KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) is set to develop new safety standards for baby products, Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh announced.
Fuziah explained that the ministry would begin by engaging relevant agencies to create these safety standards. Under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, Section 19 grants KPDN the authority to establish safety regulations for goods, services, and product categories.
“This allows us to set the necessary safety standards. With this authority, we will begin developing specific standards for baby products,” she said during the Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.
She added that KPDN would collaborate with agencies such as the Ministry of Health and the Chemistry Department to create these standards. Fuziah’s comments were in response to a question from Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi about hazardous chemicals in baby diapers and the ministry’s plans to tighten safety regulations for baby products.
Fuziah acknowledged that there are currently gaps and overlaps in existing standards for baby diapers. “The development of proper standards is essential. Malaysia has 15 agencies involved in standard-setting, including Sirim and the Medical Device Authority. Unfortunately, in the case of baby diapers, there are many overlaps and gaps in the existing standards,” she explained.
She also pointed out that Sirim had previously conducted studies on chemicals in consumer products, including testing sanitary towels and baby diapers. KPDN has already implemented safety standards for baby toys.
Regarding complaints, Fuziah noted that KPDN had received only four complaints about baby diapers since 2017. These complaints involved counterfeit and expired diapers, which had caused rashes. In response, the ministry took action against a company in Sungai Petani in 2017 for selling counterfeit diapers.
In response to Mumtaz’s supplementary question on promoting safe diaper usage, Fuziah confirmed that advocacy efforts are already underway. She also expressed openness to discussions on providing e-vouchers to help address hygiene poverty, as suggested by Mumtaz.
Finally, Fuziah recommended the use of safer, biodegradable diapers, particularly washable ones. “I encourage the use of washable diapers, which can help avoid harmful chemical exposure and are better for the environment. This could be an important part of our advocacy efforts,” she said.
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