Sirim certification enforcement for non-medical face masks postponed again to July 1

PUTRAJAYA - The date of enforcement to obtain the non-medical face mask certificate from Sirim QAS International Sdn Bhd has been postponed again to July 1.

The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) in a statement said the postponement of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking) of Non-Medical Face Mask Order 2022 was made to provide the opportunity for more manufacturers and distributors in the country to obtain the certificate.

The ministry had previously set July 4, 2022, as the enforcement date.

However, based on an announcement by the ministry on April 7, the same year, the enforcement date of the order was postponed to Jan 1, this year.

"During that time, KPDN had taken an educational approach whereby enforcement and punishment were not taken on companies or individuals who distributed, manufactured and sold non-medical face masks that did not have the relevant certification standard," it said.

The ministry said it will impose a ban on non-medical face masks without the Sirim certification.

"The government believes that the period until the end of June 2023 is sufficient for manufacturers and distributors to obtain the standard certificate for non-medical face masks sold in the country," it said.