Indonesian firm APP says green label restrictions are not a suspension, no timeline for them to be lifted

The Singapore Environment Council issued the restriction on Sunday after three of APP's wood-fibre suppliers were linked to fires in Indonesia that caused haze in Singapore.

Paseo tissue paper products certified under the enhanced Singapore Green Labelling Scheme. (Images: Singapore Green Labelling Scheme website)

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SINGAPORE: The temporary restriction on Asia Pulp and Paper's (APP) green certification is not a suspension, the Indonesian company said on Tuesday (Oct 20), a day after its certification was restricted by a non-profit environment organisation.

In response to CNA's queries, APP acknowledged the Singapore Environment Council's (SEC) notice on the use of its enhanced Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS+) certification in relation to three concession areas, or land that a company is allowed to use or develop.

"These restrictions do not constitute a suspension of APP’s SGLS+ certifications," said the company, which is behind paper product brands such as Paseo and Nice.

SEC issued the restriction on Sunday after three of APP's wood-fibre suppliers were linked to fires in Indonesia that caused haze in Singapore.

CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less The three suppliers – PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Bumi Andalas Permai and PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries – were also issued preventive measures notices by the National Environment Agency (NEA). Asked if it has a timeline for meeting the requirements for the restriction to be lifted, APP said the notice requires daily reporting "until further notice" from the SEC. From Wednesday, the company will be required to enhance monitoring and reporting on hotspot activity, fire-prevention measures, mitigation and suppression efforts and further actions being taken at the three concession areas. The reports will provide the SEC with regular updates on the status and locations of hotspots, the measures implemented to prevent and contain fires, the progress of on-the-ground response efforts and actions planned to minimise the risk of recurrence. "APP is working to fulfil these reporting requirements and will continue engaging with the relevant parties to support effective fire monitoring, prevention and response," the company said. The firm added that it takes SEC's concerns seriously and recognises the importance of strengthening oversight of fire prevention, preparedness and suppression measures. "We remain committed to working constructively with SEC to address the concerns raised and to maintaining transparency and accountability across our operations and supply chain," said APP. The company was previously linked to fires that led to severe haze in Singapore in 2015, and its products were pulled from shelves for around four years until it received certification from the SEC in 2019.

The three suppliers – PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Bumi Andalas Permai and PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries – were also issued preventive measures notices by the National Environment Agency (NEA).

Asked if it has a timeline for meeting the requirements for the restriction to be lifted, APP said the notice requires daily reporting "until further notice" from the SEC.

From Wednesday, the company will be required to enhance monitoring and reporting on hotspot activity, fire-prevention measures, mitigation and suppression efforts and further actions being taken at the three concession areas.

The reports will provide the SEC with regular updates on the status and locations of hotspots, the measures implemented to prevent and contain fires, the progress of on-the-ground response efforts and actions planned to minimise the risk of recurrence.

"APP is working to fulfil these reporting requirements and will continue engaging with the relevant parties to support effective fire monitoring, prevention and response," the company said.

The firm added that it takes SEC's concerns seriously and recognises the importance of strengthening oversight of fire prevention, preparedness and suppression measures.

"We remain committed to working constructively with SEC to address the concerns raised and to maintaining transparency and accountability across our operations and supply chain," said APP.

The company was previously linked to fires that led to severe haze in Singapore in 2015, and its products were pulled from shelves for around four years until it received certification from the SEC in 2019.

The three concessions currently linked to APP also received notices from the NEA in 2015.

SEC said that APP's certificate may be suspended if it fails to demonstrate that strengthened monitoring, fire prevention and suppression measures are implemented effectively.

"There is currently no specified timeline for the restrictions to be lifted. APP's immediate priority is to meet the reporting requirements, provide SEC with the necessary information and demonstrate progress in addressing the concerns raised," the company said.

APP added that it will work closely with the council and respond to further requirements as appropriate.

RETAILER MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS

FairPrice, which pulled APP products off supermarket shelves in 2015, said it is "closely monitoring developments".

In response to CNA's queries, a FairPrice Group spokesperson said the company takes responsible sourcing seriously and expects its suppliers to comply with applicable environmental regulations.

"We are closely monitoring developments related to the regional haze situation and have proactively engaged relevant suppliers to seek clarification on reported concerns and the measures being taken to address them," the spokesperson said.

FairPrice Group added that it will continue to assess credible information, including findings from the relevant authorities, and review the next steps as appropriate.

CNA has also reached out to other major supermarkets and retailers regarding the sale of APP products in their stores.

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新加坡环境理事会周日发布了这项限制措施，此前APP的三家木纤维供应商与印尼的火灾有关，这些火灾导致新加坡出现雾霾。

Paseo纸巾产品已通过新加坡绿色标签计划的升级认证。（图片来源：新加坡绿色标签计划网站）

这段音频是由人工智能工具生成的。

新加坡：印尼亚洲浆纸业公司（APP）周二（10月20日）表示，对其绿色认证的暂时限制并非暂停。此前一天，一家非营利环保组织限制了该公司的认证。

针对 CNA 的询问，APP 承认新加坡环境理事会 (SEC) 已发出通知，要求其在三个特许经营区（即公司获准使用或开发的土地）使用其增强型新加坡绿色标签计划 (SGLS+) 认证。

“这些限制并不构成对APP的SGLS+认证的暂停，”该公司表示，该公司旗下拥有Paseo和Nice等纸制品品牌。

周日，新加坡证券交易委员会发布了这项限制令，此前APP的三家木纤维供应商与印尼的火灾有关，这些火灾导致新加坡出现雾霾。

CNA游戏 猜词游戏 逐行破解单词 流行词游戏 用给定的字母组成单词 迷你数独 小小的谜题，强大的脑力挑战 迷你填字游戏 小方格，大挑战 单词搜索 尽可能多地找出单词 显示更多 显示更少 三家供应商——PT Bumi Mekar Hijau、PT Bumi Andalas Permai 和 PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries——也收到了国家环境局 (NEA) 发出的预防措施通知。当被问及是否有满足解除限制要求的具体时间表时，APP 表示，该通知要求每日提交报告，“直至 SEC 另行通知”。从周三开始，该公司将被要求加强对三个特许经营区热点活动、防火措施、缓解和扑灭工作以及正在采取的进一步行动的监测和报告。这些报告将定期向新加坡证券交易委员会（SEC）提供热点地区的最新情况和位置、为预防和控制火灾而采取的措施、现场应对工作的进展以及为最大限度降低火灾再次发生风险而计划采取的行动。“APP正在努力履行这些报告要求，并将继续与相关各方合作，以支持有效的火灾监测、预防和应对工作，”该公司表示。该公司补充说，它非常重视SEC的关切，并认识到加强对防火、准备和扑灭措施的监督的重要性。“我们仍然致力于与SEC进行建设性合作，以解决其提出的问题，并在我们的运营和供应链中保持透明度和问责制，”APP表示。该公司此前曾与2015年导致新加坡严重雾霾的火灾有关，其产品被下架约四年，直到2019年获得SEC的认证。

国家环境局 (NEA) 还向这三个供应商——PT Bumi Mekar Hijau、PT Bumi Andalas Permai 和 PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries 发出了预防措施通知。

当被问及是否有时间表来满足解除限制的要求时，APP表示，该通知要求每日提交报告，“直至美国证券交易委员会另行通知”。

从周三起，该公司将被要求加强对三个特许经营区热点活动、防火措施、缓解和扑灭工作以及正在采取的进一步行动的监测和报告。

这些报告将定期向美国证券交易委员会提供有关热点地区状况和位置、为防止和控制火灾而采取的措施、实地应对工作的进展以及为最大限度降低再次发生风险而计划采取的行动的最新信息。

“APP正在努力满足这些报告要求，并将继续与相关各方合作，以支持有效的火灾监测、预防和应对，”该公司表示。

该公司补充说，它认真对待美国证券交易委员会的担忧，并认识到加强对防火、准备和扑灭措施的监督的重要性。

APP表示：“我们将继续与美国证券交易委员会进行建设性合作，以解决所提出的问题，并在我们的运营和供应链中保持透明度和问责制。”

该公司此前曾与 2015 年新加坡发生的导致严重雾霾的火灾有关，其产品被下架约四年，直到 2019 年获得美国证券交易委员会的认证。

与 APP 相关的三个特许经营权在 2015 年也收到了国家环境局的通知。

SEC表示，如果APP未能证明加强监测、防火和灭火措施得到有效实施，其证书可能会被暂停。

“目前尚无解除限制的具体时间表。APP的当务之急是满足报告要求，向美国证券交易委员会提供必要信息，并证明在解决所提出的问题方面取得了进展，”该公司表示。

APP补充说，它将与理事会密切合作，并酌情回应进一步的要求。

零售商监测发展动态

2015 年将 APP 产品从超市货架上撤下的 FairPrice 表示，他们正在“密切关注事态发展”。

针对 CNA 的询问，职总平价集团发言人表示，公司非常重视负责任的采购，并期望其供应商遵守适用的环境法规。

发言人表示：“我们正在密切关注与区域雾霾情况相关的进展，并已主动与相关供应商接洽，以了解已报告的问题以及为解决这些问题而采取的措施。”

公平价格集团补充说，将继续评估可信信息，包括相关部门的调查结果，并酌情审查下一步措施。

CNA 还联系了其他大型超市和零售商，询问在其门店销售 APP 产品的相关事宜。

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