PETALING JAYA: The enforcement of the regulation mandating engine oil products sold in Malaysia to be certified has been postponed, says the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
Its director-general (enforcement) Datuk Azman Adam said the enforcement of the Trade Descriptions Order (Certification and Marking of Engine Oil for Motor Vehicles) 2024 will begin in October instead.
It had initially come into force on Monday (April 7).
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“The ministry received applications and feedback from engine oil industry players and associations on challenges in adhering to this, especially finishing existing stock on the market.
“Hence, the ministry has agreed to delay the enforcement order for six months, beginning April 7,” he said in a statement on Friday (April 11).
The ministry, he said, urges industry players to take the necessary measures in ensuring products sold in the market will have the Sirim-certified label once enforced beginning Oct 7.
“Once this postponement period ends, strict action will be taken on any companies, distributors, or traders found selling products that do not have the authentic certification label from SIRIM,” he said.
Corporate bodies will face a fine of not more than RM200,000, if convicted.
Non-corporate bodies will meanwhile face a fine of not more than RM100,000 or a jail term of no longer than three-years, or both.
“The ministry will continue holding engagements with industry players to ensure they take immediate measures in adhering to the Order,” he said.
Previously, interest groups have said the move will protect consumers, while helping authorities curb the sale of counterfeit oils.
The order was actually gazetted on Oct 11 last year but the government had given manufacturers six months up till April 7 to comply with the directives.
Under this directive, those looking to supply motor vehicle engine oil have to make an application to SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd, as the competent authority, to obtain certification and conformity label.
Engine oil here refers to oil used for lubrication of internal combustion engine motor vehicles.
According to the Guidelines for Certification and Marking of Engine Oils for Motor Vehicles uploaded to the SIRIM QAS website, products must undergo several tests.
Upon successful compliance, the applicant will be given a certificate of genuine product licence or a batch verification report.
Successful applicants may then mark their product with the SIRIM genuine product certification.
They can also apply for the Conformity Label, which must be affixed at the top of the container lid of the engine oil.
Engine oils with the Conformity Label will be selected from the market to undergo periodic tests to confirm compliance.
Between January 2019 to February this year, 240 complaints regarding motor vehicle engine oil products were received by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.
A total of 36 enforcement actions were taken, with seizure amounting to RM1,154,198.
