MSPO

Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil

Ensuring sustainable palm oil production

Palm oil is the most popular and affordable vegetable oil in the world with a wide range of uses ranging from food to cosmeceuticals. It is more resource efficient than other vegetable oils. The palm oil industry is expected to be worth US$88 billion by 2022. The sector also employs about 6 million people worldwide. But palm oil production has also caused deforestation and community conflict in the tropical countries where it is cultivated. In order to ensure palm oil production is managed in a sustainable manner without taking a toll on fragile ecosystems, rules and controls need to be established. Sustainable palm oil production is concerned with making businesses profitable while not adversely affecting the people or environment.

What is MSPO?

The MSPO Certification Scheme is the national scheme in Malaysia for palm oil production certification. MSPO is the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil standard against which companies involved in palm oil production are certified. MPOCC, the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council, is the MSPO scheme owner and operator. The MSPO certification provides an effective, sustainable and responsible management system that positively impacts social, environmental and economic aspects of palm oil production while mitigating negative impacts. The MSPO standard is in accordance with many existing national laws and regulations in the management of palm oil production.

MSPO is based on 7 principles

  • Management commitment and responsibility
  • Transparency
  • Compliance to legal requirements
  • Social responsibility, health, safety and suitable employment conditions
  • Environment, natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystem
  • Best practices
  • Development of new plantings

Who needs MSPO?

MSPO certifies:

  • Oil palm plantations
  • Independent and organized smallholdings
  • Palm oil processing facilities
  • Companies in the supply chain that refine, process, transform, distribute, manufacture and trade palm oil products

What are the different MSPO standards?

There are 3 separate standards under the current MSPO scheme:

MSPO 2530-2: Requirements for independent smallholders

MSPO 2530-3: Requirements for oil palm plantations & organized smallholders

MSPO 2530-4: Requirements for palm oil mill

Key benefits of MSPO certification

  • Improves management standards
  • Promotes sustainable forest management
  • Enhances biodiversity
  • Enhances social responsibility 
  • Improved efficiency leads to economic benefits
  • Compliance with health and safety policies
  • Compliance with legal and contractor requirements
  • Access to existing and new markets

Certification procedure

  • Application
  • Stage I Audit
  • Stage II Audit
  • Peer Review
  • Issuance of Certification
  • Surveillance Audit
  • Recertification