Asia Pulp & Paper, linked to Indonesian firms behind forest fires, issued restrictions by S'pore Environment Council

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) has been handed a temporary restriction notice by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) regarding its enhanced Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS+) certification.

As a result, it will be subjected to daily fire response reporting and strict monitoring.

Of the 10 Indonesian companies issued preventive measure notices by the National Environment Agency after hotspots were detected on lands they operated, at least three are listed as suppliers to APP.

APP is a Singapore-incorporated company.

The issuance of the temporary restrictions notice was announced in a statement by SEC on Oct. 19.

Must provide daily fire reports, risk losing green label

Under the notice, SEC explained that APP must provide daily fire response reports for the concession areas managed by Indonesian companies PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Bumi Andalas Permai and PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries.

The three entities are wood-fibre suppliers to APP and operate concessions in South Sumatra, Indonesia.

These same entities were issued preventive measures notices under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act by the NEA on Oct. 16, along with four other non-SGLS+ entities, SEC said.

If APP's additional reporting is unable to demonstrate that strengthened monitoring, fire prevention and suppression measures are implemented effectively, the SGLS+ certificate may subsequently be suspended.

If so, the use of the SGLS+ logo on products associated with the certification would have to cease.

What is the SGLS+ certification?

The SGLS+ certification for pulp and paper products was launched by SEC in 2017 after the 2015 haze episode.

It incorporated requirements to reduce fire risks on plantations, such as having robust fire prevention measures and strict zero-burning compliance throughout a company's supply chain.

Around 58 pulp and paper products, such as printing paper and hygiene paper, are certified under the SGLS+ certification.

The label aims to empower customers to make informed purchasing decisions and support more environmentally responsible products, SEC said.

APP lost green label in 2015 over haze, products pulled from shelves

In 2015, APP products were pulled from supermarket shelves after SEC suspended their green certification.

APP products only returned four years later in 2019 when it received the SGLS+ certification from the SEC.

SEC is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that manages an eco-labelling programme in Singapore.

Senior Minister K Shanmugam shared on Oct. 19, 2026 that the government was looking into several companies, including APP, over possible links to forest fires in Indonesia that have caused the haze experienced in Singapore in the past weeks.