RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) Certification

Become a Member of RSPO
Ensure that you have RSPO membership. To apply, visit http://www.rspo.org/members/apply.

Apply for Certification
Complete and submit the SCS Application form. SCS will prepare a proposal for your approval with suggested scope of work, timeline and quote. If the proposal meets your needs, you sign a Work Order and the audit is scheduled.

Written Procedures
Create company procedures that demonstrate how sustainable palm oil will be produced and tracked throughout your operation. SCS provides guidance to help explain the Principles & Criteria (P&C) requirements.

Pre-Audit Assessment (Optional)
An SCS auditor will review your procedures for thoroughness and conformance. The auditor identifies areas for improvement in the procedures prior to the audit.

Public Announcement
At least 30 days prior to RSPO initial certification and re-certification evaluations, SCS will send a written notification of the upcoming audit to interested parties, called stakeholders. Additionally, SCS will post a notification of the evaluation on the RSPO Assessment Progress website.

On-site Audit
During a site visit, an SCS auditor will review the P&C procedures and documents (from receipt of inputs to the final sale). Additionally, the auditor will tour the operations and plantations where certified material is handled and interview key staff. Stakeholder consultation is an integral part of the assessments. We look for evidence that staff has been duly trained in the P&C responsibilities that have been assigned to them and that staff possess an understanding of the workflow for certified products.

Assessment Report
Based on audit findings, SCS produces an audit report, which is submitted to a SCS Technical Associate who validates the appropriateness of the auditor's methodology and conclusions.

Certification Decision
SCS head office makes a certification decision. If granted, you will be issued a certificate valid for a five-year period. Any conditional Major Corrective Action Requests (CARs) identified in the audit must be closed prior to obtaining certification.

Maintain Certification
Annual surveillance audits are required to maintain P&C certification. Certified companies are listed on the official RSPO Certified Growers database and are given an RSPO trademark for usage in conformance with the trademark requirements.

• With SCS, you’ll work with auditors that are employed in your region and understand the local context
• Expand your access to supply chain markets with a growing number of brands and customers who require RSPO certified palm oil
• Perform due diligence and reduce risk at your site by implementing the P&C Standard, which enforces no deforestation, shared responsibility, social compliance, and more
• Display transparency and credibility with stakeholders and customers
• Be recognized as a contributor to RSPO’s global leadership in sustainable palm oil

How long is my RSPO certificate valid?
A RSPO Certificate is valid for five years. Annual surveillance audits are required to maintain your certificate.

What are the costs and fees associated with RSPO certification?
Prices for SCS auditing services varies depending on the location, size and complexity of your operation. Please contact us for a custom quote and to determine if certification is right for you.

What is the difference between RSPO Principles & Criteria (P&C) and RSPO Supply Chain Certification System (SCCS)?
RSPO P&C is for oil palm growers and palm oil mills that want to demonstrate their commitment sustainable production, and RSPO SCCS is for downstream processors and traders that want to assure consumers and buyers of palm oil products that their palm oil is sustainable and more environmentally friendly. Learn more about RSPO SCCS certification here.

What other certifications does SCS offer in addition to RSPO?
SCS is a sustainability focused company, providing services in every industry for meeting your organization’s sustainability and circular economy goals such as International Sustainably and Carbon Certification (ISCC) for biofuels, Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), Bonsucro Certification for sugarcane, Zero Waste Certification, and a multitude of Greenhouse Gas Verification, measurement, and management services. Ask us for more information.

SCS’s RSPO P&C Program actively works in 10 countries. We have local offices in Ghana, Brazil, Mexico, and Indonesia, and we employ local auditors that work in and understand the local context.

Map of SCS’ RSPO Certified Clients

All companies currently certified according to the requirements of the RSPO Principles and Criteria Certification Standard (RSPO P&C) can be found using RSPO P&C Certificate Holder database.

To search for all companies certified by SCS Global Services, select SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) within the "Certification Body" dropdown menu.

"To all SCS Global Services team, thank you for being respectful and patient with us throughout the stressful process of completion and obtention of our certificate. We really appreciate your empathy, humility, and your commitment to Goldtree Holdings. You are always welcome."

- Rosine Nsegbe, Sustainability/RSPO Manager, Goldtree Holdings RSPO Independent Smallholder Certification in Sierra Leone

"A special thanks to Adriana Cala for her professionalism, expertise, and the approach used during the certification audit to explain the Gap and the auditors' expectations vis-à-vis the supply chain certification. This approach has gone a long way to expand our view on our supply chain system which was helpful to improve our system."

- Rosine Nsegbe, Sustainability/RSPO Manager, Goldtree Holdings RSPO Independent Smallholder Certification in Sierra Leone