Rollout Process
Following the adoption of the 2024 RSPO Principles and Criteria and the 2024 RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard at the 21st RSPO General Assembly on 13 November 2024, the revised 2024 RSPO Standards shall become effective 12 months following their adoption, (13 November 2025).
To support the rollout and implementation of the 2024 RSPO Standards ahead of their effective date, information on the processes and activities connected to the 2024 RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) and the 2024 RSPO Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard is available below. This section of the website will be regularly updated to reflect the latest status and information regarding these processes and activities.
The expected timeline and target deadlines for the supporting processes and activities are as follows. Further details on each process or activity are provided below.
For any questions on the 2024 Standards Rollout and Implementation, or to provide any feedback, suggestions, recommendations or issues regarding the revised 2024 RSPO Standards or revised RSPO Certification Systems for the P&C and RSPO ISH Standard, please email [email protected]
To register any concerns or complaints regarding the development and maintenance of RSPO Standards, please email: [email protected]
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Standards Documents | Certification Systems Document | Supplementary/Derivative Documents | National Interpretations | Socialisation | Trainings
Standards Documents
Following the adoption of the 2024 RSPO Principles and Criteria and the 2024 RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard at the 21st RSPO General Assembly on 13 November 2024, the consolidated versions of the Standards documents (with the text as adopted by GA) can be found below. The documents are currently only available in English.
The Standards documents are in the process of final design and translation to five other languages – Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malaysia, Spanish, French and Thai. The final design and translations are expected to be completed by end-March 2025. Please note that as per Section 2.1.2 of the 2024 RSPO Principles and Criteria and Section 2.1.1 of the 2024 RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard (Translation Accuracy Disclaimer), the translation accuracy of the 2024 RSPO Standards into languages other than English is a priority, but is neither guaranteed nor implied. Any discrepancies or differences in translations are not binding nor enforceable; in such cases, the official English version of the RSPO Standard shall prevail.
Annex 5 of the 2024 RSPO Principles and Criteria and Annex 3 of the 2024 RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard are currently in development. These annexes are expected to support implementation of the 2024 RSPO Standards with interpretation and guidance for each criterion/indicator in an informative manner. Development of Annex 5 and Annex 3 is expected to be completed by end-March 2025. RSPO shall keep all members and stakeholders informed on the progress of the development and endorsement of these annexes.
Certification Systems document
The RSPO Certification Systems for the Principles and Criteria (P&C) and RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard are supporting documents of RSPO Standards, which outline the requirements that shall be followed by accredited Certification Bodies and auditors when assessing compliance against RSPO Standards (or applicable National Interpretations of the RSPO Standards, see below) for certification.
As part of the RSPO Standards Review 2022-2024, the RSPO Certification Systems for the Principles and Criteria (P&C) and RSPO Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard were revised in parallel with the RSPO Standards. Finalisation of the revised Certification Systems document is currently ongoing. The timeline below outlines the expected schedule and target deadlines for completion/endorsement. Following endorsement of the revised RSPO Certification Systems for the P&C and RSPO ISH Standard, there shall be a formal transition period to support change management and implementation of new/amended requirements of the revised document by accredited Certification Bodies. This transition period shall be aligned with that of the revised 2024 RSPO Standards, to be effective on the same date (13 November 2025).
Expected Timeline for the Finalisation of the RSPO Certification Systems for Principles and Criteria (P&C) and RSPO Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard
| Steps | Month |
| Development of Auditor’s Checklist (Annex 12) | December 2024 – January 2025 |
| Targeted Consultations | February 2025 |
| Draft refinement | March 2025 |
| Endorsement by the RSPO Standards Standing Committee (SSC) | March 2025 |
| Publication, translations and proofreading | April 2025 |
Supplementary/Derivative Documents
To support the implementation of, and compliance with, the RSPO Standards, RSPO has developed a library of supplementary and derivatives documents that support general or specific aspects/criteria/indicators of the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) and the RSPO Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard.
The following is a list of existing or new supplementary/derivative documents of the 2024 RSPO P&C and the 2024 RSPO ISH Standard that are currently effective, are to be updated/developed, or are in active development. The status of each document is as of 13 November 2024. This list shall be updated regularly to denote the latest status of each document.
RSPO aims to complete the development of as many of these documents as possible, for endorsement by the RSPO Standards Standing Committee (SSC) and for implementation by members, within the 12-month period prior to the 2024 RSPO Standards becoming effective. In the event that a supplementary/derivative document is not able to be developed within the 12-month period, RSPO shall indicate an expected completion date in this list and, if necessary, initiate the development of an Interim Measure to support compliance.
List of supplementary/derivative documents of the 2024 RSPO Principles and Criteria
| Document | Status | Progress |
| RSPO Certification Systems for Principles and Criteria (P&C) and Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard | To be updated | In development, expected endorsement April 2025 |
| RSPO Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) Guidance | To be developed | NEW. To be developed by the HRDD SubGroup, under the RSPO Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) |
| Annex 4 – List of RSPO-recognised Human Rights Due Diligence methodologies for compliance to Indicator 1.3.1 | To be developed | NEW. To be developed by the HRDD SubGroup, under the RSPO HRWG |
| RSPO Policy on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Whistleblowers, Complainants and Community Spokespersons | To be updated | Ongoing revision of the current RSPO Policy on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, Whistleblowers, Complainants and Community Spokespersons 2018 |
| RSPO Prevailing Wage Calculation Procedure | To be developed | To be developed by the RSPO Living Wage Task Force (LWTF) |
| RSPO Guidance on Calculating Prevailing Wages | Effective* | |
| Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) Guide | Effective* | |
| Guidance on Child Rights for Palm Oil Producers | Effective* | |
| RSPO Practical Guidance on Gender Inclusion and Compliance to the 2018 P&C and 2019 ISH Standard | Effective* | |
| Guidance for the Repayment of Recruitment Fees and Related Costs | In development | To be developed by the RSPO Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) |
| Guidance on Peat Inventory for RSPO Reporting | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO Biodiversity and High Conservation Value Working Group (BHVCWG) |
| RSPO Peat Inventory Template | Effective* | |
| RSPO Drainability Assessment Procedure | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO Biodiversity and High Conservation Value Working Group (BHVCWG) |
| PalmGHG Calculator Manual | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO Greenhouse Gases Task Force (GHGTF) |
| GHG Assessment Procedure for New Development | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO GHGTF |
| RSPO Guidance for Land Use Change Analysis (LUCA) | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO BHVCWG |
| Interpretation of Indicator 7.7.1 (C) | To be updated | Based on Annex 5 of the 2018 RSPO P&C, to be updated for validity, under the RSPO BHVCWG |
| Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP) | To be updated | RaCP v2, to be updated under the RSPO BHVCWG |
| RSPO Peat Audit Guidance | Effective* | |
| RSPO Manual on BMPs for Management and Rehabilitation of Peatlands | Effective* | |
| RSPO Manual on BMPs for Existing Oil Palm Cultivation on Peat | Effective* | |
| RSPO Manual on BMPs for the Management and Rehabilitation of Riparian Reserves | Effective* | |
| RSPO Drainability Assessment Submission Checklist | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO BHVCWG |
| RSPO Fire Report Form | To be updated | To be updated (RSPO Secretariat) |
| RSPO List of Hazardous Pesticides (ref: Indicator 7.1.2) | To be developed | To be updated (RSPO Secretariat) |
| Pesticide Usage Record Template | To be developed | To be updated (RSPO Secretariat) |
| Drainability Assessment Procedure Levelling Template | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO BHVCWG |
| List of Allometric Equations for Different Vegetation Types and Regions | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO BHVCWG |
| RSPO List of Invasive Species (ref: Indicator 7.1.6 and 7.1.7) | To be developed | To be updated under the RSPO BHVCWG |
| RSPO Manual on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Steep Terrain Conservation and Management | In development | To be finalised under the RSPO BHCVWG |
| RSPO Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Soil | To be developed | NEW. To be developed by the RSPO BHCVWG |
| RSPO Guidance on Changes in HCV Conditions and Status | To be developed | NEW. To be developed by the RSPO BHCVWG |
| Guide on High Carbon Stock Approach Requirements for the RSPO | Effective* | |
| Compilation of BMPs to Reduce Total Emissions from Palm Oil Production | Effective* | |
| Guidance on Map Submission for Land Use Change Analysis (LUCA) for Independent Smallholders | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO BHVCWG |
| High Forest Cover Countries (HFCC) Procedure | To be developed | To be developed by the RSPO BHCVWG |
| RSPO New Planting Procedure (NPP) | To be updated | To be updated (RSPO Secretariat) |
| RSPO Management System Requirements and Guidance for Group Certification of FFB Production | Effective* | Note: This document may be revised as part of the upcoming SCC Standard revision |
| RSPO Supply Chain Certification (SCC) Standard | Effective* | Note: SCC Standard revision expected to begin in 1H 2025. Until a revised SCC Standard is approved and effective, the 2020 SCC Standard shall be valid |
| RSPO Rules on Market Communications and Claims | Effective* |
* Documents listed with an Effective status are currently endorsed supplementary/derivative documents supporting the 2018 RSPO P&C that remain valid for the implementation/compliance of the 2024 RSPO P&C. However, these documents may undergo a minor, non-substantive update to align its content e.g., with revised numbering or references of the 2024 RSPO P&C.
List of supplementary/derivative documents of 2024 RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard
| Document | Status | Progress |
| Minimum required Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Independent Smallholders | To be developed | NEW. To be developed by the RSPO Smallholder Standing Committee (SHSC) |
| RSPO Simplified Guide on Free, Prior, and Informed Consent for Independent Smallholders | In development | To be finalised by the RSPO HRWG |
| Guidance on Child Rights for Smallholders and Group Managers | Effective* | |
| Guidance Document on the Simplified High Conservation Value (HCV) Approach for Smallholders in the RSPO – Introduction Document (Phases 1 and 2) | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO BHCVWG |
| Guidance Document for Smallholders on Managing High Conservation Values (HCVs) in Established Oil Palm Plantations – Existing Plantings (Phases 3 and 4) | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO BHCVWG |
| Guidance Document on the Simplified High Conservation Value (HCV) Approach for Smallholders in the RSPO – HCV Procedures for New Plantings (Phases 3 and 4) | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO BHCVWG |
| Guidance for ISH Group Manager Independent Smallholder – Land Use Risk Identification (IS-LURI) | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO Independent Smallholder No Deforestation Task Force (IS-NDTF) |
| Forest Protection Approach (FPA) | In development | To be developed under the RSPO IS-NDTF |
| RSPO Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP) process for smallholders | To be updated | RaCP v2, to be updated under the RSPO BHVCWG |
| Simplified GHG Assessment Procedure for New Development (Reference Tool for Smallholders) | To be updated | To be updated under the RSPO GHGTF, in line with the “GHG Assessment Procedure for New Development” for the RSPO P&C |
| RSPO Smallholder Best Management Practices Manual for Existing Oil Palm Cultivation on Peat | Effective* | |
| RSPO ISH Flood Risk Assessment Template | Effective* | |
| Simplified Guide Management and Rehabilitation of Riparian Reserves | Effective* |
* Documents listed with an Effective status are currently endorsed supplementary/derivative documents supporting the 2019 RSPO ISH Standard that remain valid for the implementation/compliance of the 2024 RSPO ISH Standard. However, these documents may undergo a minor, non-substantive update to align content e.g., with revised numbering or references of the 2024 RSPO ISH Standard.
National Interpretations
RSPO encourages all palm oil producing countries to comply with the general 2024 RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) and 2024 RSPO Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard, but allows for members in a specific country to initiate a National Interpretation (NI) process that contextualises the 2024 RSPO P&C and ISH Standard at a national level. Until an NI has been developed for a specific country and endorsed by the RSPO Board of Governors (BoG), the applicable RSPO Standard in that country is the general 2024 RSPO P&C and/or the 2024 RSPO ISH Standard.
The NI process shall be led and managed by RSPO Members. An NI process may be initiated through a formal request addressed to the RSPO Secretariat, and written approval from RSPO is required to proceed. A NI process must be:
- Initiated within 24 months of the formal adoption of the general 2024 RSPO P&C and the 2024 RSPO ISH Standard (before 13 November 2026)
- Developed within 36 months of the formal adoption of the general 2024 RSPO P&C and the 2024 RSPO ISH Standard (before 13 November 2027)
- RSPO recommends that NI processes (especially for countries with existing NIs of the 2018 RSPO P&C and/or the 2019 RSPO ISH Standard) complete development within 12 months of the formal adoption of the general 2024 RSPO P&C and the 2024 RSPO ISH Standard (before 13 November 2025)
As stated in Section 9 of the RSPO Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Standard Setting, NIs must be fully consistent with the general RSPO Standards. RSPO certificate holders must be fully compliant with the new version of an NI within 12 months of the NI being endorsed by the BoG.
Simplified step-by-step process for National Interpretations
| Phase | Action |
| NI Task Force (NI TF) Formation | The member(s) chooses to begin the NI process, and send a formal request to initiate the NI process for a country to RSPO ([email protected]). Formal acknowledgement of the request to initiate the NI shall be required. |
| The initiating member(s) shall send a request to RSPO ([email protected]) to post an announcement/call for expression of interest (EOI) in joining the NI TF on the RSPO website.
The EOI shall be valid for at least 20 calendar days, with a recommendation of 30 calendar days. |
|
| The initiating member(s) shall form the NI TF with balanced representation and membership requirements, and request written approval by the RSPO to proceed with the NI TF by sending an email to the RSPO Secretariat ([email protected]).
Note: If the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the NI TF does not meet all the requirements stated in the RSPO SOP (especially in terms of balanced representation), endorsement from the RSPO Standards Standing Committee (SSC) shall be required. |
|
| Developing the NI | The NI TF shall develop the draft NI according to the process and content requirements stated in the RSPO SOP, and submit the draft NI to RSPO prior to starting the public consultation process. |
| RSPO shall provide written approval or comments for the draft and the NI TF shall revise the draft NI accordingly. | |
| Public Consultation | The NI TF shall inform RSPO of an intended public consultation, at least 30 days before the public consultation period commences and submit all the draft NI documents for comments. Draft NI documents shall be submitted in English and/or appropriate national languages. |
| RSPO shall upload the draft NI documents on the RSPO website and the NI TF shall upload the draft NI documents on a country-based website. | |
| The public consultation shall be carried out for at least 60 calendar days. | |
| The NI TF shall document all comments and make amendments accordingly. | |
| Revising the NI | The NI TF shall submit the draft NI (with public consultation comments incorporated) and process report to RSPO, which shall review, and issue corrective action requests (if any) and the NI TF shall make those corrections accordingly. |
| RSPO shall submit the revised and completed NI documents to the RSPO Standards Standing Committee (SSC) for approval, or to issue corrective action requests (if any). | |
| Endorsement | Upon approval of the NI documents, the SSC shall forward the documents to the RSPO BoG for endorsement. |
| The RSPO BoG shall review the NI documents for potential endorsement. | |
| Publication | Upon endorsement, the NI TF shall proceed with the publication of the NI documents. The finalised copy shall be submitted to RSPO to be uploaded on the RSPO website. |
| NI Process completed | |
National Interpretations Templates and Guidance
RSPO Standard Operating Procedure for Standard Setting and Review 2020 (Revised)
2024 RSPO Standards NI TF ToR Template [to be available soon]
2024 RSPO P&C NI Editing Template (Draft) [to be available soon]
2024 RSPO ISH NI Editing Template (Draft) [to be available soon]
RSPO NI Process Report Template [to be available soon]
RSPO NI Process Checklist [to be available soon]
RSPO NI Summary Slide Template [to be available soon]
(Guidance) NI Reference Notes* [to be available soon]
* To assist members, to support NI TFs, and to optimise the development timeline for all National Interpretations, the RSPO Secretariat shall develop NI Reference Notes summarising and indicating changes agreed upon and made in previous NIs of the 2018 RSPO P&C or the 2019 RSPO ISH Standard. Development of the NI Reference Notes shall be prioritised for countries that have already initiated a NI process for the 2024 RSPO Standards.
List of initiated National Interpretations of the 2024 RSPO P&C and 2024 RSPO ISH Standards
| No | Country | Status | Secretariat Focal Points |
*This table is to be updated regularly.
Socialisation of revised Standards
To support RSPO Members and accredited Certification Bodies in preparing for implementation of, and compliance with, the 2024 RSPO Principles and Criteria and the 2024 RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard, RSPO is planning continuous engagement activities (physical and virtual) in 2025 and beyond for members and auditors, to socialise the changes and requirements of the 2024 RSPO Standards.
RSPO will be publishing a list of confirmed engagement activities (including CB Forums, RSPO events, etc.) once an initial calendar for 2025 has been developed and confirmed. The calendar will be regularly updated.
Training
RSPO is developing the RSPO Learning Centre and updating the training curriculum to reflect the requirements of the revised 2024 RSPO Standards and the revised Certification Systems document. More information will be made available and regularly updated in this section, once timelines and processes have been finalised.
