Malaysia operates under a comprehensive framework of national tyre standards for both new and retreaded tyres, overseen by the Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM). These standards are designed to align closely with internationally recognised benchmarks, including those set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) under the E-Mark system.
Malaysia Enforcing Retreading Standards
For retreaded tyres, MS 224 is the local standard. It outlines the requirements for retreaded pneumatic tyres for commercial vehicles, trucks and buses. The standard is modelled on European regulations, in particular ECE R109, which applies to retreaded tyres for commercial vehicles. This alignment ensures that Malaysian retreaded tyres meet performance and safety expectations consistent with global norms. DSM certification is issued by SIRIM, a government-owned company that serves as DSM’s designated national standards development agency.
However, occasionally, people try to circumvent these standards. Recently, a local Malaysian company, Yik Woh Tyre Enterprise Sdn Bhd, was charged with using the SIRIM certification on tyres without approval. Two directors have been charged in court with using counterfeit SIRIM logo stickers on 107 retreaded tyres of various brands and sizes. The company pleaded not guilty.
According to the charges, the accused affixed SIRIM MS 224:2005 logo stickers to retreaded tyres for supply without obtaining approval from SIRIM. The alleged offences took place earlier this year at three premises located just outside Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, in an industrial park in Puchong.
The directors were charged under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011. If convicted, the offence carries a maximum fine of RM200,000 (about $47,000 USD) or up to three years’ imprisonment, or both. For subsequent offences, the penalty increases to a maximum fine of RM500,000 (around $118,000 USD) or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
The company was separately charged under Section 21(a) of the same Act, which provides for a maximum fine of RM500,000.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Hafizi Abdul Halim and prosecuting officer Nur Abyan Anuar of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry lead the prosecution, and the case is set to get to court on the 25th September.
Malaysia has exceptionally adequate standards, but it has often lacked the enforcement needed to stop bad actors abusing the system. It will be interesting to see if this is the start of a crackdown on the systematic abuse of tyre-safety laws. It is a particular problem in Malaysia and for retreaders, where in 2023, there were 6,443 road fatalities; an average of 18 deaths per day, and the Royal Malaysia Police said on December 24th 2024, that a total of 5,364 deaths were recorded in fatal accidents from January to October 2024. Although commercial vehicles represent a small proportion of these, the industry receives disproportionate attention, particularly in retreading, with a persistent lack of education on the benefits and, until now, inadequate enforcement against operators not adhering to the rules, which has tarnished the reputation of the rest of the industry. Hopefully, this is a sign of positive change ahead.
