FSC & MTCS surveillance audit for Gerak Saga
2022-02-25
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) uses a voluntary, market-based system by which forestry companies such as Gerak Saga are audited against using a set of criteria and principles. According to the FSC, these principles encompass environmental, social and economic values which ensure that forests are managed sustainably. MTCS serves the purpose of fulfilling the growing demand for sustainably sourced timber products in Malaysia, while also persevering the country’s rich natural rainforests. The traceability of products is ensured by FSC, emphasising the Chain of Custody (CoC) which is essentially ensuring transparency from the point of harvest to the point of sale.
Gerak Saga, underwent a FSC and MTCS surveillance audit on the 25th January 2022, wherein five third party auditors from Control Union inspected the company to ensure that standards following initial certification are maintained. If the company is found to not comply with set principles, they may risk having their certification revoked. Gerak Saga proudly continues to comply with FSC and MTCS.
Forest Solutions also carries out extensive first-party and second-party internal audits which are geared towards meeting international and national standards for forestry management. Various departments such as Conservation, Community Development and individuals like Foresters and Contractors in the field are required to examine their processes on a regular basis.
Knowing exactly where timber products come from can help buyers make better and more sustainable choices with their timber suppliers. FSC certification provides a competitive advantage in global timber markets, whose principles closely align with that of FSMs.
Many thanks to Control Union, and to the auditors who visited our site in Kota Marudu last month in January for this year’s FSC and MTCS surveillance audit.
