FSC Statement on APP moving under ownership of Jackson Wijaya, the current owner of the Domtar Group

We are informed that Jackson Wijaya, the beneficial owner of Domtar (formerly known as Paper Excellence) will become the beneficial owner of Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) too. Domtar is a company in good standing that has maintained FSC certification since 2008, covering over 7 million ha of forest area, as well as mills and processing plants.

FSC disassociated from APP in 2007 due to significant conversion of natural forests to plantations that APP was conducting in Indonesia in violation of the Policy for Association. This policy defines six unacceptable activities that associated individuals and organizations and their corporate group commit to avoid in both certified and non-certified operations. 

We are evaluating what the implications of the two companies being owned by one individual will mean for our Policy for Association. To determine the potential consequences of this change in ownership a rigorous legal review of relevant company connections will be initiated. 

We will ensure a consistent application of the consequences of ownership changes, and mergers and acquisitions as we have done in the past, and will invest necessary resources to resolve this case as a matter of priority.  

Background: 

At the General Assembly in 2022, the FSC membership opened the door for organizations to remedy for past conversion and Policy for Association violations because we believe that healing is possible and encouraged, under conditions set by FSC for the benefit of sustainable forestry and, thus, the FSC Certification Scheme with its members and supporters. The FSC Remedy Framework, which became effective in August 2023, defines a verified approach to restoration of environmental values, recompense for social harm and an opportunity to heal.  

FSC disassociated from Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) in October 2007. FSC and APP have been in dialogue since 2013 on how APP can address the environmental and social impacts of its conversion to again associate with FSC.  

In early 2024, APP took steps to embark on a process to remedy the environmental and social harms stemming from its past conversion activities. In May 2024, APP and FSC signed a remedy framework agreement that initiated the implementation of APP’s remedy process. For more information, refer to the APP remedy case page. 

For more details, please see the FAQs.