Counterfeit engine oil in Malaysia has become increasingly difficult to detect, putting motorists at risk of expensive repairs and premature engine wear. A new SIRIM certification and smartphone verification system aims to give consumers greater confidence that the oil they’re buying is the genuine article.
Counterfeit engine oil has long been an expensive headache for motorists in Malaysia. While fake products were once relatively easy to identify through poor-quality packaging or suspiciously low prices, today’s counterfeiters have become far more sophisticated, producing convincing replicas that can be almost impossible to distinguish from the genuine product.
That presents a real risk for vehicle owners. Inferior engine oil may initially appear to perform normally, but over time it can lead to reduced engine performance, increased fuel consumption, accelerated wear, and, in severe cases, costly mechanical damage.
To help tackle the problem, SIRIM QAS International has introduced the SIRIM 58 Standard – Certification Scheme for Genuine Products (Engine Oil for Motor Vehicles). The initiative supports the government’s efforts to curb the sale of counterfeit lubricants while giving motorists a practical way to verify that the engine oil they’re buying is authentic. The scheme follows the introduction of the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Engine Oil for Motor Vehicle) Order 2024, under which SIRIM QAS was appointed the competent authority for certifying genuine engine oil products. The Order was gazetted in October 2024 and subsequently came into force after an industry transition period.
SIRIM, the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia, is the nation’s principal standards and conformity assessment body. Through testing, inspection, and certification, it helps ensure products meet recognized quality, safety, and performance standards while protecting consumers and supporting industry.
For motorists wishing to take advantage of the new standard for motor oil, the process is straightforward. Genuine certified products carry a SIRIM Conformity Label affixed to the top of the container cap. Using the free MySIRIM mobile app, available for iOS, Android, and Huawei devices, consumers can scan the label to confirm the product’s authenticity and compare the digital information with the packaging before making a purchase. The conformity label incorporates advanced digital security features designed to prevent duplication or cloning, making it far more difficult for counterfeit products to slip into the marketplace.
The benefits extend well beyond individual vehicle owners. Counterfeit engine oils undermine legitimate manufacturers, distributors, retailers, workshops, and fleet operators, eroding consumer confidence while creating an uneven playing field for reputable businesses. By introducing an independent certification scheme backed by digital verification, the initiative strengthens confidence throughout the automotive aftermarket.
The scheme should prove particularly valuable for online purchases, such as via e-commerce platforms such as Lazada and Shopee, where buyers often have little to no opportunity to inspect products before they arrive. Once delivered, motorists can simply scan the SIRIM Conformity Label using the MySIRIM app to confirm the engine oil is genuine before using it. While this cannot prevent counterfeit products from being listed for sale, it does provide consumers with a reliable way to verify authenticity before the oil ever reaches their engine.
SIRIM’s role goes beyond simply issuing certification labels. The organization also conducts technical assessments, verifies product traceability, and carries out ongoing monitoring and surveillance to ensure certified products continue to comply with the required standards. This independent oversight is intended to maintain the integrity of the certification scheme while providing motorists with greater peace of mind.
Of course, technology alone cannot eliminate counterfeit products. Consumer awareness remains an important part of the solution. Motorists are encouraged to purchase engine oil only from authorised dealers, reputable workshops, and trusted retailers, while taking a few extra seconds to check for the SIRIM Conformity Label and verify it using the MySIRIM app before completing their purchase.
The introduction of the SIRIM 58 Standard represents another important step in Malaysia’s wider efforts to combat counterfeit goods. While enforcement agencies continue targeting manufacturers and distributors of fake products, giving consumers a quick and reliable way to authenticate engine oil may prove just as valuable. After all, spending a few moments verifying a product could save motorists thousands of ringgit in avoidable repair bills down the road.
Sources: SIRIM QAS International; Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Engine Oil for Motor Vehicle) Order 2024; New Straits Times.
