DoE’s environmental professional certification programme produces 10,353 competent persons

PUTRAJAYA: As many as 10,353 competent persons (OYB) have been produced through the Environmental Professional Certification programme to date, said Environment directorgeneral Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar.

Wan Abdul Latiff said the increase in the number of OYB reflects the industry’s commitment to incorporating environmental management into mainstream practices in a more excellent and sustainable direction.

“This certification covers water pollution control, air pollution mitigation, management of scheduled waste, and environmental impact assessment for industries and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) project drivers,” he said in a statement issued by the Department of Environment (DoE) Wednesday in conjunction with the Symposium on the Golden Jubilee of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127).

The symposium brought together 650 participants from various industrial backgrounds.

The Environmental Professional Certification Programme, organised by the Environment Institute, issues certificates authorised by the Director-General of Environment, to qualified individuals for managing pollution control system operations or scheduled waste management.

As part of the programme modules, candidates must sit for written and practical examinations, attend interview sessions to assess their understanding, participate in certification courses, and prepare field training reports according to the prescribed format.

Emphasising the importance of OYB at premises, as stipulated under Section 49A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127), Wan Abdul Latiff underscored the industry’s pivotal role in environmental preservation and conservation, particularly in enforcing selfcompliance measures at their respective premises.

He emphasised the need to prioritise the environmental agenda and institutionalise its importance in the operations of every company.

“This agenda should be practised by the highest management first to set an example for other management groups with the ultimate aim of institutionalising environmental preservation and conservation at all levels,” he said.

Act 127 was enacted to prevent, eliminate, control pollution, and restore the environment for related purposes.