SINGAPORE - The Government's move to procure only printing paper products certified with the Singapore Green Label is a "move in the right direction" towards sustainability, the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) and Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) said in a media statement on Thursday (April 14).

On Tuesday, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said during the debate on his ministry's budget that the Government will buy only printing paper products that carry the Singapore Green Label from September this year.

The green label is an indication that suppliers practise sustainable forestry management, said Mr Masagos.

Ms Isabella Loh, chairman of the SEC, said the Government holds a major stake in Singapore's green procurement market.

She added: "SEC is very encouraged that they are taking the lead in green procurement. This says a lot about their commitment to encourage and ensure that the public sector undertake sustainable practices.

"Having said that, the rest of our consumers, individuals and corporations alike, need to play their part too... The collective effort adds up."

Mr Lim Biow Chuan, president of consumer watchdog Case, said he hopes that businesses and consumers will follow the example set by the Government to buy only paper products from sustainable sources.

"We will need to work together to ensure that Singapore's voice is heard so that the recurrence of the transboundary haze pollution year after year can be resolved," he added.

Companies that wish to participate in the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme for printing paper products can apply via the website: www.sgls.sec.org.sg/certification.php, or e-mail SEC at greenlabel@sec.org.sg