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RSPO Principles and Criteria
The RSPO Principles and Criteria for the Production of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO P&C) include principles, criteria, indicators and guidance that are applied during and after any land is developed for oil palm plantings. The P&C provide a framework for palm oil growers and millers to implement sustainable production practices.
These are supported by a National Interpretation (NI) of the RSPO P&C which provides country-specific context to the application of the RSPO Principles and Criteria. The RSPO New Planting Procedure (NPP) specifies a sub-set of RSPO P&C that must be independently evaluated prior to any development of new plantings.
The RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) is a generic standard for use by crude palm oil mills and producers of fresh fruit bunches (FFB). RSPO P&C audits cover both the mill and its supply base. Where more than one mill shares the same supply base, deviations may be requested from the RSPO Secretariat to include more than one mill on a single certificate.
For plantations with no integrated mill, or where the mill is not yet established, the requirements in the P&C relating only to mills are not applicable. Certification includes both directly managed land (and estates) and scheme smallholders and outgrowers, where estates have been legally established with proportions of lands allocated to each.
Mills are required to develop and implement a plan to ensure that 100% of scheme smallholders and scheme outgrowers are compliant with the standard within three years of the mill's initial certification.
For independent smallholders, the RSPO has developed a system of Group Certification which allows a number of individual growers to certify their Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) together under a single certificate. In these cases, the certification includes the group manager and 100% of the group members, and the group manager shall also comply with the requirements of the RSPO Management System Requirements and Guidance for Group Certification of FFB Production.
Benefits of adoption
Certification to the RSPO Principles and Criteria (Palm Oil Plantations) demonstrates your commitment that the standard of production is sustainable with the added benefits of:
The recognition associated with a unique, sustainable supply chain integrity program, that fulfils the obligation for everyone involved in palm oil production
The opportunity to feature your product(s) as premium because of how it's produced
Credibility through the integrity of the RSPO sustainability claim, enabling consumers to make informed product choices in an environmentally conscious market.
Being able to differentiate your product through the use of the RSPO trademark in both business to business and business to consumer communications
Want to learn more about the benefits of certifying to RSPO P&C?
Email us info.indonesia@bsigroup.com
The journey to certification
The first step to certification is to document your system against the specific requirements of the standard. You will also need to apply for RSPO membership as this is an essential requirement of the certification criteria.
The RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) is a generic standard applicable to the crude palm oil mill as well as to the supply base producing the fresh fruit bunches (FFB); defining the principle, criteria, indicators and guidance for the production of sustainable palm oil. There is a generic audit checklist reflecting the minimum requirements to comply with RSPO P&C 2013 to ensure that the assessments are consistent and objective driven. There are four sections to this document including:
Section 1 – Template for Records
Section 2 – P&C Checklist
Section 3 – Checklist for Supply Chain Audit of the Mill
Section 4 – Checklist on elements stipulated in the RSPO System Document
The P&C checklist details the principles, with the corresponding criterion, indicator and checklist prompts. Principles include:
Principle 1: Commitment to transparency
Principle 2: Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations
Principle 3: Commitment to Long-term Economic and Financial Viability
Principle 4: Use of Appropriate Best Practices by Growers and Millers
Principle 5: Environmental Responsibility and Conservation of Natural Resources and Biodiversity
Principle 6: Responsible Consideration of Employees and of Individuals and Communities Affected by Growers and Millers
Principle 7: Responsible Development of New Plantings
Principle 8: Commitment to Continual Improvement in Key Areas of Activity.
Want to learn more about the journey to certification?
Email us info.indonesia@bsigroup.com
Why BSI?
The food industry impacts every person on the planet. Though what the world's population may eat may differ depending on the geography, wealth, age, gender and availability of goods, no other sector plays such a vital role in all of our day-today lives and culture. Economically, food represents 10% of global GDP (valued at US$48 trillion by the World Bank).
But the food sector also faces significant challenges. Each year, food-borne illness makes one in ten people ill and is the cause of death for millions around the world. Population growth projections and an increasing middle class suggest that the demand for food will increase 70% by 2050. And, consumers are increasingly conscious about what goes into their food, how it's made, its impact on ecosystems and where it comes from.
BSI believes the world deserves food that is safe, sustainable and socially responsible. We support the food sector by developing and publishing standards of best practice, supply chain solutions as well as training and certification to not only the most popular food safety standards, but other business improvement standards that work together to make organizations more resilient.
Working in 172 countries, we pride ourselves on the expertise, integrity and professionalism of our people. Our mission is to help our 80,000 clients, ranging from high-profile global brands to small local companies, survive and prosper in today's world.
