Title:
RESOLUTION TO POSTPONE THE MANDATORY ENTRY INTO FORCE OF RSPO PRINCIPLES & CRITERIA 2024
Submitted by:
FEDEPALMA -National Federation of Oil Palm Growers of Colombia, Cooperativa de Produccion Agropecuaria de Campesinos Salama Limitada, Palmeros del Aguan S. A. (PALMASA), OLEOFLORES S A S, Tostadas y Botanas Premium SA de CV
Background:
- RSPO’s mission is to ensure that sustainable palm oil production and use become the global norm, promoting equitable inclusion of all members.
- In December 2024, RSPO launched the Principles & Criteria 2024, scheduled to enter into force in November 2025, reaffirming its commitment to continuous improvement.
- During the official launch in Bogotá, it was announced that everything would be prepared and provided to guarantee full understanding and implementation of the new P&C Standard.
- However, up to date significant tools and documents are missing or not ready for P&C 2024 implementation.
- Some of these documents are as follows:
- Certification System for P&C and independent smallholders 2024.
- Rules for Certification Bodies, Accreditation Bodies and audits.
- Living Wage procedure Updated to P&C 2024.
- Learning Module System updated to P&C 2024
- In addition, RSPO has not yet officially released the necessary materials for the development of the training and update program for lead auditors, leading to a shortage of accredited professionals and creating challenges in ensuring the proper implementation and compliance of audit processes under the new standard.
Proposed Resolution:
It is hereby resolved to:
- Extend the mandatory effective date of the RSPO P&C 2024 Standard by six months, until May 31, 2026, with a review of progress in the fifth month and the possibility of an additional six-month extension if significant delays persist.
- Maintain RSPO P&C 2018 as the valid and enforceable standard during this transition period, ensuring continued application of sustainable practices under a recognized framework.
Establish the following prerequisites for the mandatory application of P&C 2024:- Official training forauditors and members on the new requirements.
- Mandate the Standards Standing Committee and the RSPO Secretariat to oversee implementation of this resolution and provide periodic progress updates to the membership.
Potential Benefits:
- Ensure equity: No member should face disadvantages due to language barriers or lack of implementation tools.
- Strengthen RSPO credibility and unity: Ensure that all regions advance under clear, consistent, and equally applicable rules.
- Safeguard market confidence: Implementation with official translations and National Interpretations reduces inconsistencies and reinforces trust in the RSPO seal.
- Preserve certification continuity: Maintaining audits under P&C 2018 during the transition safeguards volumes of certified sustainable oil.
- Enhance local legitimacy: National Interpretation processes allow P&C 2024 tobe applied in a manner consistent with local production and socialrealities.
Potential Risk & Mitigation:
- Risk: Perception of delay in sustainability commitments.
Mitigation: Maintain audits under P&C 2018 with strengthened controls during the transition. - Risk: Potential questioning from external stakeholders regarding the extension.
Mitigation: Ground the measure in RSPO’s core principles of equity, inclusion, transparency, and credibility.
Proposed Committee/Working Group/Task Force in overseeing the Resolution:
It is proposed that the Standards Standing Committee (SSC), in coordination with the RSPO Secretariat, oversee the implementation of this resolution and publish progress reports every six months.
Contact Information:
Andres Felipe García , [email protected] Marjorie Bosque, [email protected] Daniel Torres Loza, [email protected]
- RSPO Principles and Criteria 2018.
- RSPO Principles and Criteria 2024 (official English version).
- Official RSPO communications on transition (Bogotá, December 2024).
- GA22 Resolution Guidelines (2025).
