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Fuziah: Regulations on safety standards for rechargeable batteries still in policy stage

KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has no specific regulations regarding safety standards involving secondary batteries or rechargeable batteries.

Its Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh said proposals on the regulations, however, were in the process of policy approval.

"The ministry had no specific regulations concerning the sale of products that require Sirim certification unless there are complaints regarding the misuse of fake certifications or any bodies regarding goods or services, in which case an investigation can be conducted under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011.

"If it involves electrical goods, it generally falls under the Energy Commission to enforce approvals for electrical items," she told the New Straits Times.

Fuziah said there were various possibilities for the electric shock on the express bus, which killed an 18-year-old man in Penang on Friday.

The victim was believed to have plugged his phone into the socket on the bus to charge.

"We need to wait for the fire department's investigation report first to determine the cause of the fire.

"There could be a short circuit in the socket or wiring, and if the installation of the phone chargers or sockets received approval from the Road Transport Department, the Land Public Transport Agency, or the Energy Commission."

Meanwhile, Fuziah stressed the importance of selecting safe products and using them properly.

"It is indeed necessary to emphasise in every programme the importance of reading labels carefully, choosing safe products and using them correctly," she added.

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