TEEAM held a meeting with Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST) on 8th November 2012 at ST Building, Putrajaya. Vice Presidents, Mr Yap Ching Kiat & Mr David Chong led the TEEAM delegation, comprising Mr Ho Khai Hong (Honorary Secretary), Mr C T Siew (Council Member), Ir Yong Ah Huat (Council Member) and Mr Tan Eng Liang (Council Member). On hand to receive TEEAM were Datuk Ir Ahmad Fauzi Hasan (CEO of Suruhanjaya Tenaga) and his senior officers. The objective of the meeting was to put forward TEEAM’s concern on the following issues:
Market Surveillance on Regulated Products
In the context of the ASEAN MRA and APEC MRA on E & E Equipment (EEE) – Market Surveillance is “the way to go” in a liberalised market. TEEAM intends to play an active role in assisting ST to carry out market surveillance to ensure that:
- the E&E products purchased have successfully passed the appropriate tests with SIRIM stickers attached on the products and,
- whether the products are compliant with the requirements of the relevant IEC Standards for the sake of public safety. TEEAM appealed to ST to appoint TEEAM as a Designated Body to carry out Market Surveillance on some or all the 31 categories of controlled items. ST highlighted that there is no provision in the Act for private entity to be appointed as designated body to carry out surveillance/enforcement. However, ST welcomes TEEAM to provide information to the Commission on non-compliant products. ST has assigned SIRIM to collect products from the market to carry out tests to ensure products are compliant.
TEEAM also highlighted the issue of substandard wiring cables widely marketed and used, and products which carry fake SIRIM stickers. In response, ST requested TEEAM to notify the Commission if TEEAM should come across any non-compliant activities pertaining to electrical safety as ST is looking for new ways to improve their effectiveness. ST has approached MCMA to ensure their members produce compliant cables. TEEAM also appealed to ST to publicise the list of cases prosecuted so as to alert the public.
LED Products Added to the List of Controlled Items
TEEAM sought ST’s clarification on the LED products which were added to the lamp fittings category of the list of controlled items which take effect from 1st January 2013. TEEAM also requested for customs tariff codes for LED products in order for members to prepare well in advance for customs clearance and the tariff involved.
ST notified that the LED domestic lighting and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) are fitted with built-in self-ballast. Hence, to comply with the safety standards and performance requirements, ST is controlling such items.
With regards to the customs tariff code, TEEAM requested ST to provide the specific custom codes for the new products. Tariff code is provided by customs to classify commodities when they are being declared at the customs frontiers by exporters and importers. ST advised the manufacturers to apply for certificate of approval from ST soonest possible before the enforcement, as obtaining the test report and CB certificate from recognised testing bodies takes a very long time. TEEAM highlighted that these tests require 2000 – 6000 hrs. Hence, TEEAM appealed for grace period to enable members to prepare themselves.
ST’s Competency Exam and TEEAM as an Accredited Training Institution
ST no longer conducts competency exams for Wiremen and Chargemen AO & A1 effective from July 2012. Instead, candidates have to sit for the exam at ST’s accredited training institutions. In this case, TEEAM sought ST’s approval to designate TEEAM as an accredited training institution to conduct wiremen and chargemen competency exams.
TEEAM is able to conduct such exams because TEEAM has been running wiremen training courses since the 80s and also conducting CIDB building wiring installer course. TEEAM would like to take the initiative to create more wiremen and chargemen to meet the industry’s demand. However, ST informed that TEEAM has to collaborate with accredited government institution or government link institution to be recognised by ST as an accredited training and exam centre.
Conclusion
The discussion was fruitful and TEEAM thanked ST for the time and opportunity given to delve on issues of concern.
Meeting in progress – Issues of concern were highlighted to ST.
Representatives from TEEAM – (from left) Mr Yap Ching Kiat (Vice President), Ir Yong Ah Huat (Council Member), Mr David Chong (Vice President), Mr Ho Khai Hong (Honorary Secretary), Mr C T Siew (Council Member), Mr Tan Eng Liang (Council Member) and Ms Winnie Khong (Executive Secretary).
ST has on 14th December 2012 announced the deferral of enforcement for the new list of electrical equipment Lampiran A that requires certificate of approval from ST. The enforcement date is deferred from 1st January 2013 to 1st July 2013 for equipment to obtain approval, and market enforcement will begin on 1st January 2014.
The reason for the deferral is test report and CB certificate from recognised testing bodies requires test to be conducted for a duration of 3 – 6 months period. Members can obtain the ST’s notification and new list of equipment from the TEEAM Secretariat.
Meanwhile Certificate of Approval can be applied online. Visit www.st.gov.my→ePermit→subscription →register online to be a Dagang Net subscriber to access the ePermit system. You will receive your login ID upon successful registration within two working days. ePermit is provided by Dagang Net to facilitate online application & approval of permits.