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Malaysia's New MCMC Online Communications Equipment Guidelines: What Sellers Must Know

  • 3 days ago
  • 5 min read

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has officially published the Guidelines for Online Shopping Platform, Merchant and Consumer in Electronic Commerce for Communincations Equipment. Dated 31 July 2025 and listed on the MCMC website on 11 September 2025, the guidelines set out clear responsabilities for everyone involved in selling and buying communications equipment online in Malaysia.


The aim is straightforward: strengthen consumer protection , prevent the supply of non standard equipment, and build a more trustworthy online shopping environment. The rules clarify how the certification and labelling requirements of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998) and the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000 (TSR 2000) apply to e-commerce.


Understanding the MCMC Online Communications Equipment Guidelines


The guidelines apply to three groups of stakeholders, each with distinct obligations.


Online shopping platforms (the marketplaces and intermediaries) are responsible for ensuring merchants only list lawful, certified products. They must verify certification status with SIRIM before allowing local merchants to list communications equipment, flag overseas products as uncertified, monitor and remove non-compliant listings, and cooperate with MCMC on enforcement, including blocking equipment that is not meant for public use.


Online merchants are split into local and overseas sellers. Local merchants, treated as importers, must ensure products are certified, bear the MCMC label, and display clear proof of certification such as a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by SIRIM. Overseas merchants must transparently disclose that their equipment is not certified for use in Malaysia and guide buyers through the certification process.


Consumers are responsible for buying only certified equipment, verifying certification before purchase, and reporting non-certified products. Importantly, a consumer who buys directly from an overseas merchant is legally considered an importer and must obtain a Special Approval and Clearance Letter (SACL) from SIRIM


Why certification matters under TSR 2000


Under TSR 2000, all communications equipment must be certified to ensure safety, interoperability, and the prevention of radio frequency interference. Certified equipment must also carry the MCMC label, which can be a physical sticker, embossed or engraved mark, or a digital e-label stored within a device that has an integrated display. SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd. is the registered certifying agency for communications equipment in Malaysia. The penalties are significant. The use or sale of non-certified communications equipment, or equipment without an MCMC label, is an offence under TSR 2000. On conviction, this carries a fine of up to RM300,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both.


What Counts as Communications Equipment?


The scope is broad and covers three categories:


  • Network facilities: base stations, remote radio units (RRU), active antenna units (AAU), antennas, satellite gateways.

  • Customer equipment: mobile phones, telephone sets, personal computers (laptops, notebooks, tablets, desktops) and accessories such as wireless keyboards, mice and USB dongles, smart and digital TVs, wireless chargers, and wireless power transfer (WPT) devices.

  • Radiocommunications equipment: walkie-talkies, radio remote-controlled toys, and video game apparatus with a communications module.


A separate category of equipment is prohibited from public sale entirely, including signal jammers, Wi-Fi crackers, unauthorised satellite broadcast receivers (TVRO), SIM multiplexers ("SIM blasters"), and cellular signal boosters or repeaters. MCMC may update this list at any time.


What This Means for Manufacturers


For manufacturers and brand owners, the guidelines reinforce that certification is now firmly tied to the point of online sale, not just import or distribution.


  • Certification is a prerequisite to listing, not an afterthought. Platforms are now expected to verify a product's SIRIM certification status before approving a listing. A manufacturer whose products are not certified will find them blocked at the listing stage.

  • Compliance approval is restricted to local companies. Under SIRIM's certification programme, compliance approval is granted only to companies registered in Malaysia. Overseas manufacturers typically need a local entity or partner to hold certification if they want their products sold as certified equipment.

  • Documentation must be readily available. Manufacturers should ensure their authorised local merchants can produce the Certificate of Conformity and apply the correct MCMC label (physical or e-label) on the device, packaging, or warranty card.

  • Accurate product data is mandatory. Model numbers, brand names, and clear descriptions must be correct on every listing, both to support consumer decisions and to withstand MCMC verification.

  • Products not meant for public use will be removed. Manufacturers of boosters, repeaters, jammers, and similar equipment should be aware these cannot be sold to the public through online platforms in Malaysia.


In short, manufacturers who want frictionless access to Malaysian e-commerce channels should secure SIRIM certification through a local entity, maintain clean certification records, and ensure labelling is in place before products reach a marketplace.


Infographic titled “MCMC Online Communications Equipment Guidelines: Navigating Certification in E-Commerce,” showing a central MCMC logo over a map of Malaysia with arrows and certification icons. It explains rules for online platforms (verified listings with SIRIM, removing non-compliant products, enforcing MCMC blocks), merchants (local vs overseas sales, displaying CoC, ensuring MCMC labels, disclosing uncertified status), and consumers (verifying via CYL app/SIRIM QR or SIRIM online registry, SACIL for overseas checks, reporting non-certified items). The bottom section categorizes communications equipment into network facilities (base stations, antennas), customer equipment (mobile phones, laptops, wireless chargers, smart TVs), and radiocommunications equipment (walkie-talkies, RC toys). It also highlights prohibited equipment like signal jammers and unlicensed receivers, along with penalties (RM300,000 fine and up to 3 years imprisonment) and a timeline from 31 July 2025 to full enforcement on 11 September 2025.

Certification Impact Summary


Stakeholder

Key certification obligation

Consequence of non-compliance

Online shopping platform

Verify SIRIM certification before listing; remove non-compliant products; block prohibited equipment

Liability under TSR 2000 for facilitating sale of non-certified equipment

Local merchant (importer)

Ensure products are certified and MCMC-labelled; display CoC; provide accurate product details

Fine up to RM300,000 and/or up to 3 years' imprisonment

Overseas merchant

Disclose products are not certified for Malaysia; guide buyers to apply for SACL

Listings flagged or removed; buyers unable to legally import

Consumer

Buy only certified products; verify via CYL app or SIRIM eComM; obtain SACL if buying from overseas

Importing/using non-certified equipment is an offence


Timeline and Required Actions


Key dates


  • 31 July 2025 — Guidelines finalised and dated by MCMC.

  • 11 September 2025 — Guidelines published on the MCMC official guidelines page.

  • Effective now — The certification and labelling obligations stem from the CMA 1998 and TSR 2000, which are already in force. The guidelines clarify how existing law applies to online sales, so stakeholders should treat the requirements as current.


Action checklist by role


Online shopping platforms

  1. Update internal listing policies to require proof of SIRIM certification from local merchants.

  2. Implement systems to verify certification status with SIRIM before approving listings.

  3. Add clear notices on overseas-merchant listings explaining the SACL requirement.

  4. Set up monitoring to detect and promptly remove non-compliant or prohibited listings.


Local merchants

  1. Confirm every product is SIRIM-certified and carries the correct MCMC label.

  2. Upload or display the Certificate of Conformity in each product listing.

  3. Verify all product details (model, brand, description) are accurate.

  4. Be prepared to provide documentation to MCMC on request.


Overseas merchants

  1. State clearly in each listing that the product is not certified for use in Malaysia.

  2. Inform buyers they must obtain a SACL from SIRIM.

  3. Provide model number, brand, description, and a link to the product brochure or spec sheet.

  4. Offer clear guidance on the SACL application steps.


Consumers

  1. Check that the product is not on the prohibited list.

  2. Verify certification using the CYL app or SIRIM eComM site.

  3. For overseas purchases, apply for a SACL via SIRIM eComM (issued within 24 hours of payment) before or concurrently with purchase.

  4. On delivery, confirm the MCMC label is present on the device, packaging, or warranty card.



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