Indonesian paper company hit with restrictions in Singapore after suppliers linked to haze fires

Singapore’s skyline, with the Formula One pit building on October 15, 2026. Haze from Indonesian forest fires continues to blanket the city‑state. — AFP pic

First Published: Tuesday, 20 Oct 2026 2:15 PM MYT

SINGAPORE, Oct 20 — Indonesian paper Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) has been placed under temporary green certification restrictions by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC). 

The firm, which is behind household tissue and paper towel brand Paseo, was issued a notice of temporary restrictions on its enhanced Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS+) on Oct 18, after three of its wood-fibre suppliers were linked to ongoing wildfires in Indonesia that have blanketed several South-east Asian nations in hazardous haze.

SEC said in a statement on Monday (Oct 19) that they take a serious view of the harmful impact of haze on the health of people in Singapore and the wider region, as well as on the environment.

Under the notice, APP is required to provide daily fire response reporting and strict monitoring to ensure effective fire prevention and suppression, for the concession areas managed by PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Bumi Andalas Permai, and PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas (SBA) Wood Industries.

The three firms are among seven entities issued with Preventive Measure Notices under Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act on Oct 16.

SEC’s SGLS+ certification for pulp and paper products was launched in 2017, two years after the severe regional haze episode in 2015.

It incorporated requirements to reduce fire risks on agroforestry plantations, including sustainable peatland management, robust fire prevention, and strict zero-burning compliance throughout the supply chain.

According to SEC, about 58 pulp and paper products, such as printing paper and hygiene paper, are now certified under the scheme.

The council stated that if APP’s additional reporting does not demonstrate that strengthened monitoring, fire prevention and suppression measures are implemented effectively, its SGLS+ certificate may be suspended.

This means that it will not be able to use the SGLS+ logo on products associated with the certification.

And while non-SGLS+ products are not banned from being sold, major local supermarket chains and retailers are known to have pulled such products from shelves when manufacturers loses or fails to achieve the certification.

SEC said it has also asked SGLS+ certified companies to check their supply chains and declare whether they source or purchase wood, paper, and pulp products from any of the entities served with the prevention measure notices.

A total of ten Indonesian firms — seven on Oct 16, and another three on Oct 19 — have since been served with Preventive Measure Notices.

The council also reminded consumers that their daily purchasing decisions can influence companies’ environmental practices, and that they can make a difference by choosing products carefully by looking for the Singapore Green Label where applicable. — AsiaOne