Malaysia moves to secure low-risk status under EU deforestation rules

New Straits Times

22-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is rolling out coordinated strategies to secure its status as a low-risk country under the EU's deforestation rules, with efforts spanning forest monitoring, regulatory compliance, and sustainable land management.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said one of the key strategies is coordinating the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) across multiple ministries and agencies.
These include forest data management, enforcement and sustainable forest governance, he said.
The European Union will by June 30 unveil the much anticipated "country benchmarking system" under the EUDR.
It will divide countries into one of three tiers: "low", "standard" or "high" risk, with escalating due diligence and compliance obligations aimed at minimising EU's contributions to global deforestation and forest degradation.
It requires seven commodities and their derivatives — cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soyabean and wood — entering the EU market to be deforestation-free, legally produced and covered by a due diligence statement.
Johari (BN–Titiwangsa) said that his ministry is also working to ensure that Malaysia's agri-commodity products exported to the EU meet EUDR requirements through the adoption of sustainable certification schemes such as the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification Scheme, the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme, and the Malaysian Sustainable Natural Rubber Guidelines.
"Relevant issues that may affect the accuracy of Malaysia's latest forest data submitted for the Global Forest Resources Assessment report to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, which is used in the EUDR risk classification process, are also discussed," he said in a written parliamentary reply.
Johari also said recommendations would be submitted to the government regarding compliance measures that need to be implemented by the relevant ministries and agencies.
"These strategies reflect our proactive efforts to ensure Malaysia is classified as a low-risk country and demonstrate the Ministry's commitment to keeping the country's agri-commodity products competitive in the EU market," he said.
He was responding to Datuk Willie Mongin (GPS–Puncak Borneo), who had asked about the country's response to the EUDR framework and the ministry's strategies to ensure Malaysia achieves low-risk status.
Last month, the government formed a Special Committee to spearhead the country's response to the EUDR, aiming to ensure continued access to the EU market and strengthen sustainability compliance across key export sectors.
Chaired by Johari, the committee involves three key ministries, including the Plantation and Commodities Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, as well as the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.
Their respective secretaries general will co-chair the working committee.
The committee will also act as the central channel for Malaysia's engagement with the European Commission, including the submission of official datasets, policy updates and participation in technical exchanges.