Call for action: Consumer groups push for mandatory certification of power banks
KUALA LUMPUR: Consumer groups have called on the government to make Sirim certification mandatory for power banks, warning that the continued sale of uncertified devices puts users at risk.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kader said many power banks being sold for between RM30 and RM60 did not bear any safety or certification marks.
"Uncertified power banks will continue to be sold as long as there is demand for cheap products," he told the New Sunday Times.
Mohideen added that many consumers were unaware of the importance of buying electrical appliances with safety certification, such as the Sirim label or other international standards.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer T. Saravanan said.
"The safety of consumers must come first, and it's high time the government made Sirim certification mandatory," he said.
He added that this should be followed by a crackdown on the sale of uncertified power banks.
Saravanan said that in 2017, the then domestic trade and cost of living minister announced plans to require Sirim certification for all power banks.
However, the plan was never realised.
"Without clear regulation and enforcement, unsafe products will keep reaching consumers.
"Many such incidents go unreported because consumers either don't know how to file a complaint or feel the damage is minor," he added.
Malaysia Consumers Movement (MCM) legal adviser Sukhdave Singh expressed similar concerns.
"It's disappointing that the government has not acted on this, more so when there is a pressing need.
"We call on the government to make power bank certification mandatory immediately.
"Right now, we can only advise people not to buy uncertified power banks, but for real change, regulation is needed to hold manufacturers, importers and sellers accountable," he said.
A quick check by the New Sunday Times found power banks being sold online for as low as RM16, raising doubts about the safety of such devices. Many of them did not have Sirim certification.
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