InfoSAWIT, KUALA LUMPUR — The world of sustainable palm oil is entering a new chapter. In his keynote speech at the RSPO Annual Roundtable Conference on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT2025), Joseph D'Cruz, CEO of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), affirmed that the direction of sustainability is no longer measured solely by certificates or certified area size, but by the tangible impact on the ground—ranging from resilient communities and protected forests to empowered farmers.
"We all realize that certification is merely the starting point in the sustainability journey. The world is now moving beyond label-based measurement and beginning to demand proof of real results," D'Cruz stated to conference participants in Kuala Lumpur on Monday (3/11/2025).
D’Cruz mentioned that RSPO is transitioning from a "badge economy" to a world that prioritizes evidence-based results and measurable impact. To this end, RSPO is reorganizing the support provided to its members to enable them to adjust to these changes.
A key step is the implementation of the new RSPO 2024 standards, which will take effect at the end of this month, covering the Principles & Criteria (P&C) and the Independent Smallholders Standard. The revised Supply Chain Certification Standard is scheduled for endorsement in September 2026.
"These new standards are more aligned with current market and regulatory needs, including the protection of forests, human rights, and the welfare of smallholders," he explained.
As part of its digital transformation, RSPO also launched 'prisma'—a platform that serves as a central data hub for certification, trade, and traceability. D'Cruz explained that prisma was built with RSPO members to ensure real-time access to credible data, supporting regulatory audits, risk assessment, and sustainability proof at the product level for global brands.
D'Cruz also outlined RSPO's three strategic priorities: Driving global market growth, Making RSPO membership a strategic advantage for industry players, and Increasing organizational effectiveness globally. To expand the market, RSPO will strengthen the visibility and value of smallholder production in global markets, including deepening partnerships in China, Africa, the Middle East, and Japan. (T2)
