RSPO and FONAP Strengthen Sustainable Palm Oil in Germany with Reciprocal Membership

Berlin, Germany: The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and FONAP (Forum Nachhaltiges Palmöl e.V.) have reached a new milestone in their cooperation as they enter into reciprocal membership, reinforcing their shared commitment to advancing the sustainable production and consumption of palm oil in Germany and globally.

FONAP was founded in Berlin on 11 November 2015 as a multi-stakeholder initiative and has grown into a strong alliance for sustainable palm oil, bringing together companies, civil society, and political actors. Today, FONAP has around 55 members and undertakes a range of projects and partnerships along the palm oil supply chain, including certification improvements and on-the-ground activities in producer countries. 

As part of this strengthened partnership, RSPO has joined FONAP as a member and is actively contributing to FONAP’s thematic working groups. At the same time, FONAP has joined RSPO as an Environmental NGO under Ordinary Membership, with a particular focus on supporting and implementing projects on the ground. This reciprocal membership will enable closer collaboration, regular exchange, and joint activities for the benefit of both organisations’ members.

Germany: Largest RSPO membership base in Europe

Germany plays a central role in the European palm oil market and within RSPO. With more than 400 members, Germany hosts the largest RSPO membership base in Europe. Certification and Trademark figures are also notable, with 623 RSPO Certified supply chain facilities in the country and over RSPO Trademark Licences. 

Beyond these numbers, German stakeholders have consistently contributed valuable ideas and feedback that have helped shape RSPO’s work in recent years.

Francesca Morgante, RSPO Head Global Key Accounts and Market Transformation for Europe reflects on the partnership, “As regulatory requirements evolve, the sustainable sourcing of palm oil, palm kernel oil, and their derivatives is becoming increasingly important, alongside continued support for smallholder farmers. RSPO is therefore pleased to join FONAP as a member and looks forward to further strengthening cooperation to support companies and advance sustainable palm oil supply chains.”

“The reciprocal membership of FONAP and RSPO will enable us to open a new chapter in our cooperation and work together to strengthen sustainable and resilient palm oil supply chains. In view of increasing global challenges, including advancing ecological risks such as climate change and biodiversity loss, we need more cooperation than ever before. Thus, we welcome the RSPO’s membership and look forward to working on existing hot spots and tackling new initiatives,” says Sascha Tischer, Deputy Chairman of the FONAP Board.

As an RSPO Ordinary member, FONAP will have voting rights at the RSPO General Assembly, opportunities to join RSPO committees as a representative of Environmental NGOs, and have greater involvement in RSPO initiatives, including the next European RSPO Members’ Meet Up, hosted in Hamburg, Germany on 22 January 2026. 

This event will focus on the social impacts in the palm oil supply chain and is exclusive for RSPO Members. Each year, RSPO Members in Europe meet to discuss the latest developments in the sector, as well as shared challenges and opportunities around regulation and communications.

About FONAP:

The Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP) is a Multi-Stakeholder Partnership with more than 50 full and supporting members, including companies, non-governmental organizations, associations, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH), and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The aim of FONAP e. V. is to promote sustainable agricultural supply chains with a focus on palm oil. Since its foundation in 2015, FONAP has been committed to more sustainable oil palm cultivation in the countries of origin. The aim is to increase the purchase of certified palm oil for food, feed, and chemical products, and to take into account and ensure human rights along the entire supply chain. Companies participate in the multi-stakeholder partnership to address challenges such as working on their human rights due diligence obligations and certification issues jointly. FONAP members can participate in various ways, e.g., through exchanges at specialist events, participation in working groups, or support for a FONAP member project.

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