Malaysia to re enforce mandatory standards for steel products
Tuesday, 13 Oct 2009
Bernama quoted Mr Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan deputy minister of international trade and industry as saying that the implementation of mandatory standards for iron and steel products will be re enforced effective.
He said that the enforcement would be based on a revised list of 187 from 627 tariff lines of iron and steel products, which include intermediate raw materials. The items include hot rolled coils, cold rolled coils, steel bars, billet, sections, wire rods, pipes and tubes, scaffolding, sheet piles, rails and manhole covers.
He added that "Importers of the products must obtain a Certificate of Approval to ensure compliance with Malaysian standards."
Mr Dungau said that the Construction Industry Development Board would be responsible for issuing the COA for construction products and SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd for non construction or manufacturing products. He added that "However, for any local sales made by companies under LMW and FIZ, the buyer are still required to apply for COA from SIRIM QAS International if the products are subjected to COA requirement."
For steel service centre, he said that the exemption would be considered only for products imported for the consumption of oil and gas, automotive, maritime or shipbuilding, aerospace and electric and electronic sectors. He added that "However, products imported for other sectors are required to obtain COA from SIRIM QAS International."
Earlier, SIRIM QAS International managing director Ms Datuk Mariani Mohammad said that fees and charges for testing and verification of COA application has been reduced to average rate between MYR 1,850 to MYR 2,000 from maximum MYR 3,400 charged previously.
She said that SIRIM QAS International has also placed their officers at the main customs' entry points such as Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Tanjung Puteri, Pasir Gudang, Butterworth and Kuching to undertake testing. She added that "We also have introduced on line (e permit) system for importers to submit their application on line and the approval will also be done on line."
