Cottonsoft has applauded its affiliate Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) for receiving the Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation (IFCC) certification, endorsed by PEFC, to more than 300,000 hectares of supplier plantations.
Cottonsoft has produced PEFC certified product since 2009. It sees this latest development as providing another option for sourcing with the potential to provide a greater range across the market. Kim Calvert, country manager at Cottonsoft says, “We are proud of the positive steps APP has taken to achieve Zero Deforestation in the supply chain and the latest certification recognises the effort the company has made to achieve this goal. This achievement is not only important for APP, but increases the availability of certified products around the world.”
Two of APP’s suppliers in Riau province, Indonesia, operate the 306,400 hectares of IFCC-PEFC certified plantations. APP says that more than 1,000,000 hectares of plantation area have moved into the final stages of IFCC-PEFC certification, with certification anticipated imminently, which moves APP closer to reaching its target of 100 per cent of pulpwood suppliers achieving sustainable forest management certification by 2020.
Aida Greenbury, managing director of sustainability at APP, says, “Consumers increasingly demand sustainable and certified products. APP embraces all credible certification schemes, and is a member and supporter of the PEFC. We have been working hard to help develop the Indonesian national sustainable forest management certification, and have helped to ensure that it is fully aligned with globally recognised standards, because we recognise that independent assurance of sustainable forest management is very important for our customers. Through our work to support the development of the IFCC, its endorsement by the PEFC and the hard work of our suppliers in meeting the IFCC’s international standards, we have achieved this goal.
“This is now the third year of the implementation of our zero deforestation commitment. In combination with this commitment, this certification means buyers from APP can be assured that not only are APP’s products of high quality, but that they are certified, traceable and support sustainable forest management across Indonesia.”
Benn Gunneberg, secretary general of PEFC International, says, “PEFC is proud to be associated with first certificates to be issued against the recently endorsed IFCC forest management standard as through these Indonesia is signalling its commitment to sustainable forest management to consumers around the world”
Dradjad H Wibowo, chairman of the IFCC, adds, “Today marks the realisation of a lot of hard work and a long held ambition to secure internationally recognised certification for Indonesia’s forests. Our dual ambition of stimulating the Indonesian economy, assisting small holders whilst protecting one of our most valuable resources, our natural forests, will be significantly bolstered by the presence of the PEFC certificate, which is regarded around the globe as a guarantee of responsibly sourced products”
