A Malaysian Standard (MS) is approved by the Minister of International Trade and Industry under the Standards of Malaysia Act 1996 [Act 549], and it becomes mandatory only when a regulatory agency enforces its use through the relevant Act and Regulations[4]. For mandatory products, the certification standards are determined by the regulatory agencies[3].
Key facts
| MS approval | Malaysian Standard (MS) is approved by the Minister of International Trade and Industry under the Standards of Malaysia Act 1996 [Act 549] [4] |
|---|---|
| When mandatory | The MS becomes mandatory when a regulatory agency enforces its use through the relevant Act and Regulations [4] |
| Who sets standards | If the product is mandatory, the standards used for certification have been determined by the regulatory agencies [3] |
| Public comment | Public comment on a Draft Malaysian Standard is conducted for 60 days as stipulated in Annex 3, para L of the WTO-TBT Agreement [4] |
| Machinery exports | Malaysia's exports of HS 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances) to the world rose from about US$20.18 billion in 2020 to about US$31.88 billion in 2024 [1] |
How does a Malaysian Standard become mandatory?
A Malaysian Standard is a consensus document developed by Standards Development Committees and approved by the Minister of International Trade and Industry under the Standards of Malaysia Act 1996 [Act 549][4]. It becomes mandatory only when a regulatory agency enforces its use through the relevant Act and Regulations[4].
Any proposal for a new development or revision or amendment of a Malaysian Standard requires a formal request through a New Work Item Proposal (NP) form[4]. Contents of a Malaysian Standard are copyrighted and belong to the Department of Standards Malaysia[4].
Show the numbers
| Year | US$ |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 20,181,720,479 |
| 2021 | 25,048,111,663 |
| 2022 | 27,031,726,768 |
| 2023 | 23,933,353,593 |
| 2024 | 31,883,842,910 |
Which regulators can make an MS mandatory?
Product certification is mandatory only when required by regulators such as the Energy Commission, Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, National Water Services Commission, Road Transport Department, and others[3]. These agencies are the ones that enforce standards through the Act and Regulations that cover their area[4].
What documents apply to machinery imports?
Approved Permits (APs) under the control of MITI are enforced and issued based on the Customs Act 1967 under the Customs (Prohibition on Import and Export) Order, 2023[5]. A certificate confirming the country of machinery origin is also required[5].
A Manufacturing License from MITI or Customs is required and is applicable only to Manufacturer applicants[5]. A Business License from the Local Authority is required and is applicable only to Trader or Service Centre applicants[5]. Importation of new batteries must be accompanied by a SIRIM certificate which confirms the status and safety of the battery[5].
How can buyers verify a certified product?
Once the product is certified, SIRIM QAS International issues a Product Certification License to the licensee[3]. The certified product and the name of the licensees are listed in the online database, www.malaysiancertified.com.my[3].
In the subsequent years, SIRIM QAS International conducts a surveillance audit twice a year[3]. If the project involves construction work in Malaysia, contractors must register with CIDB under Section 25 of Act 520 before undertaking construction work, except those exempted under Section 40(1) of Act 520[7]. Applicants must have PPK to qualify the company to apply for SPKK[7].
What import exemptions and approvals apply?
Eligible companies should apply to MIDA for the MIDA's Confirmation Letter (Surat Pengesahan MIDA) and subsequently submit to Customs the MIDA confirmation letter and the list of goods to be imported or purchased for permission from Customs to claim for the exemption[6]. The application must be submitted before the importation or purchase of the machinery, equipment, spare parts, prime movers, container trailers, specialised tools, components, materials or specialised consumables goods[6].
MIDA's Confirmation Letter can be applied online via https://investmalaysia.mida.gov.my[6]. Companies are advised to plan well on the importation and take into consideration the time taken for the application to be processed by the authorities[6].
What do the machinery export figures show?
Malaysia's exports of HS 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances) to the world were 20,181,720,479 in 2020, 25,048,111,663 in 2021, 27,031,726,768 in 2022, 23,933,353,593 in 2023 and 31,883,842,910 in 2024[1]. These annual values are shown in the chart below.
Machinery and transport equipment contributed 31 percent of value added in manufacturing in 2016, 31.41 percent in 2017, 30.8 percent in 2018, 31 percent in 2019, 32.33 percent in 2020, 30.69 percent in 2021 and 31.35 percent in 2022[2]. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of value added in manufacturing, which is the contribution to the economy by the manufacturing sector (ISIC Rev. 3 major division D)[2].
Where can buyers find Malaysian machinery suppliers?
IndustryConnect (industryconnect.ai) is a free-to-search directory of industrial suppliers in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Brunei and Timor-Leste. You can browse machinery suppliers in Malaysia, machinery parts suppliers, and packaging machinery suppliers.
For a wider view, the Malaysia supplier directory lists categories, and the ASEAN supplier directories cover the region.
Suppliers to contact in Malaysia
- BUROOJ STARS SDN BHD ( B- pack)
- Clearpack Malaysia Sdn Bhd
- Easy Pack Machinery Sdn Bhd
- Excellentpack Machinery Sdn. Bhd.
- Fillpack Technology Sdn. Bhd.
- Greenamics Technology Sdn Bhd
- Labelling To Pack Enterprise (Packaging & Labelling Machine Supplier Malaysia)
- Master Code Asia Sdn Bhd
See all packaging machinery suppliers in Malaysia →
Listed in the directory; contact suppliers directly and run your own checks before ordering.
Questions buyers ask
Is a Malaysian Standard automatically mandatory for all machinery?
No. An MS is a technical document that specifies the minimum requirements of quality and safety for voluntary use by the public[4].
Who approves a Malaysian Standard?
A Malaysian Standard is approved by the Minister of International Trade and Industry in accordance with the Standards of Malaysia Act 1996 [Act 549][4].
How long is the public comment period for a draft MS?
Public comment on a Draft Malaysian Standard is conducted for 60 days as stipulated in Annex 3, para L of the WTO-TBT Agreement[4].
What documents do I need to import machinery into Malaysia?
Documents include a certificate confirming the country of machinery origin, a Manufacturing License from MITI or Customs for Manufacturer applicants, or a Business License from the Local Authority for Trader or Service Centre applicants[5]. Approved Permits under MITI are enforced and issued under the Customs Act 1967 and Customs (Prohibition on Import and Export) Order 2023[5].
Sources
- Exports of HS 84 (machinery and mechanical appliances) to the world: Malaysia UN Comtrade; accessed 2026-11-05
- Machinery and transport equipment (% of value added in manufacturing): Malaysia World Bank, World Development Indicators, 2026-10-08; accessed 2026-11-05
- Frequently Asked Question CADiv SIRIM QAS International; accessed 2026-11-03
- Department of Standards Malaysia - FAQs Department of Standards Malaysia (Jabatan Standard Malaysia); accessed 2026-11-03
- Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia); accessed 2026-11-03
- Online Applications MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority); accessed 2026-11-03
- Pendaftaran Kontraktor | CIDB HQ Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB); accessed 2026-11-03
How this article was made: it was produced with AI from the public sources listed above, and a second AI model checked every figure and claim against those sources before it was published. No person reviewed it before publishing. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.