Retailers reminded that vapes need Sirim approval

KUALA LUMPUR: All electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) and vape device retailers have to ensure their products have the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim) certification mark, says the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.

Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said his ministry will work with Sirim to ensure e-cigarette devices receive the MS Sirim certification mark, which meets Sirim QAS International Sdn Bhd standards.

“We received reports and concerns from certain parties. What I want to say on behalf of the ministry is that our jurisdiction is related to the Trade Description Act 2011.

“There is a specific order related to the provision and marking of electronic cigarette devices, issued in 2022, and to enforce that order, we will cooperate with Sirim QAS International,” he told a press conference yesterday, Bernama reported.

Effective Aug 3, 2022, manufacturers and importers of e-cigarette devices must apply for the MS Sirim certification mark from Sirim QAS International.

The MS Sirim certification mark must be placed on the e-cigarette device, its spare parts or case of the device. It must also be easily visible to the user to show that the device has complied with the standard and is safe to use.

The Star reported yesterday that creative labelling and hidden listings by online sellers have allowed vapes to bypass the ban and reach students, who are sneaking devices that look like stationery items into school.

It reported that vapes were still being sold online, albeit under “camouflage” though it has already been a month since the law regulating smoking products came into force.

While most e-commerce sites are adhering to the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which bars online vape sales beginning Oct 1, some unscrupulous sellers have continued selling them using different keywords. Instead of listing their products as vapes, these sellers are advertising them as batteries, candy, crayons and even face masks, among others.

Meanwhile, Armizan reminded traders not to hike the price of products made from refined white sugar. This follows the government’s move to increase the excise duty rate for sugary drinks in phases by 40sen per litre from Jan 1 next year.

“I think we can live without taking a lot of sugar and that is what the government announced,” he said.