacity; after a transition period, old models must be re-rated using the new table, so watch the effective date when planning inventory and catalogues.

Air conditioners are also regulated electrical equipment, so in addition to the energy label, the safety side must still comply with ST's approval and the ST/SIRIM mark requirements—the two cannot substitute for each other. The energy label usually states the star rating, rated cooling capacity, energy-efficiency value (such as CSPF) and estimated annual energy consumption, and these figures must match the actual tested model; if marketing materials exaggerate the star rating or energy-saving margin, besides violating energy-labelling rules, it may also touch on consumer protection and false-advertising issues.

Refrigerant control (DOE)

Malaysia is a party to the Montreal Protocol and is progressively phasing out ozone-depleting HCFCs (such as R-22), targeting a complete halt to imports by 2030 (retaining only a small "servicing tail" for maintenance). The legal basis for control is the Environmental Quality (Refrigerant Management) Regulations 2020 (effective 1 June 2020), which lists HCFCs and others as controlled substances.

In practice:

• Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment containing HCFC / HFC refrigerants, and the refrigerants themselves, must apply to the DOE for approval before import, and importers must first register on ePermit.
• The import of R-22 and other HCFC models is increasingly restricted; the market has largely shifted to alternative refrigerants with lower Global Warming Potential (GWP), such as R-32, R-410A and R-290.
• HFCs (such as R-410A), although they do not deplete ozone, are high-GWP greenhouse gases and are being progressively reduced under the Kigali Amendment; when selecting, it is advisable to prioritise low-GWP refrigerants (such as R-32) to extend the product's market lifespan.

Note that some low-GWP refrigerants (such as R-32 and R-290) are flammable, so equipment design, transport and installation must all comply with the corresponding safety standards and operating rules; the charging, recovery and servicing of refrigerants are in practice mostly carried out by qualified technicians per regulation, and sellers should factor this into product instructions and after-sales arrangements rather than treating air conditioners as ordinary household appliances.

Import vs. local

Energy-efficiency and safety requirements are the same for imported and locally assembled units; refrigerant control hinges on "who brings the controlled refrigerant into the territory." If an imported complete-unit air conditioner is pre-charged with HCFC / HFC refrigerant, the importer must complete DOE approval and ePermit registration; if local assembly separately imports bulk refrigerant for charging, the charging refrigerant is likewise subject to DOE control. On the label, imported goods must additionally state the importer's name and address and the country of origin, and clearly state the refrigerant model and charge amount.

Common mistakes

1. Attending only to the energy label and ignoring the DOE approval and ePermit registration for the refrigerant.
2. Importing old models still using R-22, stuck on HCFC phase-out control.
3. The energy-label star rating not matching the actual model / cooling capacity.
4. The label missing the refrigerant model and charge amount.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Do all air conditioners need an energy label? Residential air conditioners with a cooling capacity of about 7.1 kW or below must carry a mandatory energy-efficiency star label; the actual applicable scope and grading are subject to ST's latest announcement.

Q: Who governs the refrigerant in an air conditioner? The Department of Environment (DOE). Air-conditioning equipment and refrigerants containing HCFC / HFC refrigerants must have their import and production approved by the DOE and be registered on ePermit.

Q: Can I still import air conditioners using R-22? R-22 is an HCFC and is being progressively phased out, with restricted imports, targeting a complete halt by 2030 (retaining a small maintenance tail). New units should choose low-GWP refrigerants such as R-32.

Q: Are the energy label and the safety CoA the same thing? No. The energy label governs "energy-saving," and safety approval / the ST mark govern "safety"; the two run in parallel and neither can be omitted.

Q: How does the 2026 new energy table affect me? The star-rating table for room air conditioners was updated in January 2026 and re-grades by cooling capacity; old ratings lapse after the transition period, and the star ratings in a model's marketing materials must be updated per the new table.

Pre-listing self-check

• [ ] The air conditioner has ST's mandatory energy-efficiency star label affixed (per the latest grading table)
• [ ] The safety side complies with ST approval and the ST/SIRIM mark
• [ ] Equipment containing HCFC / HFC refrigerant has obtained DOE approval and is registered on ePermit
• [ ] No use of restricted HCFCs such as R-22 (or feasibility has been confirmed)
• [ ] The label states the refrigerant model, charge amount and rated electrical parameters
• [ ] Imported goods bear the importer's name and address and the country of origin

In summary: air-conditioner compliance must pass both "ST's energy efficiency + safety" and "DOE's refrigerant" hurdles; when selecting, prioritise low-GWP refrigerants and affix the correct latest star label, so you can list steadily. Further reading: Malaysia electrical certification and labelling guide, Malaysia energy-efficiency label MEPS and the electrical CoA application process.

Run a free label check now

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.