Singapore ups pressure on firms over links to Indonesia haze
Play
Singapore (dpa) - Major retailers in Singapore are being asked to declare that they are not buying or using wood, paper or pulp materials from companies accused of causing fires in Indonesia that have led to haze blanketing parts of the region.
The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) and Consumers Association ofSingapore (CASE) said Wednesday that major supermarkets, pharmacies and furniture retailers have been sent declaration forms to confirm that they have not procured materials from "unsustainable sources."
"These major supermarkets, pharmacies and furniture retailers operate several outlets from which consumers purchase paper-based products. They are a good starting point for retailers to commit to agreen procurement process and for consumers to show their support for brands that have environmentally friendly practices," the statementsaid.
Twelve companies have responded so far, among them Fuji Xerox Singapore Pte Ltd and Canon Singapore Pte Ltd, saying that their products have not been sourced from companies suspected to be responsible for the air pollution over parts of Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.
Major supermarket chain NTUC Fair Price also announced on Wednesday that they have withdrawn all products sourced by Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) after the SEC temporarily restricted the use of the Singapore Green Label certification for all the company's products.
