InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Nine major European retailers have been recognized as top performers on the RSPO Shared Responsibility Scorecard, an assessment measuring the commitment of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) members to collective responsibility in promoting palm oil sustainability.
According to the European Supermarket Magazine, as reported by InfoSAWIT on Monday (18/8/2025), the top-performing retailers are Marks & Spencer, Edeka, John Lewis Partnership, IKEA, Greggs, Bidfood, Co-op, Lidl, and REWE. They secured top positions thanks to their strong commitment to using Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO).
The RSPO emphasizes that all its members have a shared responsibility to ensure sustainable palm oil. While palm oil producers must implement RSPO standards in their cultivation practices, non-producer members—including retailers—are obligated to drive demand for CSPO. For the retail sector, the assessment covers five key aspects: transparency and legality, social, environmental, funding, and the level of CSPO adoption.
Company Commitments
Some specific achievements of these retailers include:
Marks & Spencer: Sourced 100% CSPO and funded a program in Sabah, Malaysia, supporting 500 smallholders to maintain their certification and helping an additional 133 farmers achieve RSPO certification by 2025.
Edeka: Sourced 99.97% CSPO and is a member of the German Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP), collaborating with WWF Germany to build a sustainable palm oil supply chain.
John Lewis Partnership: In addition to 100% CSPO uptake, it encourages its suppliers to make commitments with clear timelines toward a sustainable palm oil supply chain.
IKEA: Primarily uses palm oil for candle products. The palm oil used is RSPO segregated certified, ensuring it is responsibly grown and processed.
Greggs: Ensures 100% CSPO supply and is a partner in the Sustainable Palm Oil City Project in the UK.
Bidfood UK: All its palm oil-based own-brand products for the catering sector are 100% RSPO certified, affirming its commitment to positive change.
Co-op: With 100% CSPO uptake, it has partnered with Chester Zoo to reforest 50,000 trees and conduct biodiversity research on ex-plantation land, while also supporting smallholders in Malaysia through Solidaridad.
Lidl: Actively participates in a smallholder project in Indonesia with FONAP, which includes training on environmental practices, cultivation technology, geolocation data collection, and women's empowerment.
REWE: Private-label products at REWE, PENNY, and Lekkerland in Germany, as well as REWE Group in Austria, are all 100% RSPO certified. REWE is also a founding member of FONAP since 2013. (T2)
