The SIRIM Certification Process for Toys in Malaysia

To be sold legally in Malaysia, a toy must first pass SIRIM safety certification and obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoA)—toys are a mandatory-certification item, and without this certificate they cannot be listed. The full path is: confirm the applicable standard → submit samples for type testing → obtain a passing test report → apply for the SIRIM Certificate of Conformity → complete labelling → cooperate with consignment inspection on import. This article breaks down each step so you know what to prepare at each stage and where the bottlenecks usually are. (For the full overview, see the Malaysia toy safety certification and labelling guide.)

The certification process (step by step)

1. Confirm the applicable standard and age grade: First confirm the MS ISO 8124 series standard applicable to the product, and the recommended age determined by design and testing. This step determines which test items are needed later.
2. Submit samples for type testing: Send samples to SIRIM or its accredited laboratory for type testing—mechanical/physical, flammability and chemical.
3. Obtain a passing type test report: Once all tests pass, obtain the type test report as the basis for the certificate application.
4. Apply for the SIRIM Certificate of Conformity (CoA): Apply to SIRIM for the Certificate of Conformity using the passing report.
5. Complete labelling: Add the conformity mark (≥ 5mm × 5mm), the CoA number, the recommended age and warnings to the label.
6. Cooperate with consignment inspection on import: Imported toys cooperate with consignment inspection at the point of arrival.

What to prepare at each stage

Why "type testing"?

Type testing targets the product's design type—confirming that this design itself is safe mechanically, in terms of flammability and chemically. The samples submitted must therefore be representative; you cannot test a version different from mass production. If the design or materials are substantially changed later, you usually need to re-confirm whether the testing still covers it.

Can an overseas report be used directly?

EN 71 is aligned with MS ISO 8124, so an existing overseas test report may be accepted, saving duplicate testing. But whether it is accepted—and whether the Certificate of Conformity can ultimately be issued—is in practice subject to SIRIM. Do not assume an overseas report will automatically apply before confirming. This point is especially easy to overlook during import toy checks.

Common bottlenecks

• Getting the standard wrong at the start, so the test items are incomplete and re-testing drags out the timeline.
• The submitted samples not matching the mass-production version, so the report's representativeness is questioned.
• Obtaining the certificate but making mistakes at the labelling stage: mark too small, missing CoA number, age and warnings incomplete.
• Only doing the certification, forgetting that the import side still requires consignment inspection.

For details of the test items, see the MS ISO 8124 test items; for labelling details, see how to label the recommended age and warnings.

How to sequence the timeline

Certification is a path with a fixed order; if any step is not in place, nothing after it can move. So plan by working backwards: first fix the launch date, then leave time going back for consignment inspection, labelling, certificate issuance, type testing and sample acceptance. In practice the most underestimated step is "confirming the standard"—nail down the applicable MS ISO 8124 sub-standards and the recommended age at the very start, and the test items won't be missed or need re-testing.

A few practices that make the process smoother:

• Prepare all data at once: organise the product specifications, materials and which components are included (electric / magnets / button batteries) beforehand, so there is less back-and-forth at submission.
• Samples must match: the submitted samples must be consistent with mass production, to avoid the report's representativeness being questioned and having to re-test.
• Prepare labelling in parallel: don't wait for the certificate before thinking about the label; the layout of the conformity mark, CoA number, age and warnings can be designed in advance, and the CoA number added directly once obtained.
• Leave inspection time for imports: consignment inspection is a step unique to imports; leave room in the schedule and don't cram it into the day before launch.

Self-check checklist

• [ ] The applicable MS ISO 8124 sub-standard and recommended age confirmed
• [ ] Submitted samples are representative and consistent with mass production
• [ ] Type testing (mechanical / flammability / chemical) all passed
• [ ] The SIRIM Certificate of Conformity (CoA) obtained
• [ ] The label carries the conformity mark (≥ 5mm), CoA number, age and warnings
• [ ] Consignment inspection arranged for the import

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Is SIRIM certification mandatory? Yes. Toys are subject to mandatory certification; without passing they may not be sold, and without a SIRIM Certificate of Conformity they cannot be listed.

Q: Can an overseas report be accepted? EN 71 is aligned with MS ISO 8124, so an existing report may be accepted, but whether it is accepted is, in practice, subject to SIRIM; it is advisable to confirm before planning the timeline.

Q: Is it finished once I have the certificate? Not yet. After obtaining the CoA, you must complete labelling (conformity mark, CoA number, age, warnings); imported toys must also cooperate with consignment inspection before they can truly go to market.

Q: Do I need to re-certify if the design changes? If the design or materials are substantially changed, the original type test may no longer cover it, and re-confirmation or re-testing is usually needed to ensure the certificate remains valid.

Summary

Toy certification = MS ISO 8124 testing + SIRIM Certificate of Conformity (CoA) + correct labelling, plus one more step of consignment inspection for imports. Get the standard right and the samples right first, and the certificate and labelling that follow will go smoothly. Want to check your label and warnings first? Run a free label check now.

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.