This notice from the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) serves to clarify the requirements for the on-site verification of Removal Passes at Forest Checking Stations (FCS) during MTCS/PEFC Chain of Custody (CoC) audits. This clarification is issued to ensure immediate, consistent implementation across all Certification Bodies operating under the MTCS/PEFC framework.
2. Prior to 2021, CoC auditing protocols required a “backward linkage” verification process. This necessitated that auditors manually trace timber materials from primary processing facilities (e.g., sawmills or plywood mills) back to the originating Forest Management Unit (FMU) through physical verification of the Removal Pass at the FCS. This requirement was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been re-evaluated under current standards.
3. To provide clarity on this matter, with the full implementation of MTCS ST 1002:2021, the procedural requirement for routine physical backtracking at the FCS has been superseded. The following requirements now provide the necessary assurance of origin:
- Standard Compliance (Indicator 8.3.1): It is now mandatory for all Removal Passes to carry an explicit “100% PEFC-certified” claim.
- Verification of Origin: This mandatory claim provides inherent, documented assurance of the material’s certified status at the first point of entry into the supply chain.
- Audit Implications: Consequently, “backward linkage” verification at the FCS is no longer a routine requirement for auditors under normal circumstances, unless deemed necessary by the auditors. The certified status of the material is officially verified via the validated Removal Pass and the accompanying documentation.
Publish date: 22 December 2025