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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.

Step 1

Group Formation

  • Smallholder Group Legislation.
  • Establish Internal Control System (ICS) and Group Manager Appointment.
  • Obtain relevant data of the group member’s plots (mapping, palm oil planting years, and/or land registration document).
  • Group members understand their commitment to RSPO Certification through the Smallholder Declaration.

Step 2

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) & Training Programme

  • Understand the value of developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), management plans, and updating records of the farm activities.
  • Present substantial training components as required by the phased approach of the RSPO ISH Standard.
  • Read key documents towards the RSPO Certification Audit, such as: The RSPO ISH Standard; Auditor Checklist for Audits against RSPO ISH Standard; and System Certification of the RSPO Certification

Step 3

RSPO Membership Registration

  • Provide clear and sufficient information for the RSPO Membership application.
  • Read RSPO Membership Requirements. Understand and adhere to the RSPO membership rules, including annual membership fee payment.

Step 4

Internal Audit

  • The ICS committee needs to conduct the internal audit as a pre-audit assessment. The key documents as references being implemented. The internal audit includes:
  • Preparation by the group Stakeholder/Public Consultation Announcement
  • Opening meeting
  • Inspection of documents
  • Field work
  • Sampling
  • Closing meeting
  • Follow up on non-compliances
  • Continuous improvement

Step 5

Identify the Certification Body (CB) & Internal Audit

  • Once the internal audit is successful, smallholder groups arrange the audit against the RSPO ISH Standard. Find an accredited CB to conduct the audit here.
  • Once the CB is identified, the one-month public announcement is required prior to the audit date. The smallholder group is to provide the LUCA result which has been analysed by RSPO.

Step 6

RSPO ISH Standard Certification Audit

The Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) sold as RSPO Credits can be allocated in the PalmTrace Platform once the audit is successful. RSPO Credits are one of the benefits of RSPO certification. In order to maintain the benefit, the group must: Conduct annual audit (Surveillance Audit) Pay the annual membership fee Inform the RSPO of any changes such as to plots/ smallholders added to the group.

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.