The RSPO Secretariat would like to announce that the Assurance Standing Committee (ASC) has agreed to extend the Interim Measures for Disclosure and Continuity of Certification for RSPO P&C and RSPO ISH Standard that were published on 7 September 2021 until the publication of Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP) version 2.
It was previously announced that the Biodiversity High Conservation Value Working Group (BHCVWG) will develop a protocol on disclosure for recertification; however, due to repetitive elements in the Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP), it has been decided that the protocol would be incorporated into the RaCP version 2, which is expected to be endorsed in 2024.
The interim measures, which were previously endorsed by the ASC and will be extended, are as follows:
| Scenario | Description | Interim Measures |
| Scenario 1 |
Certified Unit of Certification (UoC) and no change in the scope of disclosure submitted to the RSPO Secretariat. All information matches; e.g. name of supply bases, total land area in hectares. |
Status quo. Can proceed with recertification. |
| Scenario 2 | Certified Unit of Certification (UoC) and may have potential undeclared liability within the certified unit.
Discrepancy detected during documentation check of the Public Audit Announcement. Inconsistencies between scope of audit, RaCP records and the Public Audit Announcement submitted for recertification. |
The previously certified Unit of Certification (UoC) can proceed with recertification under the condition that the affected UoCs resolve the issue following the protocol that would be incorporated into RaCP version 2.
No NCs and OFIs should be raised, but CBs shall register the information with the RSPO Secretariat and follow up on its status before the next audit. |
| Scenario 3 | Certified Units of Certification (UoC) that have added areas or scope of audit (during ASA or RC) and there are inconsistencies in documentation; i.e. between scope of audit, RaCP records and the Public Audit Announcement submitted for recertification. | The additional areas are to be excluded from the scope of recertification until the RaCP process (if applicable) for the additional areas has been completed. |
The interim measures apply to all previously certified management units as well as management units that are part of the company’s Time-Bound Plan. However, RSPO Members are recommended to update their management unit information on a regular basis to facilitate the recertification process.
For any queries or further clarification, please contact [email protected]
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