Penang: SIRIM Berhad continues to strengthen its role in driving local industrial growth with the opening of two new laboratories in Penang - the Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Sterilisation Laboratory and the Radio Frequency (RF) Laboratory - which began operations earlier this year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, SIRIM Group chief marketing officer Mohd Faisal Abdul Shukor stated that the two laboratories underscored SIRIM's commitment to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by easing operational burdens and helping them meet stringent international standards.
He elaborated that the EtO laboratory was strategically designed to meet the pressing needs of the medical device sector, offering cost-effective sterilisation for small-volume products with higher efficiency and fewer cycles. The laboratory, equipped with six Euro pallet chambers, serves as a one-stop centre for SMEs to access medical equipment, conduct product testing, and utilise the certification and inspection services offered. These services are now available at more affordable rates, and customers can directly obtain product testing services, including SIRIM certification.
At the SIRIM Silaturasa 2025 programme, held in conjunction with SIRIM's 50th anniversary, the laboratories were showcased to the media. State Trade, Entrepreneurial and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Rashidi Zinol officiated the ceremony, where Mohd Faisal highlighted the laboratory's role in providing essential and affordable services to local companies. This initiative helps meet global demand, make innovation safer, and accelerate growth for both businesses and the economy.
The EtO laboratory focuses on sterilising medical equipment, especially those unable to withstand high temperatures, while the RF laboratory conducts research and development, testing, and certification of products using radio waves.
Mohd Faisal also advised consumers to ensure that goods, particularly electrical and electronic products purchased online, bear the SIRIM safety certification label to ensure their safety. He noted the rising trend of online purchases, particularly from overseas, and the associated risks of products that have not undergone SIRIM testing. Many online products bypass mandatory physical testing, highlighting SIRIM's role in reminding consumers to buy products with safety assurance labels. Although some products from abroad adhere to their respective country-of-origin standards, they still require local testing and certification before being marketed in Malaysia.