RSPO Forum for Members and Certification Bodies 2025: Strengthening Capacities and Building Bridges with RSPO Members

In May 2025, the RSPO hosted a new edition of the Forum for Members and Certification Bodies, held in Bogotá, Colombia. The event brought together nearly 90 participants, including members, certification bodies, and consultants from Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Mexico. Over the course of five days, attendees engaged in close and interactive sessions aimed at strengthening technical capacities, sharing key updates, and continuing to build a cohesive community around sustainable palm oil.

During the first two days of the event, participants were introduced to the new RSPO Standards approved in November 2024, including the Principles and Criteria (P&C) and the Independent Smallholder (ISH). Special emphasis was placed on the key updates and the evolution of both standards in their latest versions. Their alignment with current and upcoming regulations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Human Rights Due Diligence, UK Forest Risk, and the United States Forest Act was also explored in depth to help members better prepare for these frameworks.

One of the highlights of the forum was the participation of a team of nine experts from RSPO’s Standards and Assurance units, based at the organization’s headquarters in Malaysia. Their specialized knowledge in areas such as human rights, biodiversity, climate change, remediation and compensation, land use change analysis (LUCA), certification, supply chains, and due diligence enabled them to address technical questions, offer direct support, and enhance the quality of dialogue throughout the event.

The agenda also included a hands-on training session on prisma, RSPO’s new platform for certification, trade, and traceability. Designed to improve the efficiency of certification processes, prisma provides real-time data and analysis to RSPO members. The training covered modules used by both members and auditors, ensuring an engaging and practical learning experience.

The forum concluded with sessions dedicated to certification bodies, and for the first time in its history, a joint session with members was held to discuss key indicators and promote operational alignment.

“This joint effort reaffirms our commitment to the region: to be present, to listen, to train, and to respond. The high level of participation and positive feedback reflect Latin America’s growing leadership in the future of sustainable palm oil,” said Diego Pierrend, RSPO Technical Manager for Latin America.