Malaysia IT & Audio-Visual Equipment Import Compliance: The ST Certificate of Approval and Energy Labels

In Malaysia, IT equipment (computers, monitors, power supplies, chargers, routers) and audio-visual equipment (televisions, audio systems, amplifiers, set-top boxes) are mainly regulated by the Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga, ST) under the Electricity Supply Act 1990 and the Electricity Regulations 1994. Any product that falls within ST's published list of "regulated electrical equipment" must, before it is manufactured, imported, displayed, sold or advertised, first obtain a Certificate of Approval (CoA) issued by ST and carry a uniquely serial-numbered ST/SIRIM safety mark on the product. Televisions are additionally governed by an energy-efficiency star label. Which item is regulated, and whether an energy label is needed, depends on the product category—not on the vague notion of "electronic product."

Which IT / AV products are regulated?

The CoA is regulated "by product category"—not everything electrical requires one. Based on the published list in the Guideline for Approval of Electrical Equipment, common IT/AV placements are as follows:

If unsure whether a model is regulated, the safest approach is to cross-check the HS tariff code and product specifications against ST's latest Guideline for Approval of Electrical Equipment list, or to enquire directly with ST / SIRIM QAS—do not assume from experience that "electronic products are all exempt" or "all require it."

Safety certification: CoA + ST/SIRIM mark

The legal basis for the CoA is Regulation 97 of the Electricity Regulations 1994 and Regulation 101A of the Electricity (Amendment) Regulations 2013. The practical process is broadly:

1. Submit samples to SIRIM QAS International or an ST-recognised laboratory for testing to the applicable MS / IEC safety standards.
2. After passing, the certificate holder (manufacturer, importer or agent) applies to ST for the CoA; import cases are filed online via ePermit (Dagang Net).
3. After certification, mass-produced units must carry the ST/SIRIM certification mark (with a unique serial number), and the label must state the approval number, brand, model and rated electrical parameters (voltage / frequency / power).

At customs clearance, Customs checks whether the goods have a valid CoA and mark; missing certification leads to detention or return. A CoA is usually issued per "model," so different models / different rated specifications of the same brand should in principle be applied for separately; where only the appearance colour differs and electrical specifications are identical, they may be combined under ST rules. Confirm the model coverage before filing, to avoid testing one model but listing an entire series.

Televisions must carry an energy-efficiency star label

With the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2024 (EECA) taking effect in January 2025, the products subject to energy labelling expanded from the earlier 5 categories, and televisions are explicitly listed—they must carry an ST-issued 1-to-5-star energy label. This is a separate track from the safety CoA: the CoA governs "whether it is safe," the energy label governs "whether it is energy-saving," and televisions must attend to both. The star label must be clearly affixed in a prominent place on the unit or packaging, and also presented in catalogues and web product pages, to help consumers compare.

Import vs. local

Whether locally assembled or imported as a complete unit, regulated products require a CoA; the difference lies in the responsible party and the clearance action. Local manufacture is applied for in the manufacturer's name; imports are in the name of the Malaysian importer / designated agent, declared on ePermit with the CoA attached for Customs inspection. On the label, imported goods must additionally state the importer's name and address and the country of origin; cross-border e-commerce direct shipping without a local certificate holder will likewise be blocked at customs for lack of a CoA. In recent years, platforms such as Shopee and Lazada also spot-check certification information for electrical goods, so sellers should have the CoA number and mark photos ready before listing, to avoid being delisted or asked to supplement documents.

Common mistakes

1. Assuming "a monitor / router is IT equipment so it's exempt," not cross-checking the list, and being detained at customs.
2. Doing only the safety CoA and forgetting the TV energy label (or vice versa).
3. The mark serial number, approval number and actual model not matching, failing inspection.
4. Cross-border direct shipping without a named local importer, with goods stuck at customs on arrival.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Do chargers / adaptors definitely need a CoA? Yes. Adaptors / chargers / power supplies are explicitly on ST's regulated electrical equipment list, and a CoA and mark are required before import or sale.

Q: Do televisions need a safety CoA or an energy label? Depending on the case, both. On safety, whether a CoA is needed is determined per the Guideline for Approval of Electrical Equipment; on energy efficiency, since televisions are listed under EECA 2024's energy-label products, a star label is required.

Q: Do computer units, monitors and routers count as regulated electrical equipment? They must be confirmed item by item against ST's latest regulated list and cannot be generalised; the external power supplies / chargers they contain mostly still need to comply.

Q: Where do I apply for a CoA? First complete testing at SIRIM QAS or an ST-recognised laboratory, then have the certificate holder apply to ST; import cases are handled via ePermit (Dagang Net).

Q: What happens if the ST/SIRIM mark is not affixed? It is a violation; the product may be detained, delisted or penalised, and e-commerce platforms may also delist the item.

Pre-listing self-check

• [ ] Confirmed against the Guideline for Approval of Electrical Equipment whether the product is regulated
• [ ] Regulated products have obtained a valid CoA
• [ ] The ST/SIRIM safety mark (with unique serial number) is affixed
• [ ] The label states the approval number, brand and model, and rated electrical parameters
• [ ] Televisions have the energy-efficiency star label additionally affixed
• [ ] Imported goods are declared on ePermit and bear the local importer's name and address

In summary: the core of IT and AV equipment compliance is "check the list first, then get the CoA, then affix the correct mark," with televisions needing one more energy label. Rather than guessing, cross-check each model against the ST list to confirm. Further reading: Malaysia electrical certification and labelling guide, the electrical CoA application process and ST electrical safety label requirements.

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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.