Sabah timber industry updating with EU compliance, says Chief Conservator

Sabah is updating its Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) to meet the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (EU CS3D) Directive, thereby boosting the global credibility of its timber products.

This initiative was highlighted during the two-day Stakeholder Consultation Workshop held in Kota Kinabalu starting on Wednesday (Nov 6), marking a key milestone in the ongoing partnership between the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) and the European Union.

At the workshop, SFD Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan said that Sabah is committed to promoting responsible forest management.

"Sabah is committed to enhancing the credibility of our timber products on the global stage, but we must also be realistic and pragmatic in our approach, given that we are still a developing country.

Aligning Sabah TLAS with EUDR requirements is a testament to our dedication to promoting responsible forest management practices and ensuring compliance with international standards," he said.

The workshop, attended by key stakeholders from various government agencies, timber associations, and the EU delegation, highlighted the importance of maintaining sustainable timber production while combating global deforestation.

Sabah continues to lead efforts to preserve its forests, with 63% of the state’s land area under forest cover, and plans to designate 30%, approximately 2.2mil hectares, as Totally Protected Areas by 2025.

During the session, experts from the EU-Malaysia Cooperation Facility presented the updated mapping of the Sabah TLAS to align with EU regulations, focusing on critical issues such as forest conversion, waste management, worker safety, wages, and traceability.

Discussions also covered the vital topic of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), which is essential for Sabah’s continued commitment to sustainability and legal compliance.

The updated TLAS will enable Sabah to meet evolving EU market requirements, facilitating access to the world’s largest trade bloc.

In 2022, the EU accounted for 15% of global trade and became Malaysia’s fourth-largest export destination.

The ongoing partnership and the Sabah TLAS update are expected to be completed by May 2025, with the EU’s continued support bolstering Sabah’s capacity to meet global timber industry standards.

This initiative reflects Sabah’s proactive role in combating climate change and advancing a sustainable, legally compliant timber industry that is well-positioned for future growth in the international market.