KUALA LUMPUR: Sirim QAS International Sdn Bhd will offer reasonable prices for the testing, inspection and certification of non-medical face masks to prevent a price hike of the items.
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, had on April 7, announced that all non-medical face masks manufactured locally or imported into Malaysia must have MS Sirim certification and marking, before being sold.
The directive, that will take effect on Jan 1, 2023, came after the gazettement of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Non-Medical Face Mask) Order 2022 on April 6.
Sirim president and group chief executive Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said the company would also hold engagement sessions with manufacturers and industry players on the testing and certification process of non-medical face masks.
"SIRIM QAS International conducts tests on non-medical face masks according to SIRIM 40, CWA 17553, AFNOR SPEC S76-001, MS 2323 or BS EN 149 standards, which measures their functionality, quality and safety.
"These include determining the product may protect users from infectious agents, are comfortable to wear and allow users to breathe easily.
"Non-medical face masks include reusable face masks, fabric face masks, single-use masks, three-ply masks and industrial face masks, which are used by the general public.
"The standards specify that a non-medical face mask shall have a minimum of 70 per cent filtration efficiency, the higher the filtration efficiency rate, thus the better the performance.
"As a responsible organisation, SIRIM QAS International is offering reasonable prices for the testing, inspection and certification of non-medical face masks.
"This is to help manufacturers and importers keep their costs low and not pass it on to the people," he said in a statement today.
Sabirin also gave his assurances of Sirim's assistance to manufacturers and importers of non-medical face masks to ensure they meet the required standards and obtain Sirim certification.
"We practise ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS), which means that our processes meet the highest standards of ethics and good governance.
"This is a guarantee to our reliability and trustworthiness and that we do not compromise on quality," he said.
Sabirin also urged consumers to use only Sirim certified non-medical face masks to protect themselves and their loved ones.
"Even before Covid-19, many people used non-medical face masks for various reasons, such as to protect themselves against poor air quality, for industrial use or to prevent the spread of infections such as the flu.
"So even if we are entering the endemic phase, it is still important to ensure that non-medical face masks sold in Malaysia meet the right standards," he added.