National Mark of Malaysian Brand
National Mark of MALAYSIAN BRAND Certification Scheme
SME Corporation Malaysia, in collaboration with SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd. has developed the National Mark of MALAYSIAN BRAND certification scheme that promotes the development of Malaysian brands to meet global quality standards. The certification scheme is an effort to assist Malaysian brand owners to increase their market reach and compete on a global platform. Organizations that participate in the scheme and successfully fulfill all the required criteria will be awarded the right to use the National Mark of MALAYSIAN BRAND on their product packaging and in all their marketing communications efforts. Their brands will directly benefit from the association they will be making with the National Mark of MALAYSIAN BRANDS that represents the highest in standards of Quality, Excellence and Distinction.
Through this association, more Malaysian brands will have the opportunity to build brand equity and to dispel the perception of being of inferior quality. The National Mark of MALAYSIAN BRAND carries with it the endorsement of quality from the Malaysian Government, through SME Corporation Malaysia and its partners behind the certification scheme.
Among the prerequisites for participating in the certification scheme, organizations must first achieve a minimum of 3-Star rating under SME Corp’s SCORE rating programme and must have in place an existing quality standards programme such as ISO 9001. In order for organizations to successfully acquire the rights to display the Mark, they must submit to a series of evaluations and audit, where their strict adherence to quality standards and criteria will be put to the test.
Through this effort, the Malaysian Government hopes to provide Malaysian Brands with some assistance to grow, penetrate international markets and become competitive on a global platform. Other than the opportunity to build brand equity through its association with a mark of quality, the National Mark of MALAYSIAN BRAND awardees will receive a number of other benefits including trade promotional activities and assistance in terms of expertise.
The National Mark of MALAYSIAN BRAND certification scheme was officially launched on the 2nd of March 2009 by HRH Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah, the Regent of Perak.
Benefits of Certification
The biggest benefit that a Malaysian brand can derive from the National Mark of MALAYSIAN BRAND certification scheme is the leverage it will get by association to the mark. Since the Mark represents the highest standards in Quality, Excellence and Distinction, Malaysian brands that are associated with the mark will automatically be associated with what the mark stands for.As the Mark becomes a symbol of trust in local and foreign markets, this perception is transferred to the brands that carry the mark in their product packaging and marketing communications.
Other than these intrinsic benefits of the scheme, companies that have been successfully awarded the National Mark of MALAYSIAN BRAND will also receive the following benefits from SME Corp. Malaysia and its partners in this programme.
- Qualifying SMEs are entitle to 50% of the total cost charged by SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd. for the audit and certification process will be borne by SME Corp. Malaysia.
- SME Corp. Malaysia will reimburse qualifying SMEs up to RM100,000 of costs incurred for the purpose of marketing, advertising, development and design of product packaging and promotional materials. This incentive is applicable within the first 2 years of being awarded the National Mark of MALAYSIAN BRAND (subject to available funds).
- Green lane for Business Accelerator Programme (BAP) assistance under SME Corp. Malaysia.
- Assistance in accessing on-going local and international trade promotions and Advertising & Promotional activities by MATRADE.
- Invitations to specific training opportunities/programmes organized by SME Corp. Malaysia and its partners.
- Privileged media coverage.
Source from: http://www.nationalmark.gov.my