RSPO response to Member allegations in Guatemala and Honduras

Update 14 June 2024

The RSPO is aware of the recent report “In the shadow of the oil palm”, produced by the Christian Initiative Romero (CIR) and the grievances published by Foodwatch and the European Council for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) which implicate several RSPO Members, including NaturAceites, a  Certified Grower Member. We also note the rising concerns amongst stakeholders along the supply chain.

The RSPO Secretariat assures concerned parties that it has taken the necessary steps to review the allegations stated in these reports, with regard to the quality of the audits and the RSPO assurance process, and that it is working closely with the Members involved to gain a full understanding of the situation. 

The RSPO certification process is one of several systems in place to ensure that RSPO certified members abide by the standards. To ensure the credibility of the RSPO Standards, independent and third-party auditors play a key role in certification. This means that, in order to prevent a conflict of interest, the allocation or retraction of RSPO certifications is not decided by the RSPO but by an independent Certification Body (CB). The CBs that offer RSPO Certification services are in turn accredited by an independent Assurance Body (AB), Assurance Services International (ASI). This system of independent checks and balances is developed to ensure the certification process remains fair and impartial. At the request of the RSPO Secretariat, ASI has conducted a comprehensive review of the audit reports, identifying areas of concern. Consequently, ASI will continue to closely oversee the ensuing processes.

The CB that conducted the 2023 RSPO audits mentioned in the above reports is no longer accredited to audit against the 2018 RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C), following a voluntary reduction of its accreditation scope by the ASI in August 2023. The RSPO Secretariat has been informed by ASI that the transfer of the certificates to Control Union has been completed. Due to delays in the transfer and complexities with scheduling, the r next annual audits are now scheduled to take place in August. To facilitate this process, the RSPO may provide an extension of the audit timeline on a case by case basis. The audits will be done by Control Union and overseen and monitored by ASI, taking into account the findings of their overview of the previous audit reports. NaturAceites has expressed to RSPO its continued commitment to transparency and interest in supporting all processes related to the verification of good practices in labour, environmental and social issues as required in the RSPO 2018 P&C. ASI has confirmed its intention to attend the audits to oversee the execution, with a focus on the allegations mentioned in the various reports. 

The RSPO remains committed to transparency and accountability. A firm part of this objective process is an independent Complaints Panel of eminent individuals from a diverse range of stakeholder groups (including civil society). The RSPO Complaints Panel can launch an investigation if a complaint is lodged and accepted in RSPO’s Complaint System. 

The RSPO is continuing to monitor this case closely with the aim of improving its assurance process where necessary and to ensure that oil palm products are being produced in a responsible and sustainable manner in accordance with the RSPO Standards.