Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) has announced that it is committed to working with suppliers via constructive re-engagement, instead of outright suspension, to ensure they meet SDP's 'no deforestation, no peat, no exploitation' (NDPE) standards. In a statement, SDP group managing director, Mohamad Helmy Othman Basha, said SDP does not believe in reinstating suspension without a path for suppliers who violate SDP’s NDPE standards. SDP's statement is in conjunction with the publishing of its "Working with suppliers to draw the line on deforestation" policy statement to strengthen their commitment to achieve a sustainable supply chain. According to SDP's statement, the policy states that if a supplier is found to be in violation of SDP’s NDPE standards, the supplier will have to immediately cease work on the land, when non-compliance is confirmed. SDP said the supplier must also develop time-bound plans to restore cleared land and upgrade its operational practice. Only if that supplier is unwilling to meet those conditions, will they be suspended outright.

Posted by

The Edge Markets