The credentials of timber and timber‑based products certified under Malaysia’s PEFC‑endorsed scheme have been confirmed as meeting the requirements of one of the world’s most rigorous procurement systems, the Netherlands’ independent Timber Procurement Assessment Committee (TPAC) has found.
In an official letter dated 6 November 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management conveyed TPAC’s definitive finding to PEFC International. The committee’s work culminated in a report titled “Final Judgement Detailed Research MTCS,” which the minister has received and formally endorsed.
TPAC’s assessment combined a detailed desk study, stakeholder consultations, and an on-site verification mission in Sarawak and Perak, conducted from 12 to 19 February 2025. The committee concluded that both PEFC International and the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) comply with the requirements of the Dutch Timber Procurement Assessment System (TPAS) and advised the ministry to maintain PEFC’s admitted status under the Dutch Timber Procurement Policy. The ministry has acted on that advice, reaffirming MTCS‑certified timber as acceptable for Dutch public procurement.
Environmental groups had been calling on the Sarawak Government to “conduct an impartial review of forestry operations,” with its FSC and PEFC certification coming under scrutiny. (Photo Credit: Stock Image from PxHere)
The review was commissioned in response to allegations raised by several non‑governmental organisations in 2022. TPAC’s findings, grounded in documentary evidence and field verification, form the basis of the Dutch government’s final determination and provide independent substantiation of MTCS’s operational integrity, the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) said in a statement.
MTCC described the decision as a “significant reaffirmation of international stakeholder confidence in the operational integrity, transparency, and robustness of MTCS as Malaysia’s national timber certification scheme.” The council said it valued insights from the field visit — noting that two TPAC members participated as observers — and pledged continued cooperation with PEFC International on measures for continual improvement.
By endorsing TPAC’s judgement, the Dutch government has reinforced the international standing of MTCS‑certified products and underscored Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable, legally verified and climate‑resilient timber supply chains for global markets. MTCC extended its appreciation to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands, TPAC and PEFC International for facilitating the objective and thorough review.
