SIRIM vs ST CoA: which approval does your product need?
Malaysia has two separate product approvals, run by two different regulators, for two different reasons. They're easy to confuse — and getting it wrong stalls your launch. Here's a clear way to tell whether your product needs SIRIM Type Approval, ST CoA, or both.
The one-line rule
Which one do you need?
- Does it transmit or receive radio (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, RF)? → SIRIM Type Approval
- Is it regulated electrical equipment (a safety concern)? → ST CoA
- Is it both (e.g. a smart appliance with WiFi)? → you need both
SIRIM Type Approval vs ST CoA, side by side
| SIRIM Type Approval | ST CoA | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | MCMC (via SIRIM) | Suruhanjaya Tenaga (Energy Commission) |
| Governing law | Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 | Electricity Supply Act 1990 & Electricity Regulations 1994 (Act 447) |
| What it covers | Communications & multimedia / radio equipment | 34 categories of regulated electrical equipment |
| Concerned with | Radio spectrum & communications compliance | Electrical safety & energy efficiency |
| Marking | MCMC label | ST-SIRIM safety label + Energy-Efficiency label |
| Typical timeline | ~2–4 weeks (standard) | Depends on testing & category |
You need SIRIM Type Approval if…
Your product contains a radio transmitter or receiver. For example:
- Mobile phones and tablets
- WiFi routers, modems, and access points
- Bluetooth earbuds, speakers, and headsets
- IoT devices, sensors, and gateways
- RFID / NFC equipment and two-way radios
See our SIRIM Type Approval checklist for the exact documents and process.
You need ST CoA if…
Your product is one of the 34 categories of regulated electrical equipment covered for safety. For example:
- Air-conditioners and refrigerators
- Washing machines and other household appliances
- Televisions and audio equipment
- LED lighting and luminaires
- Power adapters, chargers, and certain cables and accessories
You need both if…
Your product is a regulated electrical appliance and it has wireless connectivity. Smart appliances are the classic case:
- Smart TVs (regulated electrical + WiFi/Bluetooth)
- WiFi-connected air-conditioners
- Smart refrigerators and washing machines
- Connected / smart lighting with wireless control
Handling two approvals with two separate processes is where a lot of time gets lost. MY Broadband manages both SIRIM Type Approval and ST CoA under one roof — one point of contact, one timeline.
You need neither if…
Your product has no radio function and isn't a regulated electrical category — for example, a purely mechanical product. If you're not sure, it's worth checking: many mains-powered consumer products fall under ST CoA even when they seem simple, and anything wireless triggers SIRIM.
Still not sure which you need?
Tell us about your product and we'll confirm the exact approval route — SIRIM, ST CoA, or both — and quote it.
Request a quoteFrequently asked questions
Does my product need SIRIM Type Approval or ST CoA?
If it transmits or receives radio (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, RF), it needs SIRIM Type Approval. If it's one of the 34 categories of regulated electrical equipment, it needs ST CoA. Products that are both — like a WiFi air-conditioner — need both.
My product has WiFi and plugs into mains — which do I need?
Most likely both. The WiFi radio triggers SIRIM Type Approval, and if the product is a regulated electrical appliance it also needs ST CoA.
Can one company handle both approvals?
Yes — MY Broadband handles both SIRIM Type Approval and ST CoA end to end, so you deal with one partner instead of two separate processes.
What's the difference between the labels?
Approved communications equipment carries the MCMC label; approved electrical equipment carries the ST-SIRIM safety label plus an Energy-Efficiency label. A product needing both approvals carries both.
This guide is general information, not regulatory advice. Requirements can vary by product and change over time — request a quote or message us for guidance on your specific product.
