Singapore is one of the most disciplined and tightly regulated consumer markets in Southeast Asia. If you want to import or sell electrical products there, product safety compliance is not something you can leave until the shipment is already on the ship. For many products, the relevant requirement is what many exporters still call the PSB mark, even though the official name used today is the SAFETY Mark. This article explains what that means in practice, which products are covered, how registration works, and what importers should check before shipping goods to Singapore.
What is the PSB Mark – and what is it called today?
The term PSB mark is still widely used in trade, especially by exporters in Asia, but it is an older business term rather than the name Singapore uses officially today. The current regulatory label is the SAFETY Mark, used under the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations (CPSR).
In practical terms, when someone refers to PSB certification for controlled electrical goods in Singapore, they are usually talking about the same product-safety system now administered through the SAFETY Mark framework.
The mark itself is not just a graphic symbol. It is part of a registration system that links the product to a registered supplier and an approved model in Singapore.
📝 Important: The SAFETY Mark includes a unique registration number. It is not just a visual label for packaging — it is part of a traceable regulatory registration system.
Who oversees the SAFETY Mark scheme?
The SAFETY Mark scheme is administered through the Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) under Singapore’s product safety framework. The CPSO oversees registration, supplier obligations, market surveillance, and enforcement for Controlled Goods supplied in Singapore.
For medium-risk and high-risk Controlled Goods, conformity assessment is carried out through designated Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs). For low-risk Controlled Goods, the Registered Supplier may submit a Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC), provided the supporting test evidence meets the scheme requirements.
In practice, companies commonly work with recognized certification bodies and accredited laboratories when preparing the documentation needed for registration.
📝 Important: At least one party in the supply chain must register for the SAFETY Mark before the Controlled Good can be supplied in Singapore. In practice, this usually means a Singapore-registered importer, distributor, or other local supplier entity.
Which products require the SAFETY Mark?
Under the CPSR, Singapore regulates 33 categories of Controlled Goods. These are household electrical, electronic, and gas appliances and accessories considered to carry higher consumer-safety risks. Products in these categories must be tested to the required standards, registered, and affixed with the SAFETY Mark before they can be supplied to consumers in Singapore.
The categories are grouped by risk level, which affects the conformity-assessment route.
High-risk Controlled Goods
These are products with the highest potential safety consequences if they fail. Depending on the category, they may include items such as certain socket outlets, refrigerators, water heaters, or gas appliances. These products require a formal conformity-assessment route involving a CAB and a Certificate of Conformity.
Medium-risk Controlled Goods
This category covers many commonly traded household and electronic items, such as adapters, selected audio/video products, lighting accessories, fans, and some IT-related equipment. These products also require a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from a designated CAB before registration.
Low-risk Controlled Goods
Low-risk Controlled Goods follow a lighter route. For these, the Registered Supplier can submit a Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) to the CPSO, supported by the appropriate test documents.
💡Tip: Low risk does not mean “no testing.” It simply means the route is based on supplier declaration supported by qualifying evidence, rather than a third-party CoC.
Non-Controlled Goods
If a product does not fall within the 33 Controlled Goods categories, it does not require SAFETY Mark registration under the CPSR. That does not mean it is free from all safety obligations. Products supplied to consumers in Singapore still need to be safe, and unsafe goods may still trigger regulatory action.
The SAFETY Mark registration process – step by step
The exact process varies slightly by product category and risk level, but the structure is usually the same.
Step 1 – Confirm that the product is a Controlled Good
Start by checking whether the product falls within one of the 33 Controlled Goods categories and whether it is classified as low, medium, or high risk. This determines the registration path and the kind of conformity assessment required.
Step 2 – Make sure there is a Registered Supplier in Singapore
The product must be registered by a Singapore-based supplier in the system. That local party becomes the Registered Supplier (RS) and is central to the compliance process. Without that step, the product cannot move forward under the SAFETY Mark framework.
Step 3 – Prepare the test reports and technical file
The supplier needs the relevant supporting documents, which may include test reports, product photos, technical information, and other compliance evidence depending on the route used. Existing CB reports may help in practice, but they do not by themselves replace the Singapore registration process.
Step 4 – Obtain a CoC if required
For medium-risk and high-risk Controlled Goods, the Registered Supplier must work with a designated CAB. If the product meets the relevant requirements, the CAB issues a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) and submits it as part of the registration path.
Step 5 – Submit the registration
For low-risk Controlled Goods, the Registered Supplier submits the SDoC and required documents directly. For medium- and high-risk products, the CoC route applies. If the submitted documents are in order, the CPSO issues a Letter of Approval (LOA).
Step 6 – Affix the SAFETY Mark
Only after approval may the SAFETY Mark be affixed to the product or its packaging. The mark must correspond to the registered model and registration details.
Step 7 – Maintain ongoing compliance
Registration is not the end of the process. The Registered Supplier must maintain the compliance file and make sure ongoing supply remains consistent with the approved product. Changes to the model, safety design, or supporting documentation may require review or re-registration.
How long is SAFETY Mark registration valid?
In many cases, SAFETY Mark registration is valid for up to three years, but the actual validity depends on the applicable route and supporting conformity documents. Importers should not rely on a general assumption here — the exact validity period needs to be confirmed based on the registration type and underlying evidence.
It is also important to remember that Singapore has updated applicable standards for some medium-risk Controlled Goods. New registrations have been subject to updated standards since 1 June 2024, and renewals since 1 June 2025. If the supporting reports are based on outdated standard editions, renewal may not go through without updated testing.
📝 Important: Do not assume an older test report will still work for renewal. If the applicable standard has changed, you may need updated documentation before the next registration cycle.
What happens if you sell without the SAFETY Mark?
Singapore actively enforces the SAFETY Mark requirement. Controlled Goods that are not properly registered and marked cannot legally be supplied to consumers in Singapore. In practice, this can lead to product delisting, supply prohibition, recalls, and enforcement action.
CPSO also conducts market surveillance, including checks on e-commerce platforms. This matters because enforcement does not stop at customs or physical retail. Unregistered products sold online are also within scope.
PSB Mark, SAFETY Mark, and your shipment to Singapore
Certification is only one part of the job. Your commercial invoice, packing list, and import documents must also line up with the registered model information. If the model number on the shipment paperwork does not match the registered model, delays and questions can arise very quickly.
This is one reason why working with a freight forwarder who understands Singapore’s compliance environment can make a real operational difference. A forwarder familiar with Singapore’s rules can help flag documentation mismatches before the cargo reaches the market. You may find experienced freight forwarders on ShipHub.co.
Key takeaways – PSB Mark and SAFETY Mark for Singapore
- The PSB mark is the commonly used historical trade term for what Singapore now officially calls the SAFETY Mark.
- The SAFETY Mark applies to 33 categories of Controlled Goods regulated under the CPSR.
- Controlled Goods are divided into low, medium, and high-risk categories.
- Low-risk goods are registered through SDoC; medium- and high-risk goods require a CoC from a designated CAB.
- A Singapore-based Registered Supplier is required in the process.
- Registration, labeling, and shipment documentation must all match the approved product model.
Frequently Asked Questions about PSB/SAFETY
Is the PSB mark the same as the Singapore SAFETY Mark?
In trade language, yes. “PSB mark” is the older name many exporters still use, but the official regulatory term in Singapore today is SAFETY Mark.
Can a foreign company apply for SAFETY Mark registration directly?
In practice, the process requires a Singapore-based Registered Supplier in the supply chain. Foreign manufacturers typically work through a Singapore importer, distributor, or other local entity.
Can I use a CB test certificate for SAFETY Mark registration?
CB documents can be helpful as supporting evidence, but they do not by themselves replace Singapore’s registration process. Whether they are sufficient in your case depends on the product and the applicable route.
Does the SAFETY Mark apply to all electrical products sold in Singapore?
SAFETY mark applies specifically to the 33 categories of Controlled Goods regulated under the CPSR. Products outside those categories do not require SAFETY Mark registration, although they still need to be safe for consumers.
If you are planning to move products into Singapore, ShipHub can connect you with freight forwarders experienced in cargo across Singapore and beyond.