Malaysia Issues Guidelines on Certificates of Fitness for Pressure Vessels and Steam Boilers 
The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) of Malaysia published two guidelines under the Occupational Safety and Health (Plant Requiring Certificate of Fitness) Regulations 2024 on August 7, 2026:
- Guidelines on Conditions of Pressure Vessels under Second Schedule of the Occupational Safety and Health (Plant Requiring Certificate of Fitness) Regulations 2024
- Guidelines on Application for Periodic Inspection using Advanced Technology for Pressure Vessels and Steam Boilers Requiring Certificate of Fitness
The 2024 Regulations require users of steam boilers, pressure vessels, and lifting machinery to obtain a Certificate of Fitness. The first guidelines clarifies the qualifying conditions and applicable exemptions for pressure vessels, while the latter outlines application procedures for periodic inspections conducted after obtaining a Certificate of Fitness for pressure vessels and steam boilers.
Exemptions for Pressure Vessels
Pressure vessels that meet one or more of the following exemption conditions are exempt from the obligation to obtain a Certificate of Fitness, and no formal application is required. However, entities are required to keep documentation readily available to demonstrate compliance with the exemption criteria. The guideline provides additional explanations for each exemption condition.
- A pressure vessel having an internal or external design pressure not exceeding 15 PSIG regardless of the size of the pressure vessel
- A pressure vessel having an internal diameter, width, height or cross section diagonal not exceeding six inches regardless of the length or pressure of the pressure vessel
- A pressure vessel containing water under pressure having a design pressure not exceeding 300 PSIG and a design temperature not exceeding 99℃
- A pressure vessel with two or more chambers having an internal or external design pressure on each chamber not exceeding 15 PSIG and the differential pressure between each chamber not exceeding 15 PSIG regardless of the size of pressure vessel
- A pressure vessel with its piping component or an accessory of the piping component which function is to mix, separate, snub, distribute or control the flow of medium in the piping component or accessory of the piping component
- A pressure vessel which is a component of a rotating or reciprocating mechanical device which functions is to support the operation of the mechanical device
- A pressure vessel which is a plate heat exchanger or spiral heat exchanger
- A pressure vessel which becomes a component of a chiller package for a building
- Pressure vessel which is inside a complete cold box package which is an aluminium heat exchanger soldered which consists in a carbon steel shell with structural supports, insulation containment and protection for internal tools
- Pressure vessel which is a gas cylinder used for the storage and transportation of compressed, dissolved and liquefied gases
Periodic Inspection of Pressure Vessels and Steam Boilers
The guideline sets out each individual application procedures for periodic inspections and technical conditions to be satisfied during inspections. These are classified into four categories, each governed by distinct conditions:
- A: Pressure vessels
- B: Steam boilers
- C: Pressure vessels using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a medium, and cryogenic pressure vessels
- D: Pressure vessels using special media (hazardous substances, petroleum products, etc.)
Download the guidelines from below:
- Guidelines on Conditions of Pressure Vessels under Second Schedule of the Occupational Safety and Health (Plant Requiring Certificate of Fitness) Regulations 2024
https://dosh.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PANDUAN-PERINCIAN-KRITERIA-BEJANA-TEKANAN-DI-BAWAH-JADUAL-KEDUA-PERATURAN-LYMPK.pdf - Guidelines on Application for Periodic Inspection using Advanced Technology for Pressure Vessels and Steam Boilers Requiring Certificate of Fitness
https://dosh.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Lampiran-E_Panduan-PSTT.pdf
