KUCHING: Oil palm plantations as well as the quarry and mining sectors have been urged to prepare for the implementation of the Environmental Compliance Audit (ECA).
A joint statement by the Natural Resources and Environment Board’s (NREB) and Sarawak Timber Association (STA) said the Board had made ECA mandatory for all forestry projects in the state starting July last year.
The requirement replaced the submission of quarterly Environmental Monitoring Reports, ensuring a more structured and proactive approach to compliance.
“Building on this progress, a similar pilot project for the oil palm plantations, quarry and mining sectors will commence in July this year with full implementation by Jan 1, 2027, reinforcing environmental accountability across sectors.
“Thus, oil palm plantations and quarry and mining companies are urged to send their relevant officers to training in order to prepare for the pilot project and full ECA implementation,” it said.
It added the implementation of ECA has strengthened corporate responsibility by requiring companies to proactively assess their compliance with the terms and conditions outlined in their Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan approvals.
“This approach not only ensures continued adherence to environmental regulations but also facilitates early identification and rectification of non-compliance issues, promoting sustainable resource management and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility,” it said.
To support the transition, it added NREB appointed STA Training Sdn Bhd as the official training provider for the ECA Training Course.
The course, it said, equips potential auditors with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct ECA effectively.
“Successful completion of the course is one of the key competencies required to qualify as an NREB Registered Environmental Auditor,” it said.
Meanwhile, to enhance environmental compliance and risk assessment in project development, NREB introduced the Natural Resources and Environment (Audit) Rules, 2008, which were gazetted on Dec 31, 2008 and came into force on Jan 1, 2013.
The Rules aim to improve regulatory adherence, mitigate environmental risks and promote self-regulation among project proponents.
A key milestone in the implementation of these rules was the successful implementation of two batches of pilot projects under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NREB, STA and its 13 participating companies.
Completed in 2023, these pilot projects demonstrated the effectiveness of the ECA framework and confirmed the forestry sector’s readiness for full implementation.
Following this achievement, NREB made ECA mandatory for all forestry projects in Sarawak starting July 1 last year.
For further information, contact STA Training at 082-332222 or email stat-training@sta.org.my.
