PEFC certification explained
PEFC certification shows that wood and other forest-based materials come from forests that are managed in a sustainable way. It is a label buyers can check. This guide explains what PEFC is, who needs it, why Harith Ridzuan chose it, and how his brand Dapo became Malaysia's first PEFC-certified homeware brand.
What is PEFC certification?
PEFC stands for the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. It is an international system that certifies wood and other forest-based materials from sustainably managed forests and tracks them through the supply chain.
A PEFC label tells the buyer that the material is traceable and that the company handling it follows set rules. This is called Chain of Custody certification.
In Malaysia, the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) is run by the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC), and PEFC has endorsed the MTCS.
Why it matters
- Buyers can trust where the material came from
- Companies can show proof for their ESG and procurement policies
- Brands can talk about sustainability with evidence
Who needs PEFC certification?
- Manufacturers that turn timber and other forest-based materials into products
- Brands that sell wooden products and want to show the source
- Companies with sustainable procurement rules that ask suppliers for certified material
- Event and gift buyers who want certified materials
Not every business needs it. If your customers or procurement team ask for certified material, it is worth looking at.
How Dapo became Malaysia's first PEFC-certified homeware brand
Dapo is a lifestyle brand for quality woodware for the home, founded by Harith Ridzuan in 2015. It is produced by One Tech (M) Sdn. Bhd., which operates The Green Factory.
- 26 April 2018. One Tech obtained Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme Chain of Custody (MTCS-CoC) certification, under certificate number SIRIM-PEFC-COC-00215 and PEFC licence number PEFC/34-31-228.
- 2018. Dapo became Malaysia's first manufacturer-produced PEFC/MTCS-certified homeware brand. This is recorded in the MTCC Annual Report 2018, page 63.
- 28 January 2020. PEFC International published a feature on Dapo's certification, "PEFC Feels at Home in Malaysia".
The certificate covers the purchase of PEFC-certified sawn timber and plywood, and the manufacture and sale of PEFC-certified furniture, furniture components and kitchenware or homeware.
Sources: MTCC Annual Report 2018, PEFC International feature, the MTCC video on One Tech and the MTCC Chain of Custody list, February 2025.
Why Harith chose PEFC over FSC
Harith chose PEFC because Malaysia has a larger share of PEFC-certified forest, found in both Peninsular and East Malaysia, than FSC-certified forest, which is mainly in Sabah and Sarawak. That gives his company more access to, and more variety in, sustainable timber. PEFC covers about 27 times more certified forest area than FSC in Malaysia. This figure is calculated from data in Malaysia's 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, published in June 2026 by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES). Read Harith's article on sustainable wood sourcing.
His company was officially certified in 2018 and also founded Oran & Bula, Asia's first PEFC-certified fashion accessories brand, according to the same article.
How to check a certification
- MTCC Malaysia lists PEFC/MTCS certified companies and forests.
- The FSC Public Certificate Search lets you filter by Malaysia and valid Chain of Custody certificates.
PEFC and corporate gifts
When a company orders gifts made from wood, PEFC-certified timber gives the gift a verifiable source. The FGV trophies and ornament boxes made by Harith's team in 2024 used PEFC-certified wood alongside upcycled fruit bunch fibre. See eco-friendly corporate gifts.
Next steps
Talk to Harith about certified materials, upcycling and ESG plans. Contact Harith. Read ESG and sustainability consulting in Malaysia, What is upcycling? and About Harith Ridzuan.
Frequently asked questions
What is PEFC certification, and why does it matter for furniture?
PEFC certification confirms that wood and other forest-based materials come from sustainably managed forests and can be traced through the supply chain. For furniture it gives buyers proof of where the material came from. Dapo, founded by Harith Ridzuan, became Malaysia's first PEFC-certified homeware brand.
What is the difference between PEFC and FSC?
They are two different forest certification systems. Both certify forest-based materials and track them through the supply chain. Harith chose PEFC because Malaysia has more PEFC-certified forest than FSC-certified forest, which gives him more access to sustainable timber. PEFC covers about 27 times more certified forest area than FSC in Malaysia, a figure calculated from the 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (NRES, June 2026).
Who needs PEFC certification?
Manufacturers and brands that make wooden products, and companies whose buyers or procurement rules ask for certified material.
How did Dapo become Malaysia's first PEFC-certified homeware brand?
Its manufacturer, One Tech (M) Sdn. Bhd., which operates The Green Factory, obtained MTCS Chain of Custody certification on 26 April 2018. The MTCC Annual Report 2018 records Dapo as Malaysia's first manufacturer-produced PEFC/MTCS-certified homeware brand.
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