Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Forestry Department (SFD), with support from the European Union-funded EU-Malaysia Cooperation Facility, held two Training of Industry workshops on the updated Sabah Timber Legality Assurance System (Sabah TLAS+) to prepare industry players for stricter international market requirements.
The workshops were held on Wednesday for stakeholders from Sandakan and Tawau, followed by a second session on Thursday involving participants from Kota Kinabalu, Keningau and Kudat, bringing together upstream and downstream players in the State’s timber industry.
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SFD Chief Conservator Datuk Frederick Kugan said the updated system is crucial to maintaining Sabah’s access to international markets.
“Sabah TLAS+ is critical to ensuring continued international market acceptance and enhancing the competitiveness of Sabah’s timber products, especially as global sustainability requirements become more stringent,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to the European Union and the EU-Malaysia Cooperation Facility for their technical and financial support in strengthening the State’s timber legality framework.
The workshops were officially opened by Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Zulkifli Suara, who delivered the opening and welcoming remarks.
The Training of Industry programme is part of Sabah’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its timber legality system in line with global regulations, including the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D).
The official launch of Sabah TLAS+ is targeted for early 2026. The system has been developed since June 2024 through technical discussions, industry consultations and mapping exercises to ensure compliance with international sustainability and legality standards.
Participants were briefed on key EUDR requirements, including Malaysian legality obligations, geolocation and traceability requirements, risk assessment and due diligence documentation.
The workshops also introduced the EU CS3D, which companies may adopt on a voluntary basis to manage human rights and environmental risks across their value chains.
SFD said strong industry participation and continuous improvement are essential to the success of Sabah TLAS+, adding that the State remains committed to sustainable forest management, responsible timber production and the preservation of forest resources as the system moves towards full implementation in 2026.
