Malaysia is working towards an EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT VPA), which will give licensed timber a ‘green light’ into the EU without the need for further due diligence risk assessment under the terms of the EUTR.
However, until the VPA is concluded, Malaysian timber will have to be subject to the due diligence process like timber first placed placed on the EU market from other sources.
According to the MTC, the MYTLAS was devised in the interim to "ensure an uninterrupted flow of wood products to the EU", providing a "credible domestic systm to verify the legality of Malaysian wood products".
The scheme is subject to annual third party audit. The MYTLAS licensing authority for Peninsular Malaysia will be the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), while in Sabah it will be implemented by the state’s Forestry Department. Sarawak will be phased into the scheme at a later date.
Malaysian Timber Council London director Sheam Satkuru-Granzella said that MYTLAS tests are currently under way with exports from Peninsular Malaysia, and will start on Sabah shipments shortly.
She added that initial feedback to the MYTLAS from EU companies had been positive, with comments that it helped them meet their EUTR due diligence requirements.
The MYTLAS leaflet can be obtained in hard copy or PDF from the MTC. Telephone 44 ( 0) 207 222 8188.
