KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 — A total of 4.89 million hectares (ha), or 86.47 per cent of palm oil cultivation areas in Malaysia, have received certification under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standard as of December 31, 2024, demonstrating Malaysia’s commitment to sustainability.
Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin said that commitment towards MSPO certification enhances the credibility and visibility of Malaysian sustainable palm oil in the international market and ensures compliance with increasingly stringent global regulations.
He elaborated that this includes the European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR), which will take effect on December 30, 2025, for players in the palm oil industry and by June 30, 2026, for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“A gap analysis study comparing the MSPO 2.0 certification scheme with the EUDR legislation, conducted by the European Forest Institute (EFI), found that MSPO certification has the potential to facilitate European Union (EU) operators’ compliance with the EUDR.
“The results of this study also provide guidance for adjusting MSPO certification to meet the additional information requirements of the EUDR,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.
Chan was responding to Senator Datin Ros Suryani Alang’s question about the extent to which the country’s palm oil output is strong as a sustainable, high-quality product recognised globally.
Additionally, he said the recognition of the MSPO certificate in the International Trade Centre (ITC) Sustainability Map in 2024 further strengthens Malaysia’s commitment to producing sustainable palm oil.
“The official listing of MSPO certification in the ITC Sustainability Map not only solidifies its position as an internationally recognised sustainability certification but also enhances the visibility of MSPO among global buyers and trade organisations,” he added.
— Bernama
