Mandatory environmental compliance audit for forestry sector

KUCHING: The Sarawak Timber Association (STA) is proud to pioneer initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental stewardship within the forestry sector in conjunction with the upcoming implementation of mandatory Environmental Compliance Audit (ECA), effective July 1 this year.

The implementation of the mandatory ECA was previously announced by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan who is Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, said STA in a statement yesterday.

STA said it has consistently demonstrated its commitment by actively encouraging the forestry sector to uphold environmental regulations, particularly the Natural Resources and Environment (Audit) Rules 2008 as administered by Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB).

As part of its ongoing commitment to improving environmental stewardship, STA have been conducting a series of comprehensive Environmental Quality Monitoring (EQM) and ECA training sessions since 2015.

Its training arm, STA Training Sdn Bhd (STAT), in collaboration with NREB and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), has conducted training sessions on EQM from May 15 to 16, 2024 at Wisma STA here.

The training sessions had a turnout of 36 participants, representing various timber players from the industry.

“The sessions successfully provided participants with essential skills in water sampling protocols, equipment handling, and identification of potential contaminants affecting water quality,” said STA chief executive officer Annie Ting in the statement.

Another EQM training session is scheduled to be conducted from June 26 to 27 this year, aimed at equipping more timber players with the necessary knowledge and skills to smoothly transition into the actionable stage of ECA, she added.

Ting said individuals aspiring to become registered Environmental Auditors are required to fulfil the prerequisite of attending the ECA training course and registering with NREB.

This comprehensive ECA training course covers various audit methodologies and techniques essential for assessing environmental compliance, and participants will gain proficiency in understanding audit scope and process, as well as in planning and conducting on-site audits.

“Additionally, they will learn skills in data analysis and reporting findings. To meet this demand, STAT will offer the ECA training course in June 2024, providing participants with the requisite expertise to conduct comprehensive environmental audits,” Ting said.

Both EQM and ECA training courses are registered with HRD Corp and are claimable under the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), she pointed out.

Others present during the EQM training session were trainer Assoc Prof Dr Tay Meng Guan from Unimas, and NREB Environmental Control officer Halarry Nyambar.

Timber industry players interested in participating in EQM or ECA training courses can reach out to the STA Secretariat on 082-332222 for further information.

Additionally, they will learn skills in data analysis and reporting findings. To meet this demand, STAT will offer the ECA training course in June 2024, providing participants with the requisite expertise to conduct comprehensive environmental audits.

Annie Ting