Kuala Lumpur, 18 November 2021 – The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) received a certificate from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Scheme (PEFC) for the maintenance of endorsement of the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) at the virtual PEFC Awards Ceremony yesterday.
PEFC is the world’s biggest non-profit, non-governmental organisation of forest certification system based in Geneva, Switzerland. The virtual award presentation ceremony was hosted by PEFC International in conjunction with its 26th General Assembly held yesterday. The certificate was presented by PEFC International Chairman, Peter Latham and PEFC International Secretary General, Ben Gunneberg.
In the award acceptance remarks, MTCC Chief Executive Officer, Siti Syaliza Mustapha dedicated the achievement to MTCC’s stakeholders and staff for their vigourous commitment in ensuring that the MTCS continues to meet PEFC’s strict international sustainability benchmarks, particularly amidst the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
“It has been a bumpy ride as the pandemic has brought us various challenges to overcome especially when it comes to workflows. This achievement is definitely a boost for us to beef up our efforts in ensuring that the MTCS continues to fulfil international sustainability standard and be a significant tool in sustainable forest management endeavours in Malaysia. On behalf of MTCC, I would like to dedicate this achievement to the MTCC Board of Trustees, stakeholders, supporters and especially the MTCC team for their hard work and strong commitment in ensuring that the MTCS continues to meet PEFC’s strict international sustainability benchmarks,” she said.
She said the maintenance of endorsement means that the MTCS will continue to be mutually recognised by 47 other PEFC endorsed schemes and accepted under the national timber procurement policies of developed countries mainly in Europe.
“Most importantly, this recognition facilitates local companies certified under the MTCS to respond to the increased awareness for sustainability and the demands for improved transparency and governance and in so doing, continue to enjoy the perks of certification such as access to the global markets,” she added.
The MTCS is the first tropical forest scheme in Asia Pacific to be endorsed by PEFC. The voluntary scheme was first endorsed by PEFC in 2009 and re-endorsed in 2014. On 1 June 2021, PEFC announced the maintenance of endorsement of the scheme for another five years following assessment conducted by independent assessor, Form International. As the National Governing Body implementing the MTCS, MTCC is required to revise its certification standards and other relevant technical documents once every five years to meet international sustainability benchmarks. The revision ensures that the latest development in PEFC’s requirements, new scientific information, practical experience gained in the field, as well as the society’s expectations and aspirations towards sustainable forest management are considered by the scheme and implemented as part of PEFC’s commitment to continuous improvement.