this study aims to explore the adoption of Malaysian Standards (MS) on SMEs performances and is mediated by characteristics of MS, characteristics of SMEs and external factors. This study was conducted using questionnaires distributed to 300 SMEs in various sectors. The statistical analysis utilized Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). A multiple mediation model enabled us to investigate the specific indirect and direct effect of each mediator. Results showed that the proposed MS factors were significant in impacting SME performance. The results also showed that characteristics of MS, characteristics of SME, and external factors are positively associated with SME performance. The results imply that adoption of MS may increase SMEs performance through mediating factors. The study shed new light on SMEs performance through this adoption. The results also have implications for practitioners and academics.