Kuala Lumpur: A total of 4.89 million hectares, which represents 86.47 percent of palm oil cultivation areas in Malaysia, have been certified under the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) standard as of December 31, 2024. This significant achievement underscores Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to sustainability in its palm oil industry.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin highlighted that the pursuit of MSPO certification not only boosts the credibility and visibility of Malaysian sustainable palm oil on the global stage but also ensures adherence to increasingly stringent international regulations. This includes the European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR), which will be enforced starting December 30, 2025, for industry players and by June 30, 2026, for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Chan further explained that a gap analysis study conducted by the European Forest Institute (EFI) compared the MSPO 2.0 certification scheme with the EUDR legislation. The study concluded that MSPO certification could aid European Union (EU) operators in complying with the EUDR. The study’s findings also provide guidance on adapting MSPO certification to fulfill the additional information requirements of the EUDR.

During a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara, Chan was addressing a query from Senator Datin Ros Suryani Alang regarding the strength of Malaysia’s palm oil output as a globally recognized sustainable, high-quality product.

Additionally, Chan noted that the recognition of the MSPO certificate in the International Trade Centre (ITC) Sustainability Map in 2024 further bolsters Malaysia’s dedication to producing sustainable palm oil. He emphasized that the official listing of MSPO certification in the ITC Sustainability Map not only affirms its status as an internationally acknowledged sustainability certification but also enhances the visibility of MSPO among global buyers and trade organizations.