Transition Measure for Indicator 6.8.3 of the 2024 Principles and Criteria

Acknowledging the challenges faced by members in implementing Indicator 6.8.3 (C), the following Transition Measure is proposed as guidance for certified members to meet the requirement:

Indicator 6.8.3 (C): The Unit of Certification shall repay active workers (as of, and from, the adoption date of the RSPO Principles and Criteria 2024) who have paid recruitment fees or related costs.

Registration of cases:

All Unit of Certification who are unable to fully implement this requirement by 1 June 2026 must register their case with the RSPO Certification Unit by registering through an RSPO-administered online registration form (Qualtrics) by 31 May 2026:

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This is only applicable to Unit of Certification undergoing audits (Initial Certification, Annual Surveillance Audit, and Recertification) after the effective date of the RSPO Principles & Criteria 2024.

Submission of data and repayment plan:

Once the case is registered, the Unit of Certification shall submit the following to their respective Certification Bodies (CBs) during the pre-audit phase for Initial, Surveillance or Recertification Audit, in line with CB procedures:

1. Report on the implementation, progress and challenges with evidence showing the status of repayment, including:

• Total number of active workers as of 13 November 2024 and all subsequent recruitments.
• Number of workers already repaid, and
• Number of workers yet to be repaid.

2. Stepwise repayment plan outlining actions and projected timeline.

• The final deadline for full compliance must not go beyond 12 November 2026.

CB evaluation:

The CBs shall review the Unit of Certification’s progress against the submitted action plan, through existing audit mechanisms, ensuring that implementation is on track and aligned with the requirement for full compliance no later than 12 November 2026.

Non-compliance consequences:

Failure to fulfil the requirement of Indicator 6.8.3 (C) by the agreed final deadline will result in a major non-compliance raised by the CBs, which may lead to suspension of the certificate.

Validity Period:

This Transition Measure is effective from 1 June 2026 until 12 November 2026.

Resources

• Transition Measure for Indicator 6.8.3 (PDF)
• RSPO Case Registration Form (Qualtrics)