Malaysian Timber Certification Council

Certified Malaysian Timber Companies Can Now Apply For Tax Deduction On Expenses Incurred In Obtaining COC Certification Under The MTCS

Malaysian timber companies holding the MTCC Certificate for Chain-of-Custody can now apply from the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negara – LHDN) for tax deduction on expenses incurred when obtaining chain-of-custody (CoC) certification from MTCC under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), with effect from the assessment year 2007.

MTCC SUBMITS ITS SCHEME FOR PEFC ENDORSEMENT

MTCC has formally submitted the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) for endorsement of the PEFC Council (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) on 28 March 2008.

THREE MORE FMUs CERTIFIED AGAINST MC&I(2002)

The Kelantan and Perak Forest Management Units (FMUs) became the third and fourth FMUs in Peninsular Malaysia, while the Anap-Muput FMU became the first FMU in Sarawak, to be certified....

OUTCOME OF THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFT MC&I(FOREST PLANTATIONS), 30 APRIL - 30 JUNE 2007

The draft Malaysian Criteria and Indicators for Forest Management Certification (Forest Plantations) or in short the MC&I(Forest Plantations) was subjected to public consultation/comment over a 60-day duration from 30 April to 30 June 2007.

Expiry of Validity of the Certificate for Forest Management

The Certificate for Forest Management issued to the Selangor FMU (FMC 02) and the Terengganu FMU (FMC 03) against the requirements of MC&I(2001) have both expired on 13 December 2007 and will not be renewed, in line with MTCC’s decision to switch from the use of the MC&I(2001) to MC&I(2002).

PAHANG FMU SECOND TO BE CERTIFIED UNDER MC&I(2002)

The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) is pleased to announce that the Pahang FMU has become the second FMU after the Negeri Sembilan FMU to be awarded with the new Certificate for Forest Management against the requirements of the Malaysian Criteria and Indicators for Forest Management Certification [MC&I(2002)].

Terengganu FMU Certificate for Forest Management extended

The validity of the Certificate for Forest Management awarded to the Terengganu FMU has been extended to 13 December 2007.

OVERSEAS-BASED ACCREDITED CBS RECOGNISED Overseas Timber Companies can now apply for CoC Certification

In line with its decision to use only Certification Bodies (CBs) accredited with the Department of Standards Malaysia (DSM) under the relevant ISO Guides such as Guides 62, 65 or 66 under other programmes [such as the ISO 9001(quality management system) and ISO 14000 (environmental management system)] with effect from 1st April 2007,......

NEGERI SEMBILAN FMU FIRST TO BE CERTIFIED AGAINST MC&I(2002)

The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) wishes to announce that the Negeri Sembilan FMU is the first FMU to be awarded with the Certificate for Forest Management against the requirements of the Malaysian Criteria and Indicators for Forest Management Certification or in short the MC&I(2002).

UKTTF comments on The Star article

Mr. Andy Roby, Head of Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility, Timber Trade Federation of the United Kingdom (UKTTF) has forwarded his comments to the writer of the article, Ms. Hilary Chiew, clarifying that he has been quoted erroneously in the above article. However, his clarification has not been published by The Star. To read Mr. Roby's reply in full, please click

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION: FOREST MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT OF ANAP MUPUT FOREST MANAGEMENT UNIT (FMU), SARAWAK

The Anap-Muput FMU is the second FMU in Sarawak to undergo certification under the MTCC timber certification scheme. The Anap-Muput FMU which is located in the Tatau District, Bintulu Division is managed by Zedtee Sdn. Bhd., the main contractor to Shin Yang Trading Sdn. Bhd. which is the Licensee of the FMU.

Statement by MTCC on Keurhout Board of Appeal Ruling on Lionex (M) Sdn. Bhd.

MTCC has issued a statement as a response to the decision by the Keurhout Board of Appeal (BoA) on the admission of the Malaysian company Lionex (M) Sdn. Bhd. to the Keurhout Legal System

PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND CALL FOR COMMENTS ON DRAFT MALAYSIAN CRITERIA AND INDICATORS FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION (FOREST PLANTATIONS) [MC&I(FOREST PLANTATIONS)]

Draft MC&I(Forest Plantations) ready for public comment

MTCC's response to 'The Star' article

'The Star' published an article on 16 March 2007 entitled 'Suhakam finds conflicting views'. MTCC has commented on the article through a letter to 'The Star' on 4 April 2007. However, up till now the comments from MTCC have yet to be published.

MTCC's reply to COAC's letter in 'The Star'

'The Star' published a letter from the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) on 6 February 2007 entitled ‘Certification dispute’. MTCC has written to The Star on 9 February in reponse. However, up till now the response from MTCC has yet to be published.

MTCC’s reply to 'The Star' article Disputed papers

The local daily 'The Star' published an article entitled 'Disputed papers' in its 'Star Two' section on 9 January 2007, which contained some misleading information pertaining to the MTCC timber certification scheme. In response, MTCC sent a letter to the Editor of The Star on 10 January, but until today, the letter has yet to be published.

UK Government continues to accept MTCC scheme as assurance of legally harvested timber

The UK Government will continue to accept the MTCC scheme as assurance of legally harvested timber. According to a press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on 18 December 2006,

Pahang, Selangor Certificates extended, Terengganu Certificate expires

The Certificate for Forest Management issued to the Pahang and Selangor FMUs against the requirements of MC&I(2001) and valid till 13 December 2006, have been extended for another year, up to 13 December 2007. However, the Certificate issued to the Terengganu FMU has expired on 13 December 2006.

Jabu blames few stubborn Penans for blockade

Kuching: Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu has blamed a few "stubborn" Penans for blockading an acces road, causing their own community to go without food and other necessities for long periods......reported by Wilson Luke in The Borneo Post on 24 October 2006

Road vital to our livelihood, say isolated villagers

Kuching: Residents of Long Lellang, Ulu Baram in Miri Division, Sarawak, are facing problems of inaccessibility in their delivery of daily supplies.....reported by Zora Chan in The Borneo Post on 22 October 2006

Do They Know What We Want?

While many claim to champion the "plight" of the Penans, not many have bothered to find out what actually bothers them, writes Firdaus Abdullah of the New Sunday Times

Regional Consultations on MC&I(Forest Plantations)

The regional consultation for Sarawak to deliberate on the draft Malaysian Criteria and Indicators for Forest Management Certification (Forest Plantations) or in short MC&I(Forest Plantations) was held in Kuching on 18-19 September 2006 (see details in Latest News item dated 24 July 2006).

The Joint Project Between MTCC and The City of Hamburg, Germany on MC&I(2002)

A joint project between MTCC and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (FHH), Germany or in short the MTCC-Hamburg project which commenced on 1 June 2006 for a two-year period until 31 May 2008 is one of the outcomes of the Malaysian Timber Certification Mission to Europe which took place on 1-10 June 2002.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Development of Malaysian Criteria and Indicators for Forest Management Certification (Forest Plantations)

This is to inform all stakeholders that a 12-member Technical Working Group (TWG) comprising representatives from multi-stakeholder groups, i.e. environmental, social, economic and relevant government agencies, nominated during respective regional consultations in Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, have been formed...

First Timber Company in Sabah Awarded MTCC Certificate for Chain-of-Custody

Carl Ronnow (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. has become the first timber company in Sabah to be awarded the MTCC Certificate for Chain-of-Custody (COC 090) on 14 June 2006.

Implementation of New Institutional Arrangement for MTCC Scheme

As an important measure to further strengthen and enhance the acceptance of the MTCC scheme in the international market, the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) will be implementing a number of activities to establish a new institutional arrangement for the MTCC scheme.

MTCC CERTIFICATES ACCEPTED UNDER THE NETHERLANDS KEURHOUT PROTOCOL FOR LEGAL ORIGIN

Seven Forest Management Units (FMUs) and 24 timber companies holding the MTCC certificates have been accepted under the Keurhout Protocol for Legal Origin in The Netherlands (as at February 2006). With this acceptance, MTCC-certified timber products originating from these FMUs and exported by these companies are allowed to carry the Keurhout Legal Timber logo.

EU Parliament Recognition for PEFC

The European Parliament considers PEFC and FSC certification systems to be equally suitable in providing consumers with assurances of sustainable forest management.

DANISH COMPANY NEPCon BECOMES FIRST OVERSEAS-BASED ASSESSOR TO BE REGISTERED WITH MTCC

MTCC had in 2004 amended its procedures to allow applications for the registration of overseas-based assessors under its timber certification scheme. Following this development, MTCC has recently approved the registration of NEPCon (Nature, Ecology and People Consult), a company based in Denmark as the first overseas-based independent assessor for chain-of-custody certification.

Asia Plywood Company Sdn. Bhd. - Certificate for Chain-of-Custody No.63

Following the follow-up visit by the independent assessor, SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd., on 14 September 2005 to verify the corrective actions taken by Asia Plywood Company Sdn. Bhd. (APC) to comply with the Requirements and Assessment Procedures for Chain-of-Custody Certification (RAP/COC), this is to inform that the assessor was satisfied that APC had taken the appropriate corrective actions and therefore has closed out the major Corrective Action Requests (CARs) raised during the surveillance visit on 11-12 August 2005.

MTIB-MTCC's response to Greenpeace International's report ''Missing Links''

Following the report entitled ‘Missing Links’ by Greenpeace International, a team from the Enforcement Unit of the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) conducted investigations on 3 and 6 June 2005, as well as on 19 and 25 July 2005, on the allegation of import of Indonesian timber at Sritama Jetty and the delivery of this imported timber to Victory Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. (VESB).

Asia Plywood Company Sdn. Bhd.- Certificate for Chain-of-Custody No.63

Following MTCC’s earlier Press Release dated 3 August 2005 on the above matter, this is to inform that a surveillance visit on Asia Plywood Company Sdn. Bhd. (APC) was conducted by two auditors from the independent assessor, SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd. (SIRIM QAS) on 11 and 12 August 2005.

Asia Plywood Company Sdn. Bhd.- Certificate for Chain-of-Custody No.63

The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) wishes to announce that Asia Plywood Company Sdn. Bhd., holder of Certificate for Chain-of-Custody No. 063, has been directed to cease describing its plywood as “MTCC-certified” with effect from 29 July 2005, until further notice.

Samling Response to NGOs - Finalised

Samling regrets the recent reports by certain NGOs concerning SFM and forest certification in the Sela’an-Linau forest management unit.

Information Update: Implementation of The MTCC Certification Scheme

MTCC has been operating its timber certification scheme since October 2001 using the Malaysian Criteria, Indicators, Activities and Standards of Performance for Forest Management Certification [MC&I(2001)] as its forest management standard and the Requirements and Assessment Procedures for Chain-of-Custody Certification (RAP/COC) for chain-of-custody certification.

Information Update - Sela’an Linau FMU

The Sela’an-Linau Forest Management Unit (FMU) is the first FMU in Sarawak to be awarded the Certificate for Forest Management under the MTCC timber certification scheme. The Certificate is awarded to Samling Plywood (Baramas) Sdn. Bhd., the company which manages the Sela’an-Linau FMU.

Sela'an Linau FMU first to be MTCC-certified in Sarawak

The Sela’an Linau Forest Management Unit (FMU) has become the first FMU in Sarawak, and the ninth in Malaysia, to be certified under the MTCC timber certification scheme. It is also the first FMU which is managed by a private company. The certification of the Sela’an Linau FMU therefore represents another important milestone for the MTCC certification scheme.

ASSESSMENT OF MTCC SCHEME BY UK GOVERNMENT

MTCC has taken note of the News Release dated 9 November 2004 issued by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) concerning the announcement by the Environment Minister Elliot Morley of a report on the assessment of five forest certification schemes, including the MTCC scheme, as part of the UK Government’s efforts to buy legally harvested timber from sustainably managed forests.

National Consultation on the Review of RAP/COC held in Kuala Lumpur

The current standard for chain-of-custody certification used by the MTCC timber certification scheme since it started its operation in December 2001, the Requirements and Assessment Procedures for Chain-of-Custody Certification or RAP/COC document (dated 3 November 2000), was recently revised. The new document, referred to as the Requirements for Chain-of-Custody Certification (RCOC), will be the standard used for chain-of-custody certification of wood processing or trading companies under the MTCC scheme beginning January 2006. However, it is envisaged that assessments using the RCOC can be carried out on a voluntary basis, after April 2005.

REGIONAL FIELD TESTING OF MC&I(2002) COMPLETED, 1 June 2004

The MC&I(2002), which was finalized and adopted by consensus at the multi-stakeholder National-level Consultation held on 28-30 October 2002, has now been field tested in the three regions of Malaysia, i.e. Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak. MTCC will be using this standard for the next phase of its timber certification scheme beginning 2005. The decision to field-test the MC&I(2002), which is based on the Principles and Criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), was made at the National-level Consultation. This decision was subsequently endorsed by the National Steering Committee (NSC) at its 6th Meeting. The field-tests involved a thorough evaluation of the MC&I(2002) to assess its practical application in assessing Forest Management Units (FMUs) for the purpose of timber certification.

Field-Test of MC&I (2002)

NOTIFICATION ON USE OF MC&I (2002) BY MTCC SCHEME, 1 April 2004

The MTCC timber certification scheme, which began operation in October 2001, is being implemented using a phased approach. The certification standard currently used for assessing Forest Management Units (FMUs) is the Malaysian Criteria, Indicators, Activities and Standards of Performance for Forest Management Certification dated 4 October 2001 [MC&I(2001)], which is based on the ITTO Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests.

MTCC INVITES PROPOSALS FOR ITS REVIEW ON REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES FOR CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY CERTIFICATION (RAP/COC)

The document entitled Requirements and Assessment Procedures for Chain-of-Custody Certification (RAP/COC) and dated 3 November 2000 is the key document related to chain-of-custody (CoC) certification. The RAP/COC can be downloaded from MTCC's website (see under the heading Documents. The RAP/COC sets out the requirements and assessment procedures for CoC certification and has been used as the basis for assessments for CoC certification under the MTCC timber certification scheme. It also provides the necessary information to companies interested in obtaining CoC certification from MTCC as well as auditors in carrying out CoC assessments.

MTCC’S RESPONSE TO GREENPEACE INTERNATIONAL’S LEAFLET DATED JANUARY 2004

The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) notes with regret that Greenpeace International has chosen the occasion of the 7th Meeting of the Conference of Parties on Biological Diversity (COP7) to continue its attempts to dismiss the serious and substantive efforts of the stakeholder groups involved in the various consultations related to the implementation of timber certification in Malaysia, by denouncing the MTCC as “sustainable certification imposters”.

DANISH GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS MTCC SCHEME

In a recent move, the Danish Ministry of the Environment has included the MTCC timber certification scheme as one of the accepted schemes in its Environmental Guidelines for Purchasing Tropical Timber. The Guidelines have been published by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the Danish Forest and Nature Agency, and is the result of deliberation of a steering group comprising the Danish Government, NGOs, trade and industry. The aim of the Guidelines is to make it easier for public and semi-public organisations to ensure that the tropical timber they purchase is produced in a sustainable and legal manner. These Guidelines will also be of use to private institutions and individuals.

MORE FOREST AREAS AND TIMBER COMPANIES CERTIFIED

Another four State forest management units (FMUs), namely Johor, Kedah, Perak and Negeri Sembilan, were recently awarded the Certificate for Forest Management by the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) under its timber certification scheme. The Certificate provides the assurance of legal and sustainable source. Since the operation of the MTCC scheme in October 2001 using a phased approach, all the eight timber producing States in Peninsular Malaysia, with a total of 4.74 million hectares of permanent reserved forest, have been assessed against the Malaysian Criteria, Indicators, Activities and Standards of Performance for Forest Management Certification (MC&I), which is based on the ITTO Criteria and Indicators.

MTCC To use New FSC-Compatible MC&I by January 2005, 26 August

The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) Board of Trustees at its 19th meeting held on 31 July 2003 decided to use the new standard (MC&I), that has been developed using the Principles and Criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) as the template, for the next phase of the MTCC certification scheme beginning January 2005.