KPMG Performance Registrar Inc. (KPMG PRI) has completed an independent assurance engagement on APRIL Group’s (APRIL) implementation of its Sustainable Forest Management Policy (SFMP) 2.0. This marks the 10th consecutive assurance report issued by KPMG PRI to the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) since 2016.

The report provides assurance over APRIL’s performance against 19 performance indicators for the period of January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. The scope of the assurance included six field location: one PT. RAPP Sectors, two Supply Partners, two newly integrated Kalimantan Supply Partner Concessions, and one Open Market Supplier.

A significant development during this reporting period was the reclassification of three Kalimantan suppliers—PT Adindo Hutani Lestari, PT Itci Hutani Manunggal, and PT Nusantara Kalimantan Lestari—from Open Market Suppliers to Supply Partners. This reclassification reflects their contribution to APRIL’s 1:1 conservation commitment and resulted in notable shifts in the reported areas of both plantation and conservation.

Based on field verification process and stakeholder engagement, this year’s report highlights APRIL’s ongoing progress in several key areas, including the prohibition of native mixed tropical hardwood harvesting, responsible plantation development, community support and development programs, and maintaining fire records across PT. RAPP and Supply Partner concessions both Sumatra and Kalimantan.

One new non-conformance was identified in relation to safety culture, specifically the development of effective action plans to address identified safety gaps. The report also highlights five new opportunities for improvement. These areas includes ensuring the appropriateness of support provided for community development programs, improving support for Kalimantan Supply Partners in strengthening their grievance resolution mechanisms and fire management, strengthening controls around chemical use, and developing more specific plans for Rare, Threatened and Endangered (RTE) species.

All previously identified opportunities for improvement have been addressed, with the exception of one, which is currently in progress.

Overall, the findings of the assurance process indicate that APRIL continues to demonstrate progress in fulfilling its key SFMP 2.0 commitments.