as a smallholder

Journey to certification

The Independent Smallholders’ journey to certification

As part of the certification process, there are several steps which the independent smallholder group must take to prepare for RSPO Certification. The diagram below explains the necessary steps to be taken.

Start your smallholder journery here!

Group Formation

Smallholder Group Legislation.

Establish Internal Control System and Group Manager Appointment.

Obtain relevant data of the group member’s plots (mapping, palm oil planting years, and/ land registration document).

Group members understand their commitment in the RSPO Certification through Smallholder Declaration.

Procedures (SOP) & Training Programme

Understand the value of developing and functioning Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), management plans, and updated records in the farm activities.

Present substantial training components as required on the phased approach of the RSPO ISH Standard.

Read key documents towards to the RSPO Certification Audit, such as:

The RSPO ISH Standard.
Auditor Checklist for Audits against RSPO ISH Standard.
System Certification of the RSPO Certification.

RSPO Membership Registration

Providing clear and sufficient information for the RSPO membership application. Read RSPO Membership Requirements.

Understand and adhere to the RSPO membership rules, including

Internal Audit

The Internal Control System (ICS) commitee needs to conduct the internal audit as pre-audit assessment. The key documents as references being implemented. The internal audit includes:

Preparation by the group
Stakeholder / Public Consultation Announcement
Opening Meeting
Inspecting of Documents
Field Work
Sampling
Closing meeting
Follow up on non-compliances
Continuous improvement

Identify the Certification Body & Internal Audit

Once the internal audit is successful, smallholder groups to arrange the audit against the RSPO ISH Standard.

Identify the accredied CB to conduct the audit. See and contact the CB through the RSPO website here.

Once the CB identified, the one-month public announcement is required prior to the audit date. The smallholder group to provide LUCA result which has been analysed by the RSPO.

RSPO ISH Standard Certification Audit

The Certified Sustainable Palm Oil as RSPO Credits can be allocated in the PalmTrace Platform once the audit is successful. The RSPO Credits is one of the benefits by joining the RSPO certification.

In order to maintain the benefit, the group to:

Conduct annual audit (Surveillance Audit) on the group members.
Annual Membership Fee Payment
The group to inform the RSPO should any plots / smallholders added.

Smallholder Journey to Certification

Disclaimer: The content on this site is provided to the public as an overview. This website is constantly being updated. We will make every attempt to keep this site up to date and correct all inaccuracies that are brought to our attention. You are encouraged to email our Smallholder Team to get the latest information.