P
roduct certification is the process of certifying
that a certain product has passed safety,
performance and quality assurance tests, and
meets qualification and interoperable criteria
stipulated in regulations or mandatory specifications.
As more and more people use communications devices
and for longer and longer periods of time, safety and
interoperability of the devices they use become extremely
important. Device certification is the process which the
government ensures this.
In the communications industry, Malaysian
Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
has the responsibility to promote the development
of standards which is crucial in ensuring network
interoperability and safety of consumers. In line with this
objective, communications equipment shall be certified
according to the relevant standards before they can be
used, offered for sale or sold in the country.
Only communications equipment which are certified
as compliant with the standards can be imported into the
country. This requirement is enforced through the Customs
(Prohibition of Imports)(Amendment)(No 4) Order 2015.
CERTIFICATION
Product certification is often required in safety, health
and reliability sensitive industries and marketplace areas
where a failure could have serious consequences, such as
negatively affecting the health and welfare of the people
or person using that product. For example, certification
is stringent in aerospace applications, since the demand
for low weight tend to lead to high stress on components,
requiring appropriate metallurgy and accuracy in
manufacturing. Other examples of sensitive products
include food, pharmaceutical, healthcare, dangerous
goods, and products that have RF emissions such as
computers and cellular telephones.
Some of the risks which can be incurred when using
non-certified communications devices include electric
shock or fire which can be lethal, Electromagnetic Field
(EMF) emissions above safe levels and interference or
compatibility. The product may also be a fake product and
affect customer satisfaction. Finally, the product is likely
to be illegal, placing the purchaser in probable breach of
the law.
Communications
Device Certification
Certification of communications devices plays a role
in ensuring the Malaysian market carries a wide
range of safe and interoperable devices.
Abdul Karim Abdul Razak
[email protected]Feature
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