RSPO Supply Chain Certification

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Certification for Supply Chains

Request Information

Home /
Services /
Food Consumer Labels /
RSPO Supply Chain Certification

What is RSPO Supply Chain Certification?

Palm oil is the world’s #1 most traded vegetable oil. In response to growing concerns about palm oil’s effect on the environment and society, the Round Table of Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was formed in 2004. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is an internationally recognized standard for assuring sustainable production of palm oil across the supply chain, according to specific criteria. Many of the world’s major brand owners and retailers now require that their suppliers use RSPO certification to ensure palm oil used in their products is certified. RSPO Supply Chain certification is increasingly a requirement to sell palm oil to customers in the EU and North American markets.

See our progress at: https://rspo.org/members/5815

Why you need it

Palm oil is found in a growing and diverse set of consumer-packaged goods, and retailers demand to know that the palm oil comes from sustainable sources. Demand for this versatile oil will likely continue to grow due to its performance and price characteristics, thus it is increasingly important to ensure that palm oil production is associated with supporting poverty reduction, safeguarding social-interest, communities and workers, and protecting the environment and wildlife. RSPO certification is the most widely accepted way to ensure that palm oil you purchase meets international sustainability requirements throughout the supply chain and aligns with major brand-owners and retailer sustainability commitments.

Ready to apply? Fill out an application for Supply Chain Certification in English, Spanish, or French.

Brand Protection

Consumers and retailers are increasingly requesting sustainable palm oil and palm kernel oil in their products and seeking assurance through RSPO certification. Many companies have already made public commitments to use deforestation-free palm oil in their products, such as:

PepsiCo
McDonald’s
Ferrero
Walmart
Nestlé
Unilever
Colgate-Palmolive
Bimbo

RSPO certification is increasingly a requirement for any company that sells or uses palm oil.

Process
Benefits
FAQs
Certified Clients
Program Documents

Become a Member of RSPO
Eligibility to undergo RSPO audits is limited to members of the RSPO. To become a member of RSPO, go to http://www.rspo.org/members/apply.
Apply for Certification
Complete and submit the SCS Application form in English or Spanish. SCS will then prepare a proposal for your approval with suggested scope of work, timeline and quote. If the proposal meets your needs you will sign a Work Order and the audit will be scheduled.
Written Procedures
Create company procedures that demonstrate how certified palm oil products will be tracked throughout your operation. SCS provides guidance to help explain the Principles & Criteria (P&C) or Supply Chain Certification System (SCCS) requirements.
Pre-Audit Assessment (Optional)
An SCS auditor will review your procedures for thoroughness and conformance. The auditor identifies areas for improvement in the procedures prior to the audit.
On-site Audit
During a site visit, an SCS auditor will review SCCS procedures and records to determine compliance to the RSPO Supply Chain Standard. Additionally, the auditor will tour the operations where certified material is handled and interview key staff. We look for evidence that staff has been duly trained in SCCS responsibilities and that staff possess an understanding of the workflow for certified products.
Assessment Report
Based on audit findings, SCS produces an audit report. The audit report is submitted to the SCS Technical Team who validates the appropriateness of the auditor's methodology and conclusions.
Make Certification Decision
The Technical Team decides whether to grant certification. If granted, you will be issued a certificate valid for a five-year period, with annual surveillance audits. Any conditional Major Corrective Action Requests (CARs) identified by SCS must be closed prior to obtaining certification. SCS can also provide client marketing support.
Maintain Certification
Annual surveillance audits are required to maintain SCCS certification. Certified companies are listed on the official RSPO Supply Chain certificate holder database. Certified companies are granted permission to use trademarks for on-product and off-product applications in conformance with the appropriate trademark rules.

Expand and retain your market share with a growing number of brands, retailers, and customers who require RSPO certified palm oil and palm kernel oil
Minimize risk and protect your brand and products with shared responsibility throughout the supply chain
Use the RSPO trademark to promote your sustainable, forest friendly, and No Deforestation, No Peat, and No Exploitation (NDPE) palm oil commitments to your supply chain and consumers
Stay on par with competitors and brands that have RSPO certification such as General Mills, Kimberly Clark, Sara Lee, Gilchrist & Soames, and more; and Book & Claim audits such as Seventh Generation, Estee Lauder, and Krispy Kreme
Display transparency and credibility with stakeholders
Be recognized as a contributor to RSPO’s global leadership in sustainable palm oil

Who is eligible for RSPO certification?
Anyone that has legal ownership of RSPO oil palm products or physically manipulates and/or stores RSPO palm oil products should get RSPO certified. Eligibility to undergo RSPO audits is limited to members of the RSPO. To become a member of RSPO, go to http://www.rspo.org/members/apply.

Who is RSPO Principles & Criteria Certification for?
RSPO Principles & Criteria (P&C) Certification is for oil palm growers and palm oil mills that want to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable production. Learn more here.

Who is RSPO Supply Chain Certification for?
RSPO Supply Chain Certification System (SCCS) is for independent mills, downstream processors, crushers, refineries, ingredient manufacturers, oleochemical processors, and end-product manufacturers that want to assure consumers and buyers of palm oil products that their palm oil is sustainable and more environmentally friendly. RSPO Certification allows companies to make claims regarding the traceability of the palm oil content in their products.

Traders and distributors do not require supply chain certification, but should obtain a distributors license from RSPO if they take legal ownership, store and sell products to customers but do not unpack, repack, or relabel these products. Contact RSPO to apply for a license.

What are the costs and fees associated with RSPO certification?
Prices for SCS auditing services varies depending on the location, size and complexity of your operation. Please contact us for a custom quote and to determine if certification is right for you.

What is the timeline to obtain RSPO certification?
Once a company has agreed to contract SCS as their certification body, the typical timeline to conduct an initial certification is 2-3 months. Upon completion of a certification audit the company can expect their certification report within two weeks and certification will be issued pending closure of any findings.

How long is my RSPO certificate valid?
A RSPO Certificate is valid for five years. Annual surveillance audits are required to maintain your certificate.

Can I bundle RSPO certification with other SCS services?
Ask about bundling related certification services for your industry, with programs like the International Sustainably and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and food safety assessments which could save your company time and money.

Below is a list of operators who are currently certified by SCS Global Services to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standards:

Client Certificate Type: Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Supply Chain
All companies currently certified according to the requirements of the RSPO Supply Chain Certification Standard (RSPO SCCS) can be found using RSPO Supply Chain Certificate Holder database.

The RSPO certificate holder database is the official database of RSPO SCCS certificate holders. Select SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) within the "Certification Body" dropdown menu to search for all companies certified by SCS.

Map of SCS’ RSPO Certified Clients

Document Name	Document
Application - P&C Certification for Oil Palm Growers	English \| Spanish \| French
Application - P&C Independent Smallholder Standard	English
Application - RSPO Certification for Supply Chains	English \| Spanish \| French \| German \| Chinese Simplified
Feedstock Specific Certifications with SCS	English \| Spanish
Guide to RSPO Supply Chain Certification	English
NASPON Derivatives List	English
NASPON Vendor Survey	English
RSPO Education Booklet	English
RSPO Principles & Criteria Certification – Brochure	English \| Spanish
RSPO Program Documents	Visit Site
RSPO Supply Chain Certification – Brochure	English \| Spanish