ST Electrical Safety Label Rules: How to Label the Mark and Approval Number

After obtaining the CoA, a regulated electrical product must carry the ST certification label before it can be sold, and the core requirement is just one sentence: the certification mark + approval number + electrical specifications + manufacturer information, labelled clearly and durably on the product itself (not just on the outer box). This article makes clear what the label must contain, where it goes and the common mistakes. For an overview of the system, see the Malaysia electrical ST/SIRIM certification and labelling guide; if you have not yet obtained the approval certificate, first read how to apply for an electrical CoA.

What must the label contain?

The ST certification label is the physical proof by which auditors, retail channels and consumers recognise that "this machine has been approved." It must basically contain the following information:

The most critical of these is the approval number: it must correspond to the model's CoA. During an audit, the approval number is the key that links the "physical product" to the "official approval record"—if the number does not match, it is effectively the same as having no certificate.

Where and how to affix it?

• Affix it on the product itself, not just on the outer box. This is the most important and also the most often overlooked rule. The certification mark and safety information must appear on the product itself; printing on the outer box cannot replace this.
• Clear, durable and not easily peeled off. The label must withstand normal use and cleaning without peeling off or smudging; using a sticker that is easy to tear off or smudges in water plants the seeds of a violation.
• Information consistent with the CoA model. The model and electrical specifications on the label must match those recorded in the CoA; reusing an old label after a revision that changes the specifications is a common mistake.

Why are the rules so strict?

The risk with electrical products is electric shock and fire, and the label is the first-hand information by which a user judges "whether it can be used and how to use it safely": a wrong rated voltage may burn out the machine, missing manufacturer information makes a recall untraceable, and a fake approval number means it was never actually approved. Putting the safety information on the product itself is so that the information travels with the product for life—the outer box gets thrown away, the product does not.

From the perspective of audits and consumer protection, the label also plays a "traceability after the fact" role: once a model has a safety incident requiring a recall, the model, batch number and manufacturer information are the basis for locking down the scope and notifying consumers. Without these, a recall becomes nearly impossible. This is also why the label information cannot be printed only on the outer box for convenience—once the box and the product are separated, the traceability chain is broken.

Common mistakes

• Labelling only the outer box, with nothing on the product itself: the most frequent form of violation.
• The approval number not matching the CoA: reusing an old label after a revision that changes the model.
• The label peeling off easily or the printing being blurred: using a non-durable material.
• Electrical specifications mislabelled or omitted: rated voltage/power inconsistent with the actual product or the CoA.
• Incomplete manufacturer information: missing the manufacturer/importer name and address, making it untraceable.

How does it differ from the energy label?

Be sure to distinguish clearly: the ST certification label governs safety, whereas the energy star label governs power-consumption performance—the two are completely different in nature and are two separate requirements. A regulated air conditioner or refrigerator very likely needs both labels. For the energy label details, see how to label the Malaysia energy label. If your product is a beauty device, first confirm whether it follows the ST route or the medical-device route, see the MDA/ST boundary for beauty devices.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Is labelling only the outer box acceptable? No. The ST certification mark and safety information must be labelled on the product itself; printing on the outer box cannot replace this.

Q: Where should the approval number go? On the ST certification label, presented together with the mark, and it must correspond to the model's CoA.

Q: What are the requirements for the label material? It must be clear, durable and not easily peeled off, able to withstand normal use without smudging or peeling.

Q: Are the safety label and the energy label the same one? No. The safety label governs safety and the energy star label governs power consumption; a regulated device may need both.

Self-check checklist

• [ ] The label contains the ST certification mark and the approval number corresponding to the model
• [ ] States rated voltage/frequency and power/current
• [ ] States the manufacturer/importer name and address, and model/batch number
• [ ] The label is affixed on the product itself (not just the outer box)
• [ ] The label is clear, durable and not easily peeled off
• [ ] The label information is consistent with the CoA model

Summary

The ST electrical safety label = certification mark + approval number + electrical specifications + manufacturer information, durably labelled on the product itself. Match the approval number to the CoA, put the information complete, and affix it on the product rather than the outer box, and you will avoid the most common violations found on the audit floor. To grasp the whole process from approval to labelling in one go, return to the electrical ST/SIRIM guide.

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