Electrical Toy Safety and EMC Requirements in Malaysia

In Malaysia, any toy with "at least one function powered by electricity" (remote-control cars, electric dolls, light-and-sound toys, electronic pets, electric track sets, etc.) is governed by the Consumer Protection (Safety Standards for Toys) Regulations 2009 (P.U.(A) 275/2009), with mandatory certification enforced by SIRIM. The key is this: an electrical toy must pass not only the general-toy MS ISO 8124 mechanical, flammability and chemical safety, but additionally the electrical safety standard MS IEC 62115 (Electric toys — Safety); and if the toy has wireless remote control, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, one more layer of MCMC type approval is added. Miss any of the three, and the product may not be legally listed in Malaysia.

Which standards apply to electrical toys

The testing scope for electrical toys is a stack of "general toy standards + electrical safety standard + (if applicable) wireless communications approval":

In other words, a plastic toy that lights up, even with just two batteries, is simultaneously a "toy" and an "electrical product," and both sets of tests must be run.

What MS IEC 62115 electrical safety checks

MS IEC 62115 corresponds to the IEC 62115 of the International Electrotechnical Commission and applies to toys for children under 14 with at least one function driven by electricity. It focuses on the harm a toy may cause once powered; common check items include:

• Temperature rise and overheating: the surface temperature of motors, bulbs and casings under normal and abnormal operation, to avoid burns or melting.
• Insulation and electrical clearances: isolation between live parts and accessible parts, to prevent electric shock.
• Battery and circuit protection: reverse-polarity and short-circuit protection for batteries, to avoid fire or battery rupture.
• Charging devices: the safety of the charging process for toys with a charger or that are rechargeable.
• Mechanical strength and durability: electrical parts do not become exposed after repeated use.

Important: electrical toys are generally powered by low-voltage batteries, but if a mains-powered charger or transformer is supplied, that power device may itself be subject to the Energy Commission's (Suruhanjaya Tenaga, ST) electrical safety rules. When sourcing, confirm with the supplier whether the charger carries the corresponding certification—do not look only at the toy body.

Wireless / remote-control toys: one more layer of MCMC type approval

Remote-control cars, drones and Bluetooth-interactive toys are "hybrid products": besides SIRIM's toy safety certification, they must also obtain type approval from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). MCMC's certification assessment is likewise carried out by SIRIM QAS International, which issues a certificate of conformity, after which the product must carry the MCMC label.

This gate checks the technical requirements of the wireless module: approved frequency band, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), non-interference, and (if applicable) radiation exposure. In practice, note:

• The MCMC certificate holder must be a local company registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) holding a valid ROC/ROB.
• Technical specifications are updated (e.g. baseline requirement codes taking effect in 2026); before submitting for testing, confirm you are citing the current version.
• Pure infrared remote control usually does not trigger wireless approval, but 2.4GHz, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must all go through MCMC.

Labelling and the certification process

Once an electrical toy passes testing, the label is consistent with general toys: it must carry the SIRIM conformity mark (no smaller than 5mm), the certification number beneath it, the applicable age and necessary warnings; those with wireless functions add the MCMC label. Process-wise, we recommend first confirming which sets of standards the product triggers simultaneously, then submitting for type testing at a SIRIM QAS-approved laboratory in one go, obtaining the test report and applying for the certificate of conformity; imported goods also require on-arrival batch inspection to verify that the actual goods match the certified sample.

Common mistakes

• Doing only MS ISO 8124 and omitting MS IEC 62115: assuming a "plastic toy" only needs mechanical and chemical tests, overlooking electrical safety, and having the certification rejected.
• Omitting MCMC for remote-control toys: a 2.4GHz remote-control car with only SIRIM toy certification, the wireless part unapproved, gets stopped at clearance or a platform audit.
• Reusing a charger's overseas certification: reusing a bundled mains charger's certification from another country without confirming Malaysia's corresponding requirements.
• Not retesting after a redesign: changing the motor, changing the battery spec, or adding a Bluetooth module is a substantive change—reusing the old certificate is not allowed.

Further reading: grasp the overall framework in the Overview of Malaysia Toy Safety and SIRIM Certification first, then read Breakdown of MS ISO 8124 Test Items and The SIRIM Certification Process; if the toy uses button batteries, be sure to also consult Button Battery Toy Safety.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Do all battery-powered toys need to run MS IEC 62115? As long as a toy has "at least one function powered by electricity," it in principle falls within the scope of electrical toy electrical safety. Purely mechanical wind-up toys with no electrical function do not apply, but once there is a light, sound, motor or other electrical function, it must be included in the assessment.

Q: Are MS IEC 62115 and MS ISO 8124 an either/or choice? No. The two are cumulative. MS ISO 8124 governs mechanical, flammability and chemical safety; MS IEC 62115 governs electrical safety. Electrical toys must pass both.

Q: Is a remote-control toy's MCMC approval the same certificate as the SIRIM toy certification? No. Toy safety certification and wireless type approval are two procedures and two certificates; although both can be submitted through SIRIM QAS, they must be obtained separately and marked separately.

Q: Does a bundled USB charger need to be handled separately? The low-voltage battery toy body goes through MS IEC 62115, but if a mains-powered charger/transformer is supplied, that power device may separately be subject to the Energy Commission's (ST) electrical safety rules; when sourcing, ask the supplier for the corresponding certification.

Q: Does a redesign that changes a module require re-certification? Changing the motor, altering the battery spec, adding a wireless module and the like are substantive changes and should be re-assessed and handled as a variation or retest—the original model's certificate cannot be reused.

Self-check checklist

• [ ] Confirmed whether the toy has an electrical function → must be included in MS IEC 62115
• [ ] MS ISO 8124-1/2/3 mechanical, flammability and chemical tests completed
• [ ] MS IEC 62115 electrical safety test report ready
• [ ] Has a wireless function → MCMC type approval obtained and label affixed
• [ ] The safety certification of any bundled charger/transformer confirmed
• [ ] The label includes the SIRIM mark (≥5mm), certification number, applicable age and warnings
• [ ] On-arrival batch inspection arranged for imported goods

Conclusion

An electrical toy in Malaysia has a dual identity of "toy × electrical appliance": MS ISO 8124 covers mechanical and chemical, MS IEC 62115 covers electrical safety, and wireless functions add MCMC. Before listing, taking stock of "which sets of standards are triggered" is far cheaper and faster than supplementing documents afterwards.

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This article is compiled from official sources for reference only; actual compliance is subject to the latest official texts and reviews of the competent authorities.