RSPO Gains Global Recognition in 2025 Stakeholder Study

The findings of the third annual RSPO Stakeholder Awareness and Reputation Study revealed that RSPO reputation and advocacy levels remain high and consistent with the previous year’s results. Released in June 2025, the survey also showed a notable increase in global recognition as well as strong support for RSPO to engage more with governments. 

Online surveys were conducted with member and non-member stakeholder categories, composed of oil palm growers, retailers, consumer goods manufacturers, palm oil processors and traders, supply chain associates/group managers, and affiliate individuals and associations.  Interviews were also carried out with influencers outside the supply chain – considered “hard-to-reach” audiences – including banks and investors, academics, research institutions, think tanks, and Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs).

The 2025 report identified strengths such as RSPO’s overall reputation, its position as a leading standard setter, and the credibility of its certification. It outlined opportunities in terms of supporting smallholders, increasing consumer awareness, market expansion, aligning with regulations like EUDR, and promoting the benefits of prisma. 

31% of survey participants noted that perceptions of RSPO have changed for the better, driven by increased knowledge, awareness, and engagement; stronger standards and systems and continuous improvement; and greater market recognition. Negative perceptions among 10% of respondents were driven by complex administration and platform challenges; slow processes and responsiveness; and credibility and transparency. 

The key findings of the 2025 study are as follows: 

• Reputation and advocacy: RSPO’s overall reputation and advocacy levels remain strong and stable compared to 2024. A significant increase in reputation was observed among “influencers outside the supply chain.” Two-thirds of the interviewees acted as advocates for RSPO, a level consistent with the previous year, driven by rigorous certification standards, alignment with sustainability values, and tangible social and environmental impact.  However, it noted that advocacy levels among oil palm growers had dropped significantly from the high in 2024. 
• RSPO continues to be seen as relevant, credible, and impactful, with a notable year-on-year increase in global recognition over the last two to three years.
• There is strong support for RSPO to engage more with governments, both nationally and internationally. The policy engagement work of the RSPO Government Affairs in Brussels was commended by a European think tank as valuable to raising the  profile of credible certification schemes in the context of sustainability regulations. 
• Credibility and effectiveness of RSPO Certification: There is strong agreement with the attributes related to RSPO Certification, in particular its credibility and effectiveness in minimising negative environmental impacts, such as deforestation. Oil palm growers showed the highest familiarity and positive perceptions of RSPO Certification conditions and impacts.
• prisma highlighted as key area for strategic engagement: While the prisma implementation was mentioned spontaneously by 6% of interviewees, often with critical feedback, this presents an opportunity for RSPO to improve on tailored communication and enhanced member support. While not impacting RSPO’s overall reputation, perceptions around member support have declined since 2024, demonstrating a key area for improved and strategic engagement.

Carried out by global reputation research specialists, Echo Research, the survey was commissioned by RSPO to conduct an annual global reputation study across multiple stakeholder audiences, starting in 2023. The main objectives of the study are to track familiarity, perceptions and reputation of RSPO, RSPO Certification, communications and stakeholder engagement, as well as to provide actionable insight for communications strategy and reputation management. 

Recommended actions 

Responding to this year’s key findings, RSPO has taken action on the following:

• Improving responsiveness: Providing clear, solution-oriented responses and actively acknowledging issues, particularly concerning prisma. 
• Continued engagement with governments: Bridging members and governments by translating policy shifts into clear, actionable guidance and providing accessible information and training.
•  Strengthening Member support: Aligning communications with members and enhancing targeting, clarity and accessibility to ensure that content is relevant, easily understandable and in tune with members’ specific needs. 

To view the results of the 2025 study, click here.