Advisory: Upcoming Mandatory SIRIM Certification for Battery Exports to Malaysia
Attention: Consignors, freight forwarders, and all supply chain partners involved in shipping battery products from China to Malaysia.
A key regulatory update from Malaysia requires immediate attention for your logistics and compliance planning. The Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) has published new guidelines that will mandate certification for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
1. Core Regulatory Update
- Document: Guidelines for Certification and Labelling of Battery Energy Storage (First Edition), published by SIRIM in September 2025.
- Scope: The guidelines cover rechargeable electrochemical energy storage products, including:
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Lead-acid batteries
- Nickel-based batteries
- Other emerging battery technologies
- This applies to products such as UPS backup power systems, traction batteries, portable device batteries, and stationary energy storage systems.
- Timeline: Certification is currently voluntary. However, mandatory enforcement is anticipated to begin in June 2026.
2. Impact on International Logistics (Sea & Air Freight)
This regulation primarily affects customs clearance and market access at the destination port in Malaysia, not the pre-carriage international transport classification.
- Transport Classification (Unchanged): Battery shipments will continue to be regulated as Dangerous Goods (typically Class 9) under the IMDG Code for sea freight and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) for air cargo. All existing requirements for proper declaration, packaging, marking, labeling, and documentation (e.g., DGD, MSDS) for the transport leg remain in full effect.
- Clearance Risk: As of the expected enforcement date (June 2026), shipments of covered battery products arriving at Malaysian ports (e.g., Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas) without the requisite SIRIM certification may be denied customs release. This can lead to significant demurrage, detention, storage fees, and potential rejection or forced re-export of the cargo.
3. Actionable Recommendations for the Supply Chain
To mitigate disruption and avoid costly delays, proactive steps are essential:
- Verify Product Scope: Confirm if your products (batteries or equipment containing them) fall under the guidelines.
- Initiate Compliance & Certification Immediately: Engage with manufacturers or a conformity assessment body (CAB) to begin the SIRIM certification process against the referenced international standards (e.g., IEC 62619, IEC 62133). Do not wait.
- Plan for Documentation: Future shipments will likely require the SIRIM certificate or a valid Declaration of Conformity to be presented to Malaysian customs alongside standard shipping and dangerous goods transport documents.
- Communicate with Partners: Ensure your supplier, manufacturer, and freight forwarder are aligned on this new requirement and its timeline.
4. Conclusion
The mandatory SIRIM certification represents a significant change in the compliance landscape for battery imports into Malaysia. Integrating this new certification timeline into your supply chain and product compliance strategy is now a critical component of risk management for this trade lane. Stakeholders are advised to act promptly to ensure a seamless transition before the expected enforcement in mid-2026.
Summary: SIRIM Certification Requirements at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuing Authority | SIRIM (Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia) |
| Document | Guidelines for Certification and Labelling of Battery Energy Storage (First Edition) |
| Publication Date | September 2025 |
| Current Status | Voluntary |
| Expected Mandatory Date | June 2026 |
| Affected Products | Lithium-ion, lead-acid, nickel-based batteries, BESS, UPS systems, traction batteries, portable device batteries |
| Reference Standards | IEC 62619, IEC 62133, and other relevant international standards |
| Key Malaysian Ports | Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas |
| Transport Classification | Class 9 Dangerous Goods (IMDG Code / IATA DGR) - unchanged |
Disclaimer: This advisory provides general information based on SIRIM Guidelines for Certification and Labelling of Battery Energy Storage (First Edition) published September 2025. Mandatory enforcement anticipated June 2026. Always consult certified dangerous goods personnel, your freight forwarder, and the latest regulatory editions for specific cargo compliance requirements.