PEFC Endorsement of MTCS

PEFC recognition of the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme

CPET is pleased to learn of the endorsement of the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC).

It is important to note that PEFC’s endorsement of the MTCS relates to revised scheme requirements which have not yet been fully implemented. Recognition of the MTCS by both PEFC and CPET is conditional on the full implementation of these revised requirements.

CPET's 2008 review of the MTCS found that it could be accepted as evidence of legality and sustainability once two key requirements were fully implemented.  These are:

• All certified FMUs are certified against the certification standard MC&I (2002)

• Revised institutional arrangements for certification and accreditation, whereby forest management and CoC certificates are issued only by certification bodies that have been accredited under the specific accreditation programme for MTCS certification. 

The full announcement note and the final 2008 report with annexes can be found in the documents section here.

PEFC has now endorsed the MTCS scheme with the same requirements of those set out by CPET as outlined above.  No MTCS certificates currently fulfill these requirements, and MTCC estimates that it will be towards the end of 2009 before some accredited certificates are issued, and therefore that any MTCS-certified products will be eligible to carry the PEFC logo.

Therefore, for the purpose of the UK Government's procurement policy, existing MTCS certificates are not currently acceptable as evidence of legality and sustainability.  Only products certified under that revised requirements (which are also eligible to carry the PEFC logo) will be accepted as evidence of legality and sustainability.