Certified Palm Oil as the Sustainable Alternative

As members of SASPO, companies receive guidance through 1-on-1s, workshops, resources and trainings to help:

  • Navigate the complexities of palm oil in their supply chains;
  • Set meaningful time-bound commitments to source 100% RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO); and
  • Identify innovative ways to support a sustainable palm oil sector

What is RSPO, and why does SASPO support it?

Committing to sourcing 100% RSPO CSPO is the first step in a company’s sustainable palm oil journey.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is deemed the most credible, independent, international, and transparent multi-stakeholder standard and certification scheme with the capacity to continue the supply of CSPO to the global market.

CSPO produced according to RSPO standards provides assurance that tropical forests have not been cleared, and environmental and social safeguards have been met during production of palm oil.


Meaningful Positive Impact

By committing to source 100% RSPO CSPO, businesses are contributing to positive environmental and social impacts in Singapore and in the region:

  • CSPO is produced without causing deforestation, the conversion of natural ecosystems, environmental degradation, or the harming of wildlife.
  • CSPO is produced in a manner which treats workers fairly, respects the rights of local communities and indigenous people, and incentivises and empowers producers including smallholder farmers with the means to adopt more responsible production practices as a part of sustainable livelihoods
  • CSPO does not contribute to transboundary haze

Sustainable Supply Chain Options

CSPO can be traded through four supply chain models approved by the RSPO:

In the IP and SG supply chain models, RSPO-certified palm oil is kept separate from uncertified palm oil, while the MB model allows for the mixing of certified and uncertified palm oil throughout the supply chain. By contrast, Book & Claim credits act as an offset for conventional palm oil that enters a company’s supply chain.

Sourcing palm oil from physical supplies of RSPO CSPO via the IP or SG models offers the most robust way for companies to ensure that the palm oil they use is deforestation- and conversion-free.

Book & Claim Credits offer a good starting point for companies that are at the beginning of their sustainable palm oil journey and are also a useful top-up measure used by companies to reach their target of sourcing 100% RSPO CSPO.

As RSPO certification is independently verified by third party auditors, companies procuring CSPO through these methods can make public claims to source sustainable palm oil.

Read more about the different supply chain models on the RSPO website and in SASPO’s Business Guide to Sustainable Palm Oil.


Group Certification Scheme

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) looking to source certified sustainable palm oil are sometimes faced with the challenge of membership and audit costs.

Group certification offers independent organizations (procuring less than 500 metric tonnes of palm oil annually) the option to join a group that splits the direct costs of obtaining RSPO-certification, effectively lowering the cost barrier to entry. SASPO is working together with a consultant to offer this scheme to our members.

For more information on Group Certification contact us.


Companies can leverage a number of tools to ensure the palm oil they source is produced sustainably.

Accountability Framework

The Accountability Framework is a comprehensive guide for companies wishing to achieve ethical supply chains across any agricultural and forest commodity, including palm oil.

The website provides guidance on setting, implementing, and reporting on commitments to address deforestation/conversion and respect human rights, including:

Click the Contact Us button to reach out to our team to talk about setting meaningful commitments with SASPO and achieving an ethical palm oil supply chain for your company.

Contact us for more information on SASPO!