Forest Stewardship Council Risks Reputation by Lifting Suspension of APP's Remedy Process
Civil Society criticizes the move, citing failure to conclude investigations into the scope of forestry giant’s empire and gross misrepresentation of community views.
This week, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) announced it would lift its suspension on the Remedy Process with Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) — reversing its earlier decision to pause the process until it clarified APP’s ties to Paper Excellence.
A coalition of environmental groups condemns the FSC's preemptive decision and calls on the certification body to conclude its investigation into the scope of the corporate group and revoke Paper Excellence’s certificates until APP fulfills its widely publicized pledges to end deforestation and community exploitation.
Deforestation within the concession of PT Wira Karya Sakti (WKS), a company controlled by or linked to Asia Pulp and Paper, in Tanjung Jabung Barat District of Jambi Province. Photo taken on February 7, 2024, @Auriga Nusantara
The FSC has further undermined stakeholder confidence in the implementation of its Remedy Framework in Indonesia by claiming its decision to lift the suspension resulted from “listening to the voices from the ground” during a recent forum held in Jakarta. Not only does this decision appear to sidestep the FSC’s own policies, but we believe this is a gross misrepresentation of affected communities’ views, as participants in the events cited ongoing land conflicts and intimidation by companies under the control of APP and called for improved oversight of the Remedy Process.
By rushing to lift APP’s suspension before a full investigation has concluded into the scope of the current and historical forestry interests of members of the Wijaya family (presumed controllers of both APP and Paper Excellence), the FSC discredits its global certification scheme. It is effectively allowing APP to proceed with its baseline assessments before agreement is reached on the extent of the companies and forestry concessions that must be subject to social and environmental harm assessments.
Canals constructed in peatland within the concession of PT Bumi Mekar Hijau (BMH), a company controlled by or linked to Asia Pulp and Paper, in Ogan Komering Ilir District of South Sumatra Province. These canals drain peatland, an enabling condition for fire disaster. Photo taken on August 23, 2020, @Auriga Nusantara
Now rebranded as Domtar, and the largest pulp and paper company in North America, Paper Excellence has apparently been controlled by APP since it acquired a mill in Saskatchewan, Canada in 2007. The FSC disassociated from APP in 2007 due to destructive forestry practices, and its rules prohibit membership by any organization within the same corporate group until the disassociation has ended. Despite being controlled by APP, Paper Excellence has been allowed by the FSC to obtain and retain certifications — and to sell FSC-certified products.
In Indonesia, Asia Pulp & Paper has continued controversial operations that harm Indigenous and local communities, drive deforestation risk, and fuel uncontrollable fires on high-carbon peatlands. In accordance with its own policies, the FSC must revoke Paper Excellence’s certificates until APP fulfills its widely publicized pledge to end deforestation, draining peatlands, and conflicts with communities. By prematurely resuming the remedy process with APP, the FSC is not just undermining its own standards and credibility — it is enabling a massive greenwash for one of the world's most destructive forestry companies.
- Auriga Nusantara
- Environmental Paper Network (EPN)
- Forest Peoples Programme (FPP)
- Greenpeace Indonesia
- Hutan Kita Institute (HAKI)
- Jaringan Masyarakat Gambut Riau (JMGR)
- LPESM Riau
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
- Rainforest Action Network (RAN)
- TuK Indonesia
- Woods & Wayside International (WWI)
- Yayasan Masyarakat Kehutanan Lestari (YMKL)
- Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI)
- Perkumpulan Rawang South Sumatra