Consumers in Singapore Voice Concern over Unsustainable Production Processes

Singaporean consumers have heavily criticized the production processes of enterprises not complying with national sustainability requirements, particularly those companies involved in importation of palm oil from the rest of Southeast Asia. (You may also want to see: Singapore Consumer Products Watchdog Highlights Nail Care Product Incompliance)

The palm oil industry in Southeast Asia is highly developed, supplying the world’s food and cosmetic industry. However the palm industry in a number of countries including Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia is heavily linked with pollution and the destruction of the local ecosystem as a direct consequence of burning forests to make way for palm oil plantation expansion.

A campaign named “We Breathe What We Buy” is looking to increase supply chain transparency and corporate accountability of companies involved in the palm oil and forestry sectors. The core mission of the movement is to urge companies move away from unsustainable production processes.

As a key ingredient for the beauty industry, there has been growing concern over the sustainability of palm oil growth in recent years, which adds to the pressure facing relevant companies.