KUCHING: The enforcement of the MS SIRIM certification for non-medical face masks will be postponed to January 2023.
According to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs minister (MDTCA) Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, the delay of the enforcement is after taking into account the feedback from the public on the increase in the price of the face mask and also giving time to manufacturers and importers to get the SIRIM marking.
“On the issue of price increases, SIRIM has assured that low marking costs will be imposed on manufacturers and importers, which will not affect retail prices.
“I also remind manufacturers and importers not to raise prices or the ministry will have to set a ceiling price for non-medical face masks,” he said in his Facebook page on Thursday (Apr 7).
Following this, he also clarified the misunderstanding by some parties on consumers will be compounded if they wear face masks without the SIRIM certification.
“I emphasised that this action will only apply to manufacturers and importers. Consumers will not be subject to any action if they are using non-medical face masks,” he said.
Commenting further, Nanta noted that the process to enforce the SIRIM certification for the non-medical face masks takes a very long time (as the process started in 2020).
“Our country has been one of the producers of face masks since before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“With the SIRIM certification, this allows non-medical face masks produced in the country to be exported and sold to foreign countries as it meets the international standards,” he added.
