Japan awards legal status to Sarawak's timber products

Sarawak Timber Association (STA) says timber and timber products imported from the state under the Sarawak Chain-of-Custody (Sarawak CoC) have earned legal status from Japan.

STA said the Forestry Agency of Japan and Council for Tackling Illegal Logging Issue have confirmed that the imports complied with the guidelines, besides recognising the verification method of Malaysian timber.

The Sarawak CoC is a comprehensive system that tracks the movement of logs in the state.

Sarawak's exports to Japan for the first half of 2010 were high and on an increasing trend since March due to the rising demand for eco-products.

Since Japan prefers recognised certified schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council, Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes, it is seen as crucial for Sarawak's trade in timber and wood products to gain certification.