If your facility operates a wet or dry scrubber system to control industrial air emissions, Malaysian law does not allow just anyone to run it. Under the Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulations 2014, enforced by the Department of Environment (DOE), facilities with air pollution control systems — including scrubbers — are required to appoint a certified competent person to operate, monitor, and maintain the equipment.
For factory owners, plant managers, and EHS officers, understanding this requirement is not optional. Non-compliance can result in enforcement action, operational downtime, and reputational risk. This article explains what the regulation requires, who qualifies as a "competent person," and how your organisation can achieve compliance.
A scrubber system removes pollutants — such as particulate matter, acid gases, and volatile chemicals — from industrial exhaust air before it is released into the atmosphere. Because scrubbers are classified as Air Pollution Control System (APCS) equipment, their performance directly affects a facility's compliance with emission limits set by the DOE.
If a scrubber is poorly operated or maintained, emission levels can exceed legal limits without the facility even realising it. This is why the regulation places responsibility on a specifically trained individual — not general maintenance staff — to operate, log, and troubleshoot the system correctly.
The Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulations 2014, under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, require premises operating scheduled emission sources with air pollution control equipment to:
The competent person requirement specifically applies to scrubber operation, and DOE recognises certification issued through EiMAS (Environmental Institute of Malaysia)-approved training providers.
A competent person for scrubber systems is an individual who has completed and passed a recognised certification programme covering:
In Malaysia, this certification is known as CePSO — Certified Environmental Professional in Scrubber Operation. It is issued through training providers approved by HRD Corp, MBOT, and EiMAS.
Simply assigning an existing technician without formal certification does not satisfy the regulation — DOE inspections specifically check for valid competent person certification tied to the registered APCS.
Facilities that operate scrubber systems without a certified competent person may face:
For M&E consultants and contractors managing compliance on behalf of clients, ensuring the end-user has a certified operator is a critical, often overlooked, part of project handover.
ZABSI Training Academy, an HRD Corp, MBOT, and EiMAS-approved training centre, offers the Certified Environmental Professional in Scrubber Operation (CePSO) programme designed specifically for personnel responsible for operating and maintaining scrubber systems.
The programme covers:
Training culminates in assessment and certification, providing your facility with documented proof of a qualified competent person on record — satisfying DOE requirements and reducing compliance risk.
Q: Is CePSO certification mandatory for all scrubber systems in Malaysia? A: If your facility operates a scrubber as part of a registered Air Pollution Control System under the Clean Air Regulations 2014, DOE requires a certified competent person to operate it.
Q: Can one certified person cover multiple scrubber units at the same facility? A: This depends on the scope of DOE registration and site risk assessment. Facilities should confirm coverage requirements with their compliance consultant or the DOE.
Q: How long does CePSO certification take? A: Programme duration varies by provider; ZABSI Training Academy structures the course to combine classroom theory with practical assessment within a short, HRD Corp-claimable training period.
Q: What happens if our competent person leaves the company? A: The facility must appoint and certify a replacement promptly to remain compliant, as DOE ties the certification to the individual, not the position.
Don't leave your scrubber system compliance to chance. ZABSI Training Academy helps factory managers, EHS teams, and plant operators across Malaysia meet DOE competent person requirements through EiMAS-approved CePSO certification.
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