Do not hike prices of facemask after MS Sirim certification, urges expert
07 Apr 2022 10:20am
On April 5 all manufacturers and importers of non-medical face masks must apply for certification and marking of MS SIRIM from SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd effective July 4.
SHAH ALAM - It is hoped that the MS SIRIM certification and marking for non -medical face masks, which will be enforced from July 4, will not cause an increase in the price of the product in the market.
Universiti Putra Malaysia Public Health Specialist (Epidemiology and Biostatics) Malina Osman said prices of items do go up after it is verified or certified by a certain agency.
"The government's decision through the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) ministry is indeed good to ensure the safety of individuals from being infected with Covid-19 as well as to avoid the dumping of poor quality face masks in the market.
"This gazetting is appropriate and should be implemented earlier - I just hope its enforcement will focus on epidemic control management and not burden traders or consumers," he said.
On April 5 all manufacturers and importers of non-medical face masks must apply for certification and marking of MS SIRIM from SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd effective July 4.
It follows the gazetting of the Trade Description Order (Certification and Marking) Non -Medical Face Mask 2022 under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011.
Commenting further, Malina said if there was an increase in prices, it would definitely affect consumers because face masks are now a basic necessity used on a daily basis and for traders, they may suffer losses if the existing stock of face masks cannot be used up until the enforcement period. Next July 4.
On the three -month period given before the matter came into force, Malina said the period was appropriate and the government had also certainly made a study on the appropriate period before it came into force.
“In general, similar to the enforcement of other products where there is consideration for traders to deplete existing stock and if it cannot be depleted after July 4, I hope there is a mechanism introduced so that these MS SIRIM -free face masks are not disposed of.
"It is possible to screen face masks that can be 'saved' so that they can be used, but this needs to get approval from the parties in charge," he said.
Commenting on the fine that will be imposed if they fail to comply with this order, Dr Malina hoped that it would not be imposed on consumers who wear face masks without the MS SIRIM mark.
Meanwhile, Clinical Physician and Head of Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Dr Alvin Oliver Payus said although the gazetting was aimed at ensuring face masks in the market met the standards, it was not appropriate if there was a price increase as it did not affect the process. manufacture and delivery.
“All that is needed is a body to monitor the quality of face masks that are on the market... I agree with this enforcement in an effort to ensure people wear face masks that have the best protection, we are not like the United States (US), its people no longer have to wear face masks, ”he said.
According to him, face masks that are on the market, especially those sold online and bought directly from China, for example, are somewhat doubtful about their safety level.
"Some non-medical face masks have certain standards such as KN95, which meets Chinese national standards while N95 meets US national standards, including Malaysia. However, there are face masks sold online directly from China. It is difficult for us to ensure the quality," he said.
Dr Alvin, meanwhile, hoped that the government would give some leeway to traders to use up the existing stocks that had been purchased before the gazetting announcement was made, after July 4.
Commenting on the fine that will be imposed if they fail to comply with this order, Dr Malina hoped that it would not be imposed on consumers who wear face masks without the MS SIRIM mark.
Meanwhile, Clinical Physician and Head of Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Dr Alvin Oliver Payus said although the gazetting was aimed at ensuring face masks in the market met the standards, it was not appropriate if there was a price increase as it did not affect the process. manufacture and delivery.
“All that is needed is a body to monitor the quality of face masks that are on the market... I agree with this enforcement in an effort to ensure people wear face masks that have the best protection, we are not like the United States (US), its people no longer have to wear face masks, ”he said.
According to him, face masks that are on the market, especially those sold online and bought directly from China, for example, are somewhat doubtful about their safety level.
"Some non-medical face masks have certain standards such as KN95, it meets Chinese national standards while N95 meets US national standards, including Malaysia. However, there are face masks sold online directly from China. It is difficult for us to ensure the quality," he said - Bernama
Universiti Putra Malaysia Public Health Specialist (Epidemiology and Biostatics) Malina Osman said prices of items do go up after it is verified or certified by a certain agency.
"The government's decision through the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) ministry is indeed good to ensure the safety of individuals from being infected with Covid-19 as well as to avoid the dumping of poor quality face masks in the market.
"This gazetting is appropriate and should be implemented earlier - I just hope its enforcement will focus on epidemic control management and not burden traders or consumers," he said.
On April 5 all manufacturers and importers of non-medical face masks must apply for certification and marking of MS SIRIM from SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd effective July 4.
It follows the gazetting of the Trade Description Order (Certification and Marking) Non -Medical Face Mask 2022 under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011.
Commenting further, Malina said if there was an increase in prices, it would definitely affect consumers because face masks are now a basic necessity used on a daily basis and for traders, they may suffer losses if the existing stock of face masks cannot be used up until the enforcement period. Next July 4.
On the three -month period given before the matter came into force, Malina said the period was appropriate and the government had also certainly made a study on the appropriate period before it came into force.
“In general, similar to the enforcement of other products where there is consideration for traders to deplete existing stock and if it cannot be depleted after July 4, I hope there is a mechanism introduced so that these MS SIRIM -free face masks are not disposed of.
"It is possible to screen face masks that can be 'saved' so that they can be used, but this needs to get approval from the parties in charge," he said.
Commenting on the fine that will be imposed if they fail to comply with this order, Dr Malina hoped that it would not be imposed on consumers who wear face masks without the MS SIRIM mark.
Meanwhile, Clinical Physician and Head of Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Dr Alvin Oliver Payus said although the gazetting was aimed at ensuring face masks in the market met the standards, it was not appropriate if there was a price increase as it did not affect the process. manufacture and delivery.
“All that is needed is a body to monitor the quality of face masks that are on the market... I agree with this enforcement in an effort to ensure people wear face masks that have the best protection, we are not like the United States (US), its people no longer have to wear face masks, ”he said.
According to him, face masks that are on the market, especially those sold online and bought directly from China, for example, are somewhat doubtful about their safety level.
"Some non-medical face masks have certain standards such as KN95, which meets Chinese national standards while N95 meets US national standards, including Malaysia. However, there are face masks sold online directly from China. It is difficult for us to ensure the quality," he said.
Dr Alvin, meanwhile, hoped that the government would give some leeway to traders to use up the existing stocks that had been purchased before the gazetting announcement was made, after July 4.
Commenting on the fine that will be imposed if they fail to comply with this order, Dr Malina hoped that it would not be imposed on consumers who wear face masks without the MS SIRIM mark.
Meanwhile, Clinical Physician and Head of Medical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Dr Alvin Oliver Payus said although the gazetting was aimed at ensuring face masks in the market met the standards, it was not appropriate if there was a price increase as it did not affect the process. manufacture and delivery.
“All that is needed is a body to monitor the quality of face masks that are on the market... I agree with this enforcement in an effort to ensure people wear face masks that have the best protection, we are not like the United States (US), its people no longer have to wear face masks, ”he said.
According to him, face masks that are on the market, especially those sold online and bought directly from China, for example, are somewhat doubtful about their safety level.
"Some non-medical face masks have certain standards such as KN95, it meets Chinese national standards while N95 meets US national standards, including Malaysia. However, there are face masks sold online directly from China. It is difficult for us to ensure the quality," he said - Bernama
