Firstly MFCC holds overall responsibility for Certificaiton Standard setting processes and related activities. Currently, the  Myanmar Timber Legality Assurance System (MTLAS) is operational. Furthermore it also has two draft SFM Standards (natural and plantation forests) that have undergone extensive stakeholder consultation. And it will be approved in the next few months.

Additionally MFCC was developing Myanmar Criteria and Indicators (C&I) for natural forest management certification in 2007. It based on ITTO’s 2005 Criteria and Indicators for SFM of tropical forests. Moreover it was carrying out development and revisions following national stakeholder consultation in accordance with its standard setting procedures. And it is also finalising and developing these  C&Is and also  the C&Is for plantation forests soon.

Myanmar Forest Certification Committee (MFCC) was developing the Myanmar Timber Legality Assurance System (MTLAS) in 2013. It was based on the ASEAN Criteria and Indicators for Legality of Timber. On the other hand independent third party Certification Bodies (CB) are carrying out compliance against MTLAS. Moreover, MFCC also demands that CBs demonstrate a commitment towards achieving accreditation against ISO/IEC 17065  and ISO 19011:2011.

Moreover, MFCC is currently in the process of developing a Chain of Custody (CoC) to ensure forest produce to track back to certified forests. This mechanism is in fact integral to MFCC achieving its goal of PEFC endorsement of the Myanmar SFM system. And additionally, a robust CoC will form a critical part of all MFCC Standards. It also ensure any product claims are credible and verifiable. Moreover, for PEFC endorsed certificates, it will allow companies to use the PEFC logo on products.

Through its partnership with PEFC International, MFCC has set aside significant resources to create a digital platform that can be used by interested parties such as retailers, NGOs and Government. They can verify and track a range of SFM and timber legality related certificates.  The platform will allow the tracking of certificates issued to supply chain entities (such as forest management units and sawmills), Certification Bodies and actual consignments of product. In addition the vision is to allow entities and Certification Bodies to upload information and data themselves. The main target is to have the system fully operational by the middle of 2020.

In the meantime MFCC will publish registers of Certified entities, consignments and Certification Bodies, update these registers monthly, and make all information available on the MFCC website.

Above all MFCC is committed to ensuring that auditing against its Standard(s)to carry out to the highest international standards by independent and impartial third party Certification Bodies. To achieve this, MFCC demands Certification Bodies to comply with a range of minimum requirements. In addition key selection criteria include not only satisfactory completion of a range of its auditor trainings, but also to demonstrate a measurable and time-bound commitment towards achieving  ISO accreditation against ISO Standards including ISO 17065: 2012.

Currently MFCC have assessed the four Certification Bodies below as competent by based upon the minimum requirements set out in MFCC's Policy 5 Certification Body Requirements.

All MFCC Certification Body details will be updated monthly in the following register.