1/2007

Vol. 14 No. 1
ISSN : 1394-0198
KDN : PP. 10006/2/2008
 2
15

4
13
Contents
Theme Malaysian Rubber: Keeping Abreast with International
Development

Features 14 Updates on activities at regional level -

ACCSQ RBPWG & MDPWG

2 Industrial Standards Committee for Rubber and

Rubber Products
16
New Malaysian Standard: Specification of
medical gloves performance using glove
fatigue resistance test

4 Product Certification Scheme for New

Pneumatic and Re-Treaded Tyres For Land
Vehicle - SIRIM QAS International 17 SIRIM QAS International
Winner of QMEA Award 2006

6 Rubber Products Testing Malaysian Rubber Board

Announcement
7 Quality Seismic Rubber Bearings for the
Protection of Structures and their contents
18 Codes for Newly Established Industry
Standards Committee

News 19 Malaysia taking over Chairmanship of ISO/TC

157 - Mechanical Contraceptives

12 Proposed New Mandatory Requirements on

Pneumatic Tyres

Disclaimer The Standards and Quality News is an official publication of SIRIM Berhad. The newsletter is published on a quarterly basis and
is distributed to our clients, certified companies and Standards Development Committee members. Editorial material may be
freely reproduced, provided credit is given to the newsletter. Please note that except for the advertisement by the subsidiaries
and affiliate companies of SIRIM Berhad, SIRIM Berhad does not in any way either directly or indirectly endorse any
advertisements by other companies printed herein and hereby denies any liability in relation to the accuracy of the same.
Highlight STANDARDS
& QUALITY NEWS
Vol.14 No.1/2007

The rubber industry is synonymous with Malaysia ever since the germination of rubber PUBLICATION COMMITTEE
seedlings in the country in the late 19th century. We have witnessed how Malaysia had grown
Chairman
from scratch to the largest natural rubber producer in the world, and now although other
Pn. Robiah Ibrahim
commodities have taken its place as the major contributor to the country's economy, Malaysia
remains the world's leading producer and exporter of rubber products such as natural rubber Members
medical gloves, catheters and latex thread. The rapid growth of the industry has enabled Pn. Khalidah Mustafa
Malaysia to become the world's largest consumer of natural rubber latex.
En. Parama Iswara
Tn. Hj. Mohamad Nasir Abdul Wahid
It is with the above considerations and in view of current concerns of the rubber industry that
En. Md. Nor Md. Chik
this issue of the Standards and Quality News is focused on this sector. To ensure that the
Tn. Hj Mohamad Nawawi Hussin
rubber industry remains competitive and efficient, and to demonstrate its continuing ability to
Dr. Mohd Azman Idris
accommodate the many changes in the economic world, particularly where technical trade
Pn. Zurina Mohd Bistari
barriers are concerned, the industry has no option but to adopt the right approach where
standards and quality are concerned.
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Malaysia through the Department of Standards Malaysia has taken the challenge by being Dato’ Mariani Mohamed
actively involved in international, regional and national standardization activities particularly in
Pn. Khalidah Hj. Mustafa
rubber related committees. We are the Secretariat to ISO/TC 45 on Rubber and Rubber
En. Parama Iswara
Products and two of its subcommittees, as well as ISO/TC 157 on Mechanical Contraceptives
Pn. Zurina Mohd Bistari
which also deliberates standards for rubber-based contraceptives.
Pn. Saleha A. Jalil
Pn. Hammidah Yahya
In this issue of Standards and Quality News, we are featuring informative articles on Malaysia's
Dr. Margaret Chai
involvement in standardisation and quality activities pertaining to rubber and rubber products,
En. Abdul Rashid Zainal Abidin
the testing facilities available in the country, and a new concern to the nation - standards for
earthquake rubber bearing for use in the construction industry, following the recent impacts of Cik Lili Masni Ab. Jalil

earthquakes from other parts of the region and to our country. Also included is a feature on the
current notification of the tyre regulations to the WTO TBT member signatories.
PUBLICATION COORDINATOR
It is hoped that the articles will give diversified perspectives to the key players of the rubber Pn. Zurina Mohd Bistari
industry. Tel: 603-5544 6352
E-mail: zurina@sirim.my

Copies of the newsletter

are available on request from:
Masrina Mansor
SIRIM Berhad
No.1, Persiaran Dato’ Menteri,
Section 2, P.O. Box 7035,
40911 Shah Alam,
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: 603-5544 6352
Fax: 603-5544 6334

Design: Reign Associates Sdn. Bhd.

Printer: SIRIM Berhad
Feature
Industry Standards
Committee
for Rubber and Rubber Products - ISC N
by Khatijah Hashim
Secretary ISC N, SIRIM Berhad

THE Industry Standards Committee for

Rubber and Rubber Products (ISC N)
was formed in June 2000 comprising
representatives from various relevant
organisations and associations such as
the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB),
Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufactures’
Association (MARGMA), Malaysian Rubber
Export Promotion Council (MREPC),
Malaysian Rubber Product Manufactures’
Association (MRPMA), Malaysian Automotive
Tyre Manufactures Industry Group (MATMIG),
Department of Standards Malaysia
(Standards Malaysia), SIRIM Berhad (as
Secretariat), some rubber industries and
local universities. ISC N is responsible within
the scope of rubber and rubber products, in
developing Malaysian Standards, identifying
In the international arena, ISC N works ISO Standards and ensures that the
and recommending priorities of national
closely and synonymously with the interests of the Malaysian rubber industries
standardisation work and overseeing and
Technical Committee (TC) on Rubber and are well represented.
coordinating Malaysian participation in
Rubber Products (formerly called the Like other ISCs, ISC N operates mostly
regional and international standardisation.
Jawatankuasa Kebangsaan ISO/TC 45), on a volunteer basis for the betterment of the
At the national level, one of the main
also managed by SIRIM Berhad. The TC Malaysian rubber industries. Comments,
tasks of ISC N is to deliberate on and
which is the national mirror committee of the suggestion, and enquiry from the public are
approve draft Malaysian Standards,
ISO/TC 45 on Rubber and Rubber Products most welcomed.
prepared by the appointed Standard-
(the structure as attached), deliberates on
Writing Organisations (SWOs), i.e. MRB
ISO/TC 45 documents for voting and/or
within the scope of rubber and rubber
comment to fulfill the Malaysian obligation
products. Upon acceptance, the final Standards Management Department
as a Participating member (P-member) to
draft standards are then processed by SIRIM Berhad
ISO/TC 45. Representatives of both ISC N
SIRIM Berhad and submitted to the P O Box 7035
and the national mirror committee also
Ministry of Science, Technology and 40911 Shah Alam
participate actively as Malaysian delegates
Innovations via Standards Malaysia for Selangor, Malaysia
in annual ISO/TC 45 Meetings, the next one
final approval as Malaysian Standards. To Tel: 603 5544 6902
to be held in October 2007 in Nairobi,
date, over 150 Malaysian Standards Fax: 603 5544 6920
Kenya. The participation oversees the need
pertaining to rubber and rubber products Email: khatijah_hashim@sirim.my
for Malaysian Standards to be in line with
have been published.

2 Standards and Quality News

Structure of Structure of
ISC N ISO/TC 45
ISC N
on Rubber and
Rubber and Rubber Products
Rubber Products
Chairman: Dr Yusof Aziz ISO/TC 45 Rubber and
Secretary: Ms Khatijah Hashim Rubber products
WG 10 Terminology
WG 16 Environmental aspects
TC on Rubber and
SC 1 Hoses (Rubber and plastics)
Rubber Products
WG 1 Industrial, chemical and oil hoses
Chairman: Dr Alias Othman
WG 2 Automotive hoses
Secretary: Ms Masrina Mansor
WG 3 Hydraulic hoses
WG 4 Hose test methods

Malaysian Rubber Board SC 2 Testing and analyses

(SWO) WG 1 Physical properties
• TC on Tubing & Hoses WG 2 Visco-elastic properties
• TC on Physical Test WG 3 Degradation tests
• TC on Chemical Test WG 4 Application of statistic methods
• TC on Raw Material WG 5 Chemical tests
• TC on Latex Products WG 6 ITP for rubber test methods
• TC on Medical Devices
• TC on Dry Rubber Products SC 3 Raw materials
• TC on Tyre & Tyre Products (including latex) for use in
• WG on General Rubber Goods the rubber industry
• WG on Engineering Rubber
WG 1 General methods for sampling,
Goods
mixing and vulcanization
WG 2 Latex
WG 3 Carbon black
WG 4 Natural rubber
WG 5 Synthetic rubber

SC 4 (Products other than hoses)

WG 1Rubber threads
WG 2Sealing rings for pipes
WG 3Rubber covered rollers
WG 4Rubber roof covering
ISC: Industry Standards Committee WG 5Gloves for medical application
WG 7Material specification
TC: Technical Committee
WG 8Flexible and semi-rigid cellular
SC: Sub-Committee material
WG: Working Group WG 9 Elastomeric isolators
WG 13 Coated fabrics

Standards and Quality News 3

Feature
Product Certification
Scheme for New Pneumatic
and Re-Treaded Tyres
for Land Vehicle
by Mohd Hamim lmam Mustain
Senior Executive, SIRIM QAS International
E-mail: m.hamim_imam.mustain@sirim.my

Importance of Tyres
Many will agree that tyres are very important
components for land vehicles and some might
even say it is not possible to ride the vehicle
without tyres being fitted to their wheels. Yes it
is true, tyres are invented to provide comfort
and safety to the user. Terminology such as
grips, traction, comfort profile and noise travel
are the common characteristics for tyres and
today the characteristics have been extended
to aesthetic as well. However there is a
question mark - How would the user know
whether such important components which
provide safety and comfort while they are
behind the steering, had been sufficiently
evaluated before they purchased it? And who
carries out the evaluation?
Quality of Tyres
Manufacturers, importers and traders of
various models of tyres are claiming the best
on their product performance as an attempt for
a bigger market share, but how much
information is given to the users regarding the
endorsement or certification of their product
range? Users are overwhelmed by convincing
commercial advertisements and often prejudge
the quality of tyres by the presence of the
commercial mark (i.e. the brand) on the tyres,
instead of the presence of certification mark or are the users who generally have no opportunity
any mark of quality. Users in our country are not to perform proper assessment by themselves.
excluded from this practice.
No doubt some manufacturers of tyres How this system works?
do have the resources to carry out in-house
In Malaysia, SIRIM QAS International is the
evaluation, but it is more of an indication
largest provider of third party product
that their production is under control.
certification services. The certification scheme
Independent certification of products
is operated to the international practice of ISO
by third party certification bodies is the most
/ IEC Guide 65. It is based on Type 5 system
common quality assurance system used
covering type testing of the tyres against
worldwide to ensure the conformance of the
specified standards, factory evaluation, grant
tyres to specified standards or requirements.
of certificate or license, and continuous
Third party certification provides un-bias,
monitoring through surveillance activities.
impartial, non-discriminatory and integrity
These follow-up activities include annual
evaluation on the product, and the beneficiary

4 Standards and Quality News

factory audit, retesting the product picked-up
Certification Process
from the factory and also from the open market.
The Malaysian Standard MS 149 and
MS 1394 are the standards for new pneumatic
tyres for passenger cars and highway vehicles
other than passenger cars respectively. In Enquiry
principle the standards require the products
to be assessed on the performances
therefore the criteria such as high speed
and endurance tests are paramount in the
whole assessment exercise. Tyre which fails
to comply with the performance or other
Application
requirements of the standard will not be
considered for award of certificate.
While the standards for new pneumatic
tyres emphasize on their performance, the
standard for retread tyres, i.e. “MS 224 - Product Evaluation
Specification for re-treaded pneumatic
rubber tyres for passenger car and
commercial vehicles” on the other hand,
covers the entire process of manufacturing
including performance test.
To maintain the integrity of the Product
Factory Audit
Certification Scheme, SIRIM QAS International Sampling & Testing
ensures that all the stages in the certification
process are credible, especially the conduct
of testing. Towards this end, only test reports
from laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC
17205 are accepted. The tyre testing
laboratory of the Malaysian Rubber Board is
Report Preparation
currently on the list of accredited laboratories.

The importance of
certification mark Approval Process
Upon award of the certification, the mark of
quality (i.e. the MS mark) shall be permanently
and clearly displayed on the tyres. The
certification mark provides easily identifiable
means for the users to differentiate certified Surveillance
tyres from non-certified tyres.

Annual Renewal

Standards and Quality News 5

Feature
Rubber Products Testing
Malaysian Rubber Board
by Alias Othman, PhD
Technology and Engineering Division
Malaysian Rubber Board
E-mail: alias@lgm.gov.my

T he Malaysian Rubber Board has two
laboratories dedicated to testing of rubber &
rubber products - the Physical Testing
Laboratory and the Tyre Testing Laboratory.
These laboratories are accredited to the
quality management system ISO/IEC/17025
under the 'Skim Akreditasi Makmal Malaysia
(SAMM)'. The accredited status had
convinced many International bodies, such
as the Australian Therapeutic Goods Order
and World Health Organization, to appoint international interlaboratory proficiency
the Physical Testing Laboratory as their third testing. It also organizes cross-checks for
party independent laboratory in Malaysia. Malaysian testing laboratories.
To maintain a high standard of Staff of the laboratories keeps au fait
laboratory performance and integrity at all with developments in the field of calibration
times, all testing equipment are subjected and physical testing of rubber and rubber
to stringent calibration, and the products by actively participating in the
calibrations are traceable to SI Units of deliberations of the International
measurement. To maintain the integrity of Organization for Standardization (ISO).
its results, the PTL participates in

The Physical Testing Laboratory

The Physical Testing Laboratory (PTL) is the most comprehensively equipped laboratory in this part of the world for testing rubber and
rubber products. It was also the first laboratory within the government service to be accredited with the quality management system
ISO/IEC/17025 for testing and calibration under the 'Skim Akreditasi Makmal Malaysia (SAMM)'.
The laboratory can undertake tests to Malaysian Standards and all other major standards such as British Standards (BS), American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), etc. Tests to other national standards may also be
accommodated. The laboratory also undertakes performance tests on complete products or components, and if necessary, such
performance tests may be designed to suit individual needs. The PTL is constantly involved in upgrading of its test equipment.

The Tyre Testing Laboratory

Tyres and tyre related products account for about 65% of natural rubber usage worldwide and is the second largest rubber product sector
in Malaysia. Requirements for tyres have also become more stringent as a result of improvements in automobile performance, highway
standards and increasing requirements in safety, comfort and economy. Vehicle manufactures also require that the tyres meet certain
specifications. Importing countries often require tyres to be tested and certified by independent parties.

The RRIM Calibration Laboratory

The Malaysian Rubber Board also has a calibration laboratory for mechanical testing equipments, with special emphasis on rubber and
rubber product testing equipment, including on-site calibration. The calibration activities started in 1997, expanded and was
subsequently accredited to ISO/IEC Guide 17025 in early 2004.
The RRIM calibration is the only calibration laboratory in Malaysia which is accredited for force measurement to a maximum range
of 5000 kN and for the measurement of the ozone gas concentration.

6 Standards and Quality News

 Feature
Quality Seismic
Rubber Bearings
for the Protection of Structures and their Contents
by Kamarudin Ab-Malek
Rubber Technology Centre, Malaysian Rubber Board
E-mail: kamarudin@lgm.gov.my

Introduction amplitude and frequency of deformation upon many of the applications relate to the
the stiffness and damping are discussed. retrofitting of historic public buildings of which
The use of seismic rubber bearings or Evidence for the long term stability of the the San Francisco and Los Angeles City Halls
commonly known as base isolation is being properties of the bearings is given. are notable examples. Although in the USA
increasingly employed as a means of Over the past twenty years, novel and New Zealand most of the applications to
protecting structures from earthquake techniques such as base (or seismic) isolation new buildings have been to critically important
damage. The worldwide application of the and energy dissipation for improving the facilities such as hospitals, emergency centres
technology has been stimulated by the seismic resistance of structures have been and museums, the technology is equally
performance of isolated buildings in introduced. Base isolation has now become applicable to apartment blocks. Indeed, the
earthquakes such as Northridge, California an established and accepted technology in majority of recent projects in Japan are for
and Kobe, Japan and the introduction of countries such as Japan where over 1300 residential buildings. This is also true in China
Codes for constructing base isolated buildings buildings have been isolated and the number where more than 800 residential buildings (8 to
in Japan, China, Italy and other countries. is increasing at a rate of about 100 per year. 15 storey high) have been installed with rubber
Base isolation offers important The technique is applicable to bridges and bearings. In Malaysia, the first base-isolated
advantages over conventional protection industrial structures, such as LNG tanks, in project is a 3-storey office building completed
methods because it reduces the earthquake addition to buildings. It is suitable for in 2002 located in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
forces transmitted into a structure. Thus it upgrading existing buildings, and in California Currently the Malaysian Rubber Board is
protects not only the structure itself but also
the contents and secondary structural
Fixed base
features. Such a capability is particularly Isolated
important for buildings such as hospitals and
emergency facilities that need to maintain full
serviceability after an earthquake.
This article gives examples of the
application of base isolation in various
countries, and details of how isolated
buildings have performed during earthquakes.
The principles of base isolation are outlined.
Isolators need to have adequate vertical load
bearing capacity, low horizontal stiffness,
large horizontal displacement capability and a
moderate level of damping. High damping
rubber bearings provide a simple, economic
and maintenance-free means of providing the
Flexible bridge
desired characteristics. The influence of such
factors as temperature, horizontal deformation, Figure 1: Matsumura buildings, Japan

Standards and Quality News 7


Figure 2a: Accelerations recorded in base-isolated Matsumura building during 1995
Kobe earthquake
involved in the world largest single base-
isolated project in Iran to construct about 500
blocks of 5 to 12-storey residential buildings.
Base isolation offers important technical
advantages over the conventional earthquake
engineering technique of making the building
stronger, because it reduces the earthquake
forces transmitted into the structure. It
therefore not only protects the structure itself
but also the contents and secondary
structural elements, such as cladding. Thus
the risk of injury to the occupants and
passers-by is much reduced. The capability
to protect the contents is a major advantage
for buildings such as hospitals and
emergency centres where maintenance of
function during and after the earthquake is
necessary, and in cases such as museums
and advanced technology factories where
the value of the contents is high.
Figure 2b: Acceleration recorded on roof of fixed-base Matsumura building during
1995 Kobe earthquake
8 Standards and Quality News
The introduction of guidelines, codes
and straightforward procedures for approval
of base-isolated structures has increased the
exploitation of this technology. Codes have
been introduced in USA, Japan, China, Italy
and Armenia. A revised version of Eurocode
8, Part 1 will include a new chapter on
seismic isolation (1). Eurocode 8 - Part 2:
Bridges has included a chapter on seismic
isolation for some years (2). Though the
introduction of a Code has generally assisted
the uptake of the technology, the conservative
approach to base isolation adopted in the
latest version of the Uniform Building Code
has limited its adoption in USA(3,4).
The performance of base isolated
buildings during earthquakes has
demonstrated the effectiveness of the
technology. A 3-storey laboratory building
north of Kobe was shaken by the
earthquake of January 1995. The base-
isolated building and an adjacent fixed-base
3-storey building (Figure 1) were instrumented.
The records obtained are shown in figures
2a and figure 2b. The peak acceleration in
the isolated building even at the roof is lower
than that at the foundation. The peak
acceleration at the roof level of the adjacent
conventional building is about five times
higher than the corresponding figure for the
isolated building.
In seismic isolation part or all of the
superstructure is separated from the lower
part of the structure by an interface that is
soft and flexible in the horizontal direction.
Generally, the interface is placed between
the foundation or basement and the ground
floor and so the term base isolation can be
accurately applied.
With very few exceptions, the isolation
system operates only for horizontal
earthquake excitations. These are much
more damaging as structures are stronger
with respect to vertical loads. To protect
against vertical seismic inputs introduces
problems due to rocking of the structure on
the isolation system, which is in this case
has to be soft also in the vertical direction.
High Damping
Elastomeric Isolators
Base isolation of a structure requires an
interface with the following characteristics
between the foundation and the
superstructure.
• low horizontal stiffness at design
displacement
• high vertical stiffness
• capability to support gravity load of
structure over long term
• capacity to accommodate large horizontal
displacement during earthquake and at
same time support vertical load including
seismic loads
• moderate level of damping (10-15% for
buildings)
• capability to re-centre structure after
earthquake
• stable stiffness and damping properties
over long term
• high initial horizontal stiffness to provide
wind restraint
• ability to function again after the design
earthquake
High damping rubber bearings (HDRB) are a
simple, economic and maintenance-free
means of providing the isolation interface.
They can be designed to withstand the
design earthquake without significant
damage. This type of isolator was first
developed at the Malaysian Rubber Board
laboratory. Its performance was evaluated in
shaking-table tests carried out at the
Earthquake Engineering Research Center,
California (5). The R&D resulted in application
of the technique to the seismic protection of
the San Bernardino County Law and Justice
Centre, California (figure 3) erected in 1984
and the first such project in the world.
The HRDB consists of alternate layers
of rubber and steel plates (Figure 4). The
steel plates can greatly increase the vertical
stiffness of the bearing; a ratio of around
500:1 between vertical and horizontal
stiffness is typical. The plates enable the
Figure 4: Section through HDRB (diameter 330mm) used to isolate four storey
apartment block in Indonesia
bearing to support the vertical load even
under a large shear displacement; in figure 5
the bearing is supporting the design vertical
load even with a shear deformation sufficient
to produce no overlap between the top and
Figure 3: San Bernardino County Law and Justice Centre. Right: Isolators installed
on foundations
bottom bearing endplates. A strong bond
between the rubber and steel is critically
important to the correct functioning of the
bearing. The rubber (usually a compound
based on natural rubber) is specially
formulated to give the damping required.
The use of high damping rubber avoids the
need for auxiliary dampers such as viscous
or elasto-plastic steel dampers in the
isolation system. In circumstances where are
high level of damping is required (for
instance for a bridge where allowable
displacements are small) lead plugs may be
inserted to form what is known as a lead
rubber bearing (LRB); the yielding of the lead
during horizontal deformation of the bearing
raises the energy lost.
Principles of Base
Isolation
Isolation is achieved by mounting the
structure on a system of supports giving a
low stiffness in the horizontal direction. The
natural period of the structure on the
isolation system is typically two seconds.
This period is chosen to be long compared
with both the dominant period of the
earthquake ground shaking and the period
of the superstructure in the fixed-base
conditions. Figure 6 shows that the period
lengthening achieved greatly reduces the
acceleration response compared with that of
a typical conventional structure. It also
shows that the response is reduced further
by adding damping to the isolation system.
The damping acts to reduce both any
response to input excitations at the isolation
period, and the amplitude of the horizontal
movement of the structure. It is important to
realise that despite the need for some
damping, the isolators are not principally
acting to absorb the energy of the
earthquake, but are providing an interface
that reflects earthquake energy back into
the ground so reducing its transmission into
the structure.
The effect of the isolation system is that
during an earthquake the structure moves
virtually as a rigid body on the isolators. The
deformation is concentrated at the isolation
interface, but unlike the structure the
isolation system can accommodate large
deformations without significant damage.
Because the technique is one of isolation
it should be noted that high levels of damping
(≥15%) are not beneficial for structures (eg
multi-storey buildings) for which higher level
oscillation modes may be excited (6).
Standards and Quality News 9
 Applications for bridges - the physical properties of the materials
Specifications used in isolators.
- ISO 22762-3:2005, Elastomeric Parts 2 and 3 respectively deal with the
seismic-protection isolators -- Part 3: requirements for elastomeric seismic
Applications for buildings - isolators used for bridges and buildings and
Specifications the requirements for the rubber material
used in the manufacture of such isolators.
ISO 22762 applies to elastomeric seismic The specification covers requirements,
isolators used to provide buildings or design rules, manufacturing tolerances,
bridges with protection from earthquake marking and labelling and test methods for
damage. The isolators covered consist of elastomeric isolators.
Figure 5: Scaled HDRB under test
alternate elastomer layers and reinforcing Apart from ISO 22762, another
steel plates. They are placed between a standard is the prEN 15129, Anti-seismic
superstructure and its substructure to devices. Chapter 8: Elastomeric isolators,
provide both flexibility for decoupling published by the European Committee for
Testing and Standards structural systems from ground motion, Standardisation (CEN).

In order to check the properties of the and damping capability to reduce The Guide Specifications for Seismic

bearing and the rubber, type testing is carried displacement at the isolation interface and Isolation Design (American Association of

out. The most important bearing tests check:
• horizontal stiffness and damping of isolator
• horizontal displacement capacity
• vertical load bearing capacity and
vertical stiffness
• influence of temperature on properties
To ensure the quality of the production
bearings, acceptance testing is normally
carried out. The usual tests are for:
the transmission of energy from the ground
into the structure at the isolation frequency.
Part 1 of the standard specifies the
test methods for determination of the
characteristics of elastomeric seismic
isolators and for measurement of the
properties of the rubber material used in their
manufacture. The specifications cover testing
for all properties required in the elastomeric
isolators, such as compression and shear
properties, the durability of the isolators and
State Highway and Transportation Officials
[AASHTO] contains provisions for tests (of
any type of isolator) and requirements for
elastomeric isolators.
Codes for Design and
Response Analysis
Several codes and guidelines exist for the
construction of base isolated buildings.

• vertical stiffness Acceleration (g)

• horizontal stiffness and damping
0.8 Conventional buildings

The test may be carried out on an agreed

sample of the bearings, though some projects
0.6 0.5% damping
specify every production bearing is tested.
1.0%
The normal tolerance allowed in the
bearing horizontal stiffness is ±20%; a 2.0%
0.4
tighter tolerance (±10%) may be imposed on
5.0% Buildings on springs
the global isolation system stiffness.
10.0%
There are ISO standards on elastomeric 0.2
isolators as follows:

• ISO 22762 series:

0
- ISO 22762- 1:2005, Elastomeric 0 1 2
seismic-protection isolators -- Part 1: Period (seconds)
Test methods
Figure 6: Acceleration response spectra for single degree of freedom structures.
- ISO 22762-2:2005, Elastomeric Spectra are plotted for various levels of damping. The typical natural
period ranges of fixed-base medium-rise buildings and of a building on
seismic-protection isolators -- Part 2:
isolators are indicated.

10 Standards and Quality News

Codes in USA, Italy and China are discussed The use of isolation can save costs in the
References
and compared by Mezzi et al (7). The different superstructure compared with a fixed-
1. CEN Eurocode 8, Design of
design philosophies in the Codes have a base building.
structures for earthquake resistance
significant influence on the design of the The amount saved depends on the
– Part 1: General rules, seismic
structure and the requirements for the building height and the Code used; it is
actions and rules for buildings,
isolation system. For instance, the Italian Code possible for the superstructure savings to
EN1998-1,2005
(8) and Eurocode 8 (1) require the isolated more than cover the additional cost items.
superstructure to behave elastically during the The diaphragm above the isolators will not 2. CEN Eurocode 8 – Part 2: Bridges,
design earthquake. Other codes may allow be an additional cost for buildings with a EN1998-2, 2005
yielding. The isolation system is generally basement already included. The isolators
3. Uniform Building Code Vol 2,
required to withstand the design earthquake and flexible service connections are additional
International Conference of Building
without significant damage. The different costs, though for the latter it is small. With
Officials, Whittier, CA, 1997 4.
national codes and design philosophies make the last, isolation can produce substantial
Naaseh S, Morgan T, and Walters
it difficult to assess the cost of base isolation in savings in the case of museums, hospitals
M. A critical evaluation of current US
comparison with conventional technologies and advanced manufacturing facilities.
building code provisions for the
unless a particular structure designed using The experience in China is that, even for
design of seismic isolated
particular codes is considered. ordinary buildings such as apartment
structures. Proceedings of 7th
blocks, base isolation can give savings in
International Seminar on Seismic
construction costs of 1 to 20 %. The savings
Isolation, Passive Energy Dissipation
Technical and Economic are greater for taller buildings and for zones
and Active Control of Vibrationsof
Benefits of Isolation of higher seismicity. Initial experience with
Structures, Assisi, Italy. GLIS 2001
the new Italian Code indicates that
There are clear technical benefits associated 5. Derham C, Eidinger J, Kelly J and
significant savings in construction costs are
with the use of base isolation because it Thomas A. Natural rubber foundation
possible even for apartment blocks. When
reduces the forces and accelerations bearings for earthquake protection -
lifetime costs of the building are also
transmitted into a structure. Thus: experimental results. Rubb. Chem
considered, base isolation becomes even
more attractive economically; benefits are Technol. 53, 186
• contents and occupants are protected
possible regarding: 6. Ahmadi H, Fuller K and Muhr A.
• reduced damage to secondary structural
Current research at MRPRA related to
features
• insurance seismic isolation of buildings.
• function maintained-important for hospitals
• post-earthquake costs Proceedings of the international post-
and emergency centres
• repairs SMIRT Conference Seminar on
• loss of use Isolation, Energy Dissipation and
Isolation offers the possibility of strengthening
• cost of injuries Control of Vibrations of Structures,
an existing historic building with a minimum of
• reduced social and economic Capri, Italy. GLIS 1993
intervention to the superstructure.
dislocation
In evaluating the cost of incorporating 7. Mezzi M, Dusi A and Fuller K.
isolation into a new building, an owner Comparison Of International Codes
w i l l often only consider the costs of On Seismic Isolation. Proceedings of
Conclusions
construction and fitting-out. The factors to Séminaire 50eme anniversaire du
consider are: Base isolation with high damping rubber séisme du 9/9/54 et 25eme
bearings offers a simple, reliable and anniversaire du séisme d'El asnam,
• superstructure maintenance-free means of providing Chlef, Algerie, 2005
• isolators and connections to foundation seismic protection to structures and their
8. D.M. 16/1/96 (1996), Norme
and superstructure contents. The potentially higher level of
tecniche per le costruzioni nelle zone
• rigid diaphragm/frame above isolators protection compared with conventional
sismiche. Gazzetta Ufficiale n.105
• flexible service connections techniques can be achieved with the
8/5/2003, Rome, Italy.
• protection of internal equipment/artifacts additional benefit of cost savings.

Standards and Quality News 11

News
Proposed New
Mandatory Requirements
on Pneumatic Tyres
'Pneumatic tyre' is the term used for a tyre
made of reinforced rubber and filled with
compressed air; used on motor vehicles,
bicycles, etc. Tyre is considered one of
the most important components of a
vehicle as they are the vehicle's only point
of contact with the road. Good and
quality tyres are extremely vital for to the
safe use of vehicle as they affect the
effectiveness of the steering, braking and
acceleration of the machines. The
performance of tyres is largely affected by
its conditions such as its pressure, the
depth of their treads and other properties.
The tyres treads for example are designed
to pump water from the road surface and
provide grip on the road. The deeper the
12 Standards and Quality News
tread of the tyre the more grip it provides. In
view of the effect of its characteristics to the
performance of the tyres, it is important that
certain specifications or requirements be
imposed on the product to provide safe
operational performance level for the safety
of the driver and other road users.
In response to calls from the public
and industries for the control of the use of
motor vehicle tyres to ensure road safety,
the Ministry of Transport is proposing to
introduce new mandatory requirements on
motor vehicle tyres. The Ministry of
Transport is amending rules 30 and 46 of
the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use)
Rules 1959 to include requirements for tyres
to comply with relevant specifications.
SIRIM Berhad in its capacity as
the Malaysian WTO/TBT Enquiry and
Notification Point on 5 February 2007 has
issued a 60-day notification on the
amendment of Malaysia's tyre regulations;
an inclusion of specifications for new and
retreaded pneumatic tyres.
There are three Malaysian Standards
and equivalent UN ECE Regulations to be
quoted in the amended Road Transport Act
1987, Motor Vehicles (Construction and
Use) as follows:
(a) MS 1394 Specification for New
Pneumatic Tyres for Highway Vehicles
other than passenger cars or UN ECE
Regulation 54 for Pneumatic Tyres
(Commercial Vehicle) and UN ECE
Regulation 75 for Pneumatic Tyres
(Moped and motorcycle) or Federal
Motor Vehicles Safety Specifications
(FMVSS) Standard No. 119 New
Pneumatic Tyres for Highway Vehicles
other than Passenger Cars;
(b) MS 149 Specification for New
Pneumatic Passenger Car Tyres or UN
ECE Regulation 30 for Pneumatic Tyres
(Passenger Vehicles) or Federal Motor
Vehicles Specifications (FMVSS)
Standard No. 109 New Pneumatic
Tyres for Passenger Cars; or
(c) MS 224 Retreaded Pneumatic
Rubber Tyres for Passenger Car and
Commercial Vehicle - Specification or
UN ECE Regulation 108 for Retreaded
Pneumatic Tyres (Motor Vehicle) and
UN ECE Regulation 109 for Retreaded
Pneumatic Tyres (Commercial Vehicle).”
MS 1394 establishes the performance and
marking requirements for new pneumatic
tyres designed for highway use on
multipurpose passenger vehicles, light
trucks and trucks, buses, trailers and
motorcycles but excludes those for racing
and aviation. The purpose of the standard is
to provide safe operational performance
levels for tyres used on motor vehicles other
than passenger cars and to place sufficient
information on the tyres to permit their
proper selection and use.
MS 149 specifies definitions,
designations testing and minimum safety
requirements for new pneumatic rubber
tyres for use on passenger cars.
MS 224 specifies the requirements for
retreading of pneumatic highway tyres
including passenger car tyres and tyres for
multi-purpose passenger vehicles, trucks,
buses, trailers and other commercial
vehicles used on the public road. The
standard does not cover off-the-road
vehicles. The standard also covers
definitions of terms used in the retreading
industry, initial inspection criteria for
rejection of casings, acceptance criteria for
repair of tyres for retreading, in-process
retreading guidelines, inspection of the
finished tyres, quality control testing
requirements as well as a statement of
warranty that the finished tyres conform to
the standard and will give satisfactory
service under normal operating conditions.
With the implementation of this
requirement, Malaysia is joining the ranks of
other countries such as Australia, New
Zealand, Indonesia and the European Union
in placing mandatory requirements on tyres.
It is anticipated that the new requirements
will not only provide safe operational
performance levels for tyres used on motor
vehicles but will also provide sufficient
information to consumers on the proper
selection and use of the right tyres for
certain types of vehicles.
Malaysian WTO/TBT
Enquiry and
Notification Point
Malaysia is a signatory to the WTO • assistance in answering domestic
Agreement on Technical Barriers to enquiries on any existing or proposed
Trade (TBT). To be an effective member of standards, regulations and conformity
the WTO, Malaysia has set up the assessment systems affecting the
National TBT Sub-committee on the TBT trade of other WTO member countries
Agreement that examines the effective and
implementation of Malaysia's rights and • assistance in the preparation and
obligations under the Agreement and co- submission of notification on
ordinates implementation issues related to Malaysia's proposed technical
the TBT with other agencies responsible regulations to WTO in accordance
for the Agreement. The committee also with TBT agreement obligations.
monitors the operation and administration
of the TBT Agreement with regard to the Programmes are also arranged for
duties of the enquiry point and act on regulatory agencies to enhance their
issues or standards of export and awareness on notification obligations.
domestic markets that are barriers to These may include sending reminders
trade. The main objective of the and organising meetings or discussions
establishment of the enquiry point is to and other awareness programmes.
ensure that technical requirements are SIRIM Berhad has been appointed
transparent and to ensure that information by the Malaysian Government to establish
is readily available to those who needed and manage the GATT enquiry and
it, especially the traders. Other functions notification functions since 1993. This
of the committee regarding the TBT function, now designated as the
Agreement are co-ordination with other WTO/TBT Enquiry Point is managed by
agencies or ministries on responses to the Standards Management Department
WTO notifications, managing Malaysia's of SIRIM Berhad.
notification to the WTO/TBT Committee
and also formulating recommendations on Malaysian WTO/TBT Enquiry and
TBT matters. Notification Point
There are several other services Standards Management Department,
provided by the Malaysian WTO/TBT SIRIM Berhad
Enquiry and Notification Point, including: Tel: 03 5544 6909
Fax: 03 5544 6920
• assistance in answering foreign Email: tbt@sirim.my
enquiries on any existing or proposed URL: www.sirim.my/WTO/main.htm
Malaysian standards, regulation and
conformity assessment systems;
Standards and Quality News 13
News
Updates on Activities at Regional Level -
ACCSQ RBPWG
& MDPWG
Background
The ASEAN Consultative Committee for
Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) was formed
by the ASEAN Economic Ministers meeting
(AEM) in 1992 with the aim of eliminating
technical barriers to trades (TBTs) through
the harmonization of standards, technical
regulations and conformity assessment
procedures in order to facilitate
implementation of the Common Effective
Preferential Tariff (CEPT) Agreement to realize
the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). At the 4th
Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM)
held in Medan, Indonesia on 8-10 September
1997, the SEOM approved the revised TOR
of the ACCSQ, which among others, authorized
the ACCSQ to involve regulatory bodies in the
ACCSQ in order to achieve its mandate of
eliminating technical barrier to trade.
14 Standards and Quality News
As stated in the declaration of ASEAN
Concord 11 (Bali Concord 11) in October
2003, the ASEAN Economic Community
(AEC) is the realization of the end-goal of
economic integration, namely 'to create a
stable, prosperous and highly competitive
ASEAN economic region in which there is a
free flow of goods, services and
investments, a freer flow of capital, equitable
the
economic development and reduced
poverty and socio-economic disparities' by
the year 2020. Thus, AEC would establish
ASEAN as a single market and production
base, turning the diversity that characterizes
the region into opportunities for business
complementarity and making ASEAN a
more dynamic and stronger segment of the
global supply chain.
With the decision to realize an AEC,
ASEAN countries are clearly moving
towards deeper integration in various
sectors, namely by;
• Strengthening of cooperation under
existing economic cooperation initiatives
in the areas of trade in goods including
customs and standards, trade in
services, investment, intellectual property
rights and capital mobility.
• Accelerating regional integration in 11
priority sectors (air travel, tourism,
electronics, rubber based products,
textiles & apparels, agro based products,
fisheries, wood based products,
automotive, healthcare and e-ASEAN).
• Facilitating the movement of of business
persons, skilled labours and talents.
• Strengthening the institutional
mechanisms of ASEAN including
improving the existing ASEAN dispute
settlement mechanisms to ensure
the expeditious and legally binding
resolution of economic disputes.
As the result of the “ASEAN Framework
Agreement for the Integration of Priority
Sectors” during the 10th ASEAN Summit on
29-30 November 2004 in Vientiane, Lao PDR
to accelerate the integration of eleven priority
sectors, ACCSQ during its 24th Meeting on
3-4 August 2004 has proposed to establish 5
new Product Working Groups and this
proposal was approved by the SEOM I/36
held on 17-19 January 2005 in Yogyakarta,
Indonesia. Consequently, ACCSQ Rubber
Based Product Working Group (RBPWG)
and Medical Device Product Working Group
(MDPWG) were two of the five PWGs
established and assigned to discuss all
appropriate measures to facilitate the
integration of rubber based products and
medical device sectors in ASEAN region.

ACCSQ RBPWG and

MDPWG First Meetings
The first meetings of both ACCSQ RBPWG
and MDPWG were held concurrently on 3-4
March 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Malaysia chaired the both meetings while
Singapore was the Co-chair for MDPWG
and the co-chair for RBPWG was Thailand.
These first meetings of both ACCSQ
domestic regulators. The directory of 4th meeting was held on 19-20 July 2007
RBPWG and MDPWG were meant as a
Accredited Rubber Based Products in Brunei Darussalam and chaired by Datuk
groundwork for drafting its roadmap by
Testing Laboratories will be published Dr. Ir. M.S. Pillay (MOH-Malaysia) while Mr
gathering experts in these fields from all
in ASEAN website. Alfred Kwek (Singapore) was the co-chair.
ASEAN countries to exchange informations,
• Accelerate the harmonisation of Member This meeting was attended by the
ideas and experiences on standards and
Countries' standards for rubber delegations from Brunei Darussalam,
conformance, regulations and development
products through adoption of one Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia,
in rubber based products and medical
common set of standards for all ASEAN Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
device sectors. These PWGs also, from the
Member Countries based on international and ASEAN secretariats.
grass roots, have to identify the specific
standards, wherever applicable. Where
measures which efficiently propagate the
international standards are not available, ACCSQ MDPWG's Action Plans:
PWGs on the right track.
and when requested by industry, develop
a common standard among the ASEAN • Harmonization of ASEAN Medical
Member Countries. Identified rubber Device Regulations (Development
Progress of ACCSQ
based products are tyres and tyre and Implementation of ASEAN Common
RBPWG and MDPWG
products, medical rubber gloves (surgical Technical Requirement Developing - a
ACCSQ RBPWG is going to have its 5th and examination gloves) and rubber common submission dossier template
meeting in March 2007 back to back with bearings. Newly proposed products for for product approval in ASEAN)
29th ACCSQ Meeting in Myanmar. Its 4th harmonization are Latex Foams, Rubber • Formalization of a Post Marketing
meeting was held plenarily on 8-9 August Fenders and Latex Thread. Alert System (PMAS) for defective and
2006 in Jakarta, Indonesia. This meeting • Accelerate the harmonisation of unsafe medical device.
was chaired by Dr Alias Othman (MRB- technical regulations imposed by • Implementation of programme to
Malaysia), co-chaired by Ms Varaporn Member Countries in relation to safety, improve technical infrastructure and
Kajornchaiyakul (Thailand) and attended by health and environment. (To monitor capacity building (to be identified).
delegation from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the technical regulation harmonization • Cooperation/ collaboration with
Myanmar and ASEAN secretariats. processes by APWG and MDPWG international /regional organization
which reflect the RBPWG) (alignment with global/regional

ACCSQ RBPWG's Action Plans: • ASEAN to have common position on harmonization efforts).
new standards for rubber products at • Facilitation of the MDPWG activities

• Encourage rubber manufacturers to international fora. (establishment of Trust fund).

make use of available accredited testing • Development of MDPWG Website

facilities within ASEAN which are 5th Meeting of ACCSQ MDPWG will be for dissemination of information.

recognised and accepted by ASEAN held in January 2007 in Singapore. The last http://www.accsq-mdpwg.org

Standards and Quality News 15

News
New Malaysian Standard:
Specification of medical gloves
performance using glove fatigue
resistance test

the user from cross-contamination. It also

covers gloves intended for use in handling
contaminated medical materials, gloves with
smooth surfaces or with textured surfaces
over part or all of the glove, powdered or
powder-free or polymer coated gloves,
gloves with straight fingers or with fingers
curved in the palm direction.
The standardisation will give glove
users the safety and confidence in using the
type of glove that act as a barrier device for
the duration of the task that they undertake.
It gives the glove manufacturer a practical
indicator of the glove perfomance during
use in comparison to test of physical
strength and water tightness. The standard
would be able to demarcate more

Malaysia is the world leader in the consisting of glove experts from the glove meaningfully the characteristics of gloves

production of rubber latex gloves, industry, universities, and users. The draft that are suitable for different type of task and

accounting for more than 60% of the world standard is targeted to be issued for public task duration.

market. The yearly export earning from this comment by middle of 2007, and published Upon establishment of the standard,

sector totalled more than RM4 billion, by the end of the year. Malaysia will have a standard that can grade

justifying the importance of this industry The standard aims to set the minimum gloves according to their performance

sector to the country’s economy. Most of requirements for fatigue resistance (durability). The Working Group also aims

the gloves produced are for the medical (estimates of durability) for packaged sterile that once it is published, the standard could

sectors, thus stringent measures are gloves intended for use in surgical be put forward as a proposal to ISO for its

required to ensure the quality of Malaysian procedures to protect the patient and the establishment as an International Standard.

made gloves. In this regard, the Malaysian user from cross-contamination. It is

Rubber Board (MRB) which is SIRIM applicable to single-use gloves that are
Berhad’s appointed Standards-Writing worn once and then discarded. The For further information please contact:

Organisation is introducing a new standard standard also specifies requirements for Ms. Nur Salwanie Mohd. Resali

to specify the fatigue resistance of medical packaged sterile or bulked non-sterile SWO – MRB Coordinator

gloves. It is an indigenous standard based gloves intended for use in medical Tel: 03 - 92063654

on studies carried out by MRB. It was examinations and diagnostic or therapeutic Fax: 03 - 42564654

prepared by the Working Group on Gloves procedures, also to protect the patient and Email: salwanie@lgm.gov.my

16 Standards and Quality News

 News
SIRIM QAS International
Winner of QMEA
Award 2006

Congratulations to SIRIM QAS International
for being awarded the prestigious Quality
Management Excellence Award (QMEA) for
Category III on 19 March 2007 at KL
Convention Center. The Award was
presented by Minister of International Trade
and Industry Malaysia, Y. Bhg. Dato’ Seri
Rafidah Aziz to Chairman of SIRIM QAS
International Sdn. Bhd., Y. Bhg. Dato’ Dr.
Mohd. Ariffin Hj. Aton.
The QMEA Award is one of the
awards under the Industry Excellence
Award organized by the Ministry of
International Trade and Industry Malaysia.
The Industry Excellence Award recognizes
organizational excellence, achievement in
quality and information sharing on
successful performance strategies.
SIRIM QAS International is the market
leader in providing certification, inspection
and testing services and is recognized by
both national and international accreditation
bodies such as Department of Standards
Malaysia (DSM), United Kingdom Accreditation
Service (UKAS) and International Automotive
Task Force (IATF). SIRIM QAS International
is also a partner of IQ Net, an international
certification network formed by 39 partner
organizations worldwide to further
demonstrate the capability in the
international arena. The benefit of this
partnership allows SIRIM QAS International
to utilize its international recognition which
leads to a worldwide acceptance. This is
inline with its mission to provide world class
certification, inspection and testing services.

Standards and Quality News 17

Announcement

Codes for Newly

Established
Industry Standards Committee
The National Standards Committee has approved the establishment of several new Industry Standards Committees (ISCs). The ISCs are now
restructured as below:

ISC A - Agriculture (formerly known as Food and Agriculture)

ISC B - Chemicals and Materials
ISC C - Financial Planning, Banking and Related Services (formerly known as
Consumer Products, Personal Safety and Services)
ISC D - Building and Civil Engineering
ISC E - Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electrical Power (formerly the
code was ISC E1)
ISC F - Mechanical Engineering
ISC G - IT, Telecommunications and Multimedia
ISC H - Petroleum and Gas
ISC I - Halal Standards
ISC J - Plastics and Plastics Products
ISC K - Packaging and Distributions
ISC L - Road Vehicles
ISC M - Fire Safety and Prevention
ISC N - Rubber and Rubber Products
ISC O - Organisational Management
ISC P - Iron and Steel
ISC Q - Textiles and Apparels
ISC R - Medical Devices
ISC S - Electrical Equipment and Accessories (formerly the code was ISC E2)
ISC T - Tourism, Exhibition and Hospitality Services
ISC U - Food and Food Products
ISC W - Occupational Health and Safety
ISC Y - Quality Management and Quality Assurance
ISC Z - Environmental Management

18 Standards and Quality News


Malaysia taking over
Chairmanship of ISO/TC 157-
Mechanical Contraceptives
Following the nomination by the Secretariat
of ISO/TC 157 - Mechanical Contraceptives,
the ISO Technical Management Board (ISO
TMB) has appointed Y. Bhg. Dato' Dr. Ong
Eng Long, the Deputy CEO of Malaysian
Rubber Export Promotion Council (MREPC),
representing the Department of Standards
Malaysia as the new Chairman of ISO/TC
157 for the period of 2007 till 2012. The
former Chairman of ISO/TC 157, Mr.
Graham Holloway of the South African
Bureau of Standards (SABS) had relinquished
his position as the Chairman of TC 157 due
to his appointment in ISO/TMB that could
possibly be a conflict of interest with his role
as the Chairman of TC 157. With this
appointment, Malaysia is currently holding
both the secretariat and chairmanship of
ISO/TC 157.
Announcement
We take this opportunity to congratulate
Y. Bhg. Dato' Dr. Ong Eng Long on his
appointment as the new Chairman of
ISO/TC 157. The ISO Central Secretariat
and the Secretariat of ISO/TC 157 is looking
forward to collaborating with him over the
coming years for the benefit of international
standardisation.
Standards and Quality News 19