Technology · Singapore Bureau
APP denies green label suspension amid supplier fire concerns
Indonesian pulp and paper giant Asia Pulp & Paper has clarified that restrictions placed on its environmental certification are not a full suspension, though it has not provided a timeline for their removal. The Singapore Environment Council imposed the restrictions following links between three of APP's wood-fibre suppliers and fires in Indonesia that blanketed Singapore in haze.
LSN Singapore ·
The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) issued the restriction on its green label for APP products on Sunday, citing environmental concerns related to the company's supply chain. The move followed investigations linking three of APP's wood-fibre suppliers to fires in Indonesian forests, which contributed to transboundary haze that affected air quality across the region, including Singapore.
APP responded to the measure by distinguishing between a full suspension and the imposed restrictions, asserting that the label remains available under certain conditions. The company's statement suggested the certification has not been entirely withdrawn, though specific details on what those conditions entail were not disclosed.
The environmental certification restriction represents pressure on major regional suppliers to strengthen oversight of their sourcing practices. Forest fires in Indonesia have repeatedly triggered haze episodes across Southeast Asia, prompting regulators and environmental bodies to hold companies accountable for their supply chain management.
APP has not indicated when or under what circumstances the restrictions might be lifted. The clarification from the company comes as environmental scrutiny of large-scale pulp and paper operations in Southeast Asia continues to intensify, particularly regarding land management and fire prevention protocols among suppliers.