The MyHIJAU Mark is Malaysia’s official green recognition of environmentally sound products and services initiated and endorsed by the Government of Malaysia. The Mark brings together certified green products and services that meet local and international environmental standards under one single mark. The criteria for the Mark have been designed taking into consideration not just health and environmental sustainability but also economic feasibility. They are specifically tailored to conditions in Malaysia to ensure that local products and services can actually comply. Companies, which fulfill the requirements and register their products and services, benefit in turn from diverse government incentives, such as Government Green Procurement (GGP) tenders. GreenTech Malaysia, as a not-for-profit organisation under the purview of the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change (MESTECC) of Malaysia, is responsible for the promotion, business advice, verification and monitoring of certified green products and services under the label.
Electric mopeds whirring around the streets of Malaysia are just one example of a certified product. While the vehicles are not yet widely purchased by private companies and private consumers, they are being used in fleets of fast food chains and public authorities, such as the police. Indeed, the state is currently the eco label’s biggest advocate. Malaysia has initiated a Government Green Procurement programme in 2013 as the public sector accounts for about 15% of Malaysia’s GDP. Through a lead-by-example from Malaysian authorities, GreenTech Malaysia hopes that the programme would have a trickle-down effect to influence the private sector, creating both supply and demand in the local market.
