RSPO Standards Review Cycle: Latest Developments and Strategic Directions

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has carried out its five-year review cycle of the 2018 RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) and the 2019 RSPO Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard. The process is guided by the RSPO Standard Operating Procedure for Standard Setting and Review (2020), as part of the requirements of the ISEAL Alliance.

The following are the latest key developments and strategic directions that have emerged in this review cycle:

• Standards adoption set for GA21: To meet the evolving regulatory landscape and the critical need for strong stakeholder engagement, the Secretariat has revised the timeline for adopting the Standards with a goal set for adoption by the 21st RSPO General Assembly (GA21) in November 2024.
• Focus on Market and Regulatory Relevance: The latest revision will place a heightened emphasis on critical issues, notably climate change, underpinned by clear justifications. This strategic focus is aimed at ensuring the RSPO Standards are not only responsive to market demands but also aligned with regulatory trends.
• Principles, Criteria, and the RSPO Theory of Change: A key aspect of the latest revision is the explicit linkage of each principle and criterion to the RSPO's Theory of Change, as well as to one or more targets within the 244 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Interim Revision and Change Management: Mechanisms for Interim Revisions within the Standards review process have been incorporated, allowing for RSPO to address any emerging procedural or implementation challenges and to deliberate on potential refinements during the initial 18-month period of the Standards adoption.

Feedback Consultations: 5 July to 20 August

The redrafted RSPO and ISH Standard as proposed by the RSPO Secretariat, along with the initial draft of RSPO Certification Systems, are now ready for Feedback Consultation.

The RSPO Secretariat will be holding in-person workshops and online webinars in various cities around the world and across multiple time zones to share details about the main changes between the current Standards (P&C and ISH), Certification Systems and the proposed drafts. Information on how to participate in the global commenting platform as well as an explanation of prisma, the new RSPO Certification, Trade and Traceability system, will also be shared.

Procedural Grievances

Any grievances or issues with the procedures are under the purview of the Steering Group. Any grievances and issues may be directed to [email protected]