COMMUNICATION DEVICES MUST BE CERTIFIED
Despite continuous efforts by MCMC to encourage consumers to use only certified devices in the country, the use of uncertified devices is still quite widespread as consumers are able to purchase them from around the world via e-commerce. These consumers may be unaware that the communications devices or equipment procured are required to be certified by SIRIM for use in Malaysia, according to the laws and regulations of the country, including the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA) and the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000.
As a result, there have been increasing cases of frequency interference caused by equipment and devices such as DECT or cordless phones, boom gates using RFID scanners, Audio/Visual transceivers and mobile boosters over the last two years. Compared to 2016, the number of cases increased threefold in 2017 and by almost the same number in 2018.
Devices and equipment that carry labels from other countries, such as CE or FCC may not be able to be used in Malaysia on the same frequencies that they operate at in the countries of origin if the same frequency has already been allocated for a different use here, for example, cellular services. The use of these devices or equipment will degrade the quality of those services, thus affecting other consumers. The effect is more severe if the interference is caused to safety and security services such as emergency services and air traffic control.
Through its’ Check Your Label campaign, MCMC advises the public to only purchase communications devices and equipment bearing the MCMC label as confirmation that the device or equipment is certified according to the standards that have been set.
SIRIM is the certifying agency for MCMC and the process is laid out clearly in their website. Aside from compliance to the CMA and Technical Standards, the benefits set out in SIRIM’s website include protecting consumer rights, assuring the safety of the general public as well as any communications or other equipment and ensuring that there is no interference, impairment, malfunction or harm to any other communications product.
All these procedures are to ensure consumer safety and protection and MCMC reiterates the need for individuals and companies alike to have their communications devices and equipment certified. For more information, please refer to https://cyl.mcmc.gov.my.
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