Recognised Around
the World
MTCS-certified timber is accepted across global procurement, sustainability, and compliance frameworks through PEFC endorsement.
International
Recognition
The Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) since 2009, receives direct recognition in select policies and broader acceptance through PEFC’s mutual recognition system. Together, these ensure MTCS-certified timber meets government procurement requirements, green building standards, and legality due diligence expectations worldwide.
For MTCS recognition within Malaysia’s own national policy, green procurement, and green building frameworks, visit our National Recognition page.
Government
Procurement Policies
These international policies specifically name MTCS:
Recognition via
PEFC Endorsement
As MTCS is endorsed by PEFC, MTCS-certified timber is also accepted where public procurement policies recognise PEFC-certified timber or PEFC-endorsed certification schemes, subject to valid certification, chain-of-custody requirements and product-specific claim checks. This currently applies under the national timber procurement policies of:
Denmark
Denmark’s public procurement guidance for sustainable timber recognises PEFC as offering sufficient proof of sustainable timber under the Danish guidelines. (Source: Danish Ministry of the Environment, Nature Agency, Criteria for Assessment of Certification Schemes:
Assessment Results of FSC and PEFC).
France
In February 2025, the State Procurement Directorate under the Ministry of Economy, Finances and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty published updated eco-responsible procurement guidelines for public woodwork contracts. The tool explicitly specifies that all wood used must originate from sustainably managed forests certified by PEFC, or equivalent, affirming PEFC certification as proof of sustainable timber in French public procurement. (Source: French State Procurement Directorate, Ministry of Economy, Finance and
Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Woodwork: Tool Sheet for Eco-Responsible Procurement, February 2025)
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom’s Timber Procurement Policy recognises PEFC-certified products as TPP-compliant Category A evidence, subject to chain-of-custody, certificate validity and claim checks. (Source: UK Government, Timber Procurement Policy: Prove Legality and
Sustainability)
Green Building
Rating Systems
As a PEFC-endorsed scheme, MTCS-certified timber supports credits and recognition requirements in major green building rating systems worldwide, including:
BREEA (UK/International)
As a PEFC-endorsed scheme, MTCS-certified timber supports credits and recognition requirements in major green building rating systems worldwide, including:
LEED (US Green Building Council)
Under LEED v5, specifying PEFC-certified wood is recognised as a key method for meeting risk mitigation requirements within the Ecosystem Health guidance for Level 1 Legality. (Source: PEFC International, New LEEDv5 Requirements Align with
PEFC and SFI)
DGNB (Germany)
PEFC is recognised under Criterion ENV1.3, Responsible Resource Extraction, supporting ecological and social accountability in material sourcing. (Source: PEFC International, pefc.org; DGNB System criteria set, ENV1.3)
Nordic Swan Ecolabel (Scandinavia)
Wood raw materials must come from sustainably managed forests, with suppliers required to hold a valid Chain of Custody Certificate from a scheme such as PEFC.
(Source: Nordic Ecolabelling, Forestry Requirements 2020)
Green Star (Australia)
PEFC-endorsed certification, recognised in Australia through Responsible Wood, qualifies under the Green Building Council of Australia’s Responsible Products Framework. (Source: Green Building Council of Australia, Responsible Products
Framework)
Green Globes (USA/Canada)
PEFC-certified wood products qualify under Green Globes’ sustainable forest products criteria, alongside other recognised certification programmes. Source: Green Building Initiative, Green Globes Technical Reference Guide (Materials)
CASBEE (Japan)
PEFC-certified timber, verified through forest certification and chain-of-custody systems, is recognised under CASBEE’s sustainable timber sourcing criteria. Source: Institute for Building Environment and Energy Conservation (IBEC), CASBEE
for Building (New Construction) Technical Manual)
Legislative due
Diligence Support
PEFC/MTCS certification provides internationally recognised documentation that supports legality and due diligence requirements under major timber-related legislation. Certification is generally accepted as a risk-assessment input rather than automatic proof of compliance, so buyers and suppliers should always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority. This includes: