Impact of Flooding in Sumatra and Interim Measures

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) acknowledges the severe flooding that has recently affected several regions in Indonesia, notably North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. These events have had a significant impact on RSPO members, including growers, certified supply chain facilities and independent smallholders, disrupting operations, access to plantations, and normal business activities.

RSPO recognises that the current situation presents substantial limitations in conducting on-site audits, including certification, surveillance, and re-certification audits, due to restricted access, safety concerns, and the prioritisation of recovery efforts by affected members and local communities.

In light of these circumstances, RSPO is committed to responding in a pragmatic and responsible manner. RSPO will therefore develop an Interim Measure allowing a time extension for a maximum of 12 months*) to address audit-related and certification implications arising from the floods. These measures are intended to provide temporary flexibility while maintaining the integrity of the RSPO certification system and ensuring that affected members are treated fairly and consistently. The time extension can be granted following the scenarios below:

Scenario 1: The UoC licence has expired.

RSPO may allow a one-month extension starting from 24 November 2025, following a request made by the affected member or the Certification Body. This extension enables the Certification Body to conduct a Risk Evaluation to determine whether the audit can proceed. Where the Risk Evaluation confirms that the audit is feasible, the Certification Body shall conduct the audit in accordance with the RSPO Contingency Audit Procedure for the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) or the Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard – Version 2 or RSPO Contingency Audit Procedure for Supply Chain Standard – Version 2. Where the Risk Evaluation concludes that the audit cannot be conducted, the Certification Body may request an additional six-month time extension.

Towards the end of the extended licence period, the Certification Body is required to conduct a further Risk Evaluation to reassess audit feasibility. Where the audit is deemed feasible, the Certification Body shall proceed in accordance with the applicable RSPO Contingency Audit Procedure. Where the audit remains unfeasible, the Certification Body may request a final additional time extension of up to five months.

Scenario 2: The UoC license will expire within the next 1 month or less.

RSPO will grant a one-month time extension upon request by the Certification Body, effective from 24 November 2025. This extension enables the Certification Body to conduct a Risk Evaluation to determine audit feasibility. Where the Risk Evaluation confirms that the audit can be conducted, the Certification Body shall proceed in accordance with the RSPO Contingency Audit Procedure for the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) or the Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard – Version 2 or RSPO Contingency Audit Procedure for Supply Chain Standard – Version 2. Where the Risk Evaluation concludes that the audit cannot be conducted, the Certification Body may request an additional six-month time extension.

Towards the end of the extended licence period, the Certification Body is required to conduct a further Risk Evaluation to reassess audit feasibility. Where the audit is deemed feasible, the Certification Body shall proceed in accordance with the applicable RSPO Contingency Audit Procedure. Where the audit remains unfeasible, the Certification Body may request a final additional time extension of up to five months.

Scenario 3: The UoC license will expire in more than 1 month.

The Certification Body shall continue the current process without an immediate licence time extension and is required to conduct a Risk Evaluation to determine audit feasibility. Where the Risk Evaluation confirms that the audit can be conducted, the Certification Body shall proceed in accordance with the RSPO Contingency Audit Procedure for the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) or the Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard – Version 2 or RSPO Contingency Audit Procedure for Supply Chain Standard – Version 2. Where the Risk Evaluation concludes that the audit cannot be conducted, the Certification Body may request a six-month time extension.

Towards the end of the extended licence period, the Certification Body is required to conduct a further Risk Evaluation to reassess audit feasibility. Where the audit is deemed feasible, the Certification Body shall proceed in accordance with the applicable RSPO Contingency Audit Procedure. Where the audit remains unfeasible, the Certification Body may request a final additional time extension of up to six months.

RSPO appreciates the cooperation and understanding of Certification Bodies and RSPO members during this challenging period and remains committed to supporting growers and independent smallholders affected by this natural disaster.

For further enquiries regarding these interim measures, please contact the RSPO Certification Helpdesk.

*) calculated from the anniversary date of the certificate.