SIRIM: Many EV chargers in Malaysia are not certified, mandatory test mooted, process now shortened

Many electric vehicle chargers deployed in Malaysia don’t have SIRIM certification. It should be noted that a SIRIM certificate is not mandatory for EV chargers, specifically called Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), but SIRIM is proposing to make this compulsory.

There are already several agencies governing public charging facilities, including Suruhanjaya Tenaga (Energy Commission) and local councils, but neither physically inspects the EVSEs. Also, EVSEs installed by private home owners for their personal use are not regulated.

“The SIRIM certification for all EV-related facilities could be compulsory within one or two years,” said SIRIM Bhd President and group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad, as reported by the New Straits Times.

"It (SIRIM certification) is not mandatory now. The government is giving companies time to keep the industry growing.

"There are some companies that already have their certifications as they have sent their products to be tested by SIRIM, but many have yet to do so," he said, adding that testing period has now been shortened from six months to two months.

"In the EV ecosystem, SIRIM provides blanket approval for all EV infrastructure entering Malaysia. This includes ensuring the safety of the batteries used inside the EV.

"We have a testing centre for the batteries in Kulim, Kedah. We also want to ensure EV charging ports in Malaysia are uniform and comply with international standards to ensure road users can safely use their EVs,” he said.

EVSEs are used not just by pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs), but also plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

As of end-2023, there are over 2,020 EVSEs installed in Malaysia.