[Click here for Bahasa Melayu version]
Kuala Lumpur, 13 June 2025 – The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) is pleased to announce that the “Outputs, Recommendations and Action Report from the PEFC-MTCC Field Visit 2025” has been officially published by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), and is now available to all stakeholders and interested parties.
The report is available for download on PEFC’s website at the following link:
PEFC-MTCC Field Visit 2025 – Outputs, Recommendations and Action Report
It is published alongside the original news article dated 24 February 2025, which provides background and context to the field visit:
News Article – Strengthening Transparency and Collaboration in Sustainable Forest Management
The Outputs, Recommendations and Action Report reflects the collective insights and on-the-ground observations made by key stakeholders during the field visit. It identifies strengths, highlights areas for improvement, and proposes actionable steps to enhance the implementation of sustainable forest management (SFM) practices under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS).
This report is a significant milestone for MTCC and its partners as it:
- Reinforces transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in forest certification and management.
- Demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to multi-stakeholder engagement and global best practices.
- Provides a structured pathway for capacity building, policy alignment, and more robust assurance mechanisms across certified forest areas.
The findings and follow-up actions in this report serve as a valuable guide toward strengthening Malaysia’s position as a global leader in certified, legal, and sustainable timber production. MTCC aspires to ensure that Malaysian forest management practices continue to meet international third party accreditation best practices and international market expectations, particularly in relation to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements.
To date, MTCC has taken proactive action and is already actively implementing key recommendations from the report and continuing its commitment to enhancing the MTCS. Notable progress includes:
- Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC): A public consultation was conducted between December 2024 and January 2025 to gather input on FPIC. The analysis of this input is now complete, and MTCC is currently preparing to organise a workshop to develop a comprehensive FPIC guideline for the MTCS.
- Complaints and Dispute Resolution: A new, enhanced complaints and dispute resolution mechanism has been developed and is currently undergoing a public consultation process to ensure its robustness and effectiveness.
- Continuous Training and Capacity Building: To further strengthen certification and audition practices, a training and capacity building workshop will be organised in October 2025. This workshop will cover critical issues related to certification and auditing, as well as advancements in maps and mapping relevant to sustainable forest management.
Through the implementation of the report’s recommendations, MTCC aims to:
- Enhance market confidence in MTCS-certified timber and timber products.
- Expand access to green markets and sustainable supply chains globally.
- Support long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Malaysia’s timber industry and exports.
We encourage all stakeholders – ranging from forest managers and certification bodies to policymakers and civil society organisations – to review the report and take part in the collective journey toward a more sustainable and resilient forestry sector.
For further information, please contact:
Muhammad Hasif Azizan
Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC)
Email: [email protected]