Kuala Lumpur, December 22, 2023 – The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) held a productive briefing session for PEFC Chain of Custody (CoC) certificate holders under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) yesterday. Attended by 65 certificate holders and timber association, the session held at the AVANTÉ Hotel, served to update attendees on the current status of MTCS implementation, explore the revised PEFC CoC 2020 Standards, and address concerns regarding the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The briefing was provided by MTCC Director (Product) Mr Akmal Saarani, and Executive (Product), Ms Adibah Mohd Aris.
Ms Adibah provided a comprehensive overview of the current progress made in implementing the MTCS, highlighting key achievements and ongoing initiatives. This included updates on the latest PEFC Chain of Custody standard, PEFC Trademarks standard and MTCS documents. MTCC highlighted the transition to the PEFC ST 2020 by 31 December 2023. Any certificates that have not fully transitioned by 01 January 2024 will automatically be updated to “expired” on the PEFC database.
The most anticipated topic of the day was the update on the EUDR. The regulation, which entered into force in July 2023, places strict due diligence obligations on companies placing timber products on the EU market. MTCC reassured attendees that they are working closely with PEFC to ensure MTCS-PEFC certified timber products originating from Malaysia comply with EUDR requirements. MTCC aims to disseminate the latest EUDR update to all stakeholders through various communication channels and to participate and contribute to the Task Forces related to EUDR.
The session concluded with an open discussion, where CoC holders had the opportunity to raise concerns, ask questions, and provide feedback to both MTCC and PEFC. This valuable exchange allowed for open dialogue and facilitated a collaborative approach to addressing challenges and enhancing the MTCS program.
The MTCC briefing session proved to be a valuable platform for informing and engaging PEFC CoC holders under the MTCS. With increased transparency and collaboration, MTCC and PEFC aim to ensure the continued relevance and effectiveness of the MTCS in the face of evolving international regulations and market demands.
Key takeaways from the briefing session:
- MTCS implementation continues to progress, with a focus on sustainable forest management and robust chain of custody procedures.
- PEFC CoC 2020 Standards require adjustments but offer opportunities for improved transparency and traceability.
- MTCC is working closely with PEFC to ensure Malaysian timber products comply with EU’s EUDR requirements.
- Open dialogue and collaboration are crucial for addressing challenges and strengthening the MTCS program.
This briefing session represents a positive step forward for the MTCS and underscores the commitment of MTCC and PEFC to promoting sustainable forestry practices and ensuring continued market access for Malaysian timber products.
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