KUCHING: The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and Sarawak Timber Association (STA) announced the commencement of the 6th Environmental Compliance Audit
(ECA) training, marking a significant milestone in Sarawak’s journey towards self-regulation and sustainable environmental practices.
STA chief executive officer Annie Ting emphasised the significant progress made since the first ECA training organised by NREB and STA in 2015. Over the years, five successful training sessions have resulted in 111 qualified auditors.
She highlighted an ongoing effort between NREB and STA, which is to review the specific Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) issued with approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports for projects in the forestry sector.
“Jack Liam, the Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak, commended STA’s unwavering dedication to rallying industry support for this crucial government initiative and in preparing its members for self-regulated compliance,” it said through a statement on Monday (June 10).
He highlighted the collaborative efforts with NREB that have been vital in transitioning from Environmental Monitoring Reports (EMR) to ECA, which is set to be fully implemented for the forestry sector by July 1, with other sectors following in 2025.
He added that the NREB will continue enforcement activities to ensure full compliance and environmental protection.
“Therefore, as a continuation of this effort, a 6th ECA training, which also attracted 30 participants from the timber industry, is the inaugural session whereby it is eligible for claims under Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp),” it said.
This sets a new standard for future training programmes offered by STA’s training arm, STA Training Sdn Bhd (STAT), which aims to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct effective audits, directly contributing to the conservation of the environment.
“STAT is planning additional ECA training sessions to broaden participation and build capacity within the industry. In collaboration with NREB, these efforts aim to promote a
greener, more sustainable Sarawak, and this training initiative is a testament to their proactive approach and collaborative efforts in achieving this goal,” it said.
“STAT is exploring organising other supporting courses, with strong emphasis on managing the forests sustainably.”
Also present at the launching are representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, Forest Department Sarawak, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation, Harwood Timber Sdn Bhd, Land Custody and Development Authority, Yayasan Sarawak and ECA Trainers, namely Peter Sawal and Justine Jok Jau Emang.
