Based on current regulations, various types of telecommunications and ICT devices are required to obtain type approval certification before entering and being marketed in Malaysia. Therefore, it is important for manufacturers to understand the type approval certification process for telecommunications and ICT devices in Malaysia. The SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd or SIRIM is the regulatory body for telecommunications and ICT devices in Malaysia. Therefore, the type approval certification for Malaysia is also known as SIRIM certification.
In this article we will discuss all about Malaysia SIRIM type approval certification for telecommunications and ICT devices before being marketed in Malaysia.
Type approval certification in Malaysia
Before manufacturers importing their telecommunications devices to Malaysia, they need to prepare type approval certification of their telecommunications devices first. In Malaysia, the type approval certification for telecommunications and ICT devices is managed by SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd (SIRIM).
SIRIM is a registered certifying agency by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) responsible to provide product compliance approval pursuant to Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Therefore, type approval certification for telecommunications and ICT devices in Malaysia is also known as SIRIM certification.
Telecommunications equipment either wired, wireless, or a combination of both are required to do type approval certification based on two equipment categories of SIRIM applications below:
- Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) including Hybrid equipment
- Network Facilities
Telecommunications equipment that operates outside from the allowable frequency band and not as per designated application, stated in the applicable regulations, shall be referred to MCMC for frequency clearance.
Requirements of SIRIM certification
In most cases, local testing is not mandatory for SIRIM certification. However, local testing is still required for product with cellular functions. Therefore, SIRIM certification can be done by just submitting test reports from foreign laboratories for non cellular products. Here is list of the required documents for SIRIM certification under paperwork method:
- Application form specified by SIRIM Office
- Test reports from ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs
- Letter of Authorization (LoA)
- Trademark registration certificate
- Trademark authorization letter
- Product specifications
- User manual
- Photos of equipment show external and internal parts with rating label artwork
Applicants of SIRIM certification
The applicant of SIRIM certification must be a local registered company in Malaysia with a valid registration number under a commission of Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM). The Malaysian companies can be categorized into several roles as follows:
- Manufacturer
- Assembler
- Importer
- Network Operator/Service Provider
- Authorized Consultant
The applicants must appoint their management representative who will be responsible for application of SIRIM certification. The management representative has a responsible to register the applicant company in Online Certification for Communications & Multimedia Equipment (e-ComM) system. Therefore, the management representative will automatically become the administrator of the applicant company account.
The applicants also allow to appoint a consultant to submit their application of SIRIM certification. The consultant shall have the same responsibilities as the applicant company and need to sign the same letter as applicant company. The list of registered consultant can be found in e-ComM system.
Lead time of SIRIM certification
Since the common method of Malaysia SIRIM certification is through the paperwork-based method, then the lead time is relatively shorter. In average the lead time of SIRIM certification will take around 2 weeks after receipt all required documents.
However, cellular devices are still required to conduct functionality and verification test. Therefore, the lead time for cellular devices may longer around 4-6 weeks. The paperwork method usually applicable for non-cellular devices that already have test reports from overseas laboratories recognized by SIRIM Office.
Label requirements of SIRIM certification
All type approved telecommunications equipment with a valid SIRIM certificate shall carry out an MCMC marking. The SIRIM certification mark shall be implemented through Self Labelling Process (SLP) where a certificate holder shall obtain SLP ID and register the serial number or IMEI number of the equipment before releasing the equipment into the market.
- ABCD 15345678: SLP ID of supplier or manufacturer
The SIRIM certification mark shall be associated with unique SLP ID either for certificate holder or principal, and it shall be used according to guideline specify in eCMC/DOC/04-1. There are requirements for certification mark including durability, legibility, positioning and font and symbol size.
Validity of SIRIM certificates
Malaysia SIRIM certificates may valid for 1 year until 5 years depending on the validity period chosen by the applicant. The maximum validity period of SIRIM certificate is 5 years from the issuance year of the certificate.
If the approved equipment is found to be defective after its type approval due to any modification or changes of the radio features made by suppliers, SIRIM Office may asks all defective equipment to be recalled at the cost and expense of the certificate holder.
Example of SIRIM certificates
In the SIRIM certificates, several information related to the telecommunication equipment and applicant will be mentioned. Below is an example of Malaysia SIRIM certificate for telecommunications devices.
If you have any question related to SIRIM certification, please don’t hesitate to contact us by sending enquiry to info@narmadi.com.
