The Unit of Certification shall make

publicly available


management documents
specified in the RSPO Principles and Criteria standard. This excludes

confidential information
.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure that process(es)/procedure(s) for consultation and communication with relevant

stakeholders
are documented, implemented, and made available. Explanations of such process(es)/procedure(s) shall be done by a nominated management official(s) in an appropriate language and format.

The Unit of Certification shall maintain a list of relevant

stakeholders
. Records shall be maintained of any requests for information by relevant

stakeholders
, including the UoC’s responses to such requests.

The Unit of Certification shall develop a policy committing to the UoC to a code of ethical conduct in all business

operations
and transactions. The policy shall be communicated to all levels of the

workforce
and

operations
.

The policy shall include, at a minimum:
A) Respect for fair conduct of business; and
B) Prohibition of all forms of corruption,

bribery
, and fraudulent use of funds and resources*.

*National Interpretations should determine relevant national regulations related to anti-corruption.

Process(es) or procedure(s) for managing ethical misconduct shall be developed and implemented.

The Unit of Certification shall identify existing and potential human rights impacts within its

operations
and its direct

suppliers
, through implementation of

Human Rights Due Diligence
(HRDD). Existing and potential human rights impacts identified through the HRDD shall be addressed through an action plan developed by the UoC. The action plan shall be reviewed at least once every 2 years.

Procedural Note
The RSPO Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) shall develop a guidance to assist members and UoCs in their compliance to Indicator 1.3.1 regarding their respective Human Rights Due Diligence obligations.
The RSPO Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) shall develop a list of RSPO-recognised HRDD methodologies e.g., the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, OECD (Refer to Annex 4).

The Unit of Certification shall comply with all applicable and relevant legal requirements*.

*National Interpretations shall determine all applicable national and local laws/regulations, including any ratified international laws and regulations.

A documented system to ensure legal compliance shall be developed and implemented, with process(es) in place to track changes to any applicable and relevant laws/regulations. The system shall include evidence of

legal due diligence
/evaluation of legal compliance of

contractors
.

Evidence* of the Unit of Certification’s legality of land operations shall be available. Legal or authorised boundaries shall be clearly demarcated and visibly maintained, and planting is within these legal or authorised boundaries.

*National Interpretations shall define the evidence required based on the country’s context.

The Unit of Certifcation shall maintain a list of the UoC’s

contractors
.

*

Contractors
involved in activities within the scope of the RSPO Principles and Criteria, including

contractors
providing operational services, supplying labour, or supplying FFB.

All contracts involving the Unit of Certification’s

contractors
shall require the

contractor
to meet and demonstrate compliance to applicable and relevant national and local laws/regulations.

All contracts involving the Unit of Certification’s

contractors
shall disallow the use of

child labour
,

forced/trafficked labour
, and collection of

recruitment fees and related costs
from

workers
by the

contractor
.

For all directly sourced FFB, the mill(s) within the Unit of Certification shall obtain documentation on the FFB origins and legality.

Documentation* shall include:
A)

Geolocation
of the FFB origin;
B) Evidence of legal status of the land (including tenure and user rights) of the supply base or

smallholder
; and
C) Where applicable, evidence of a legal business licence for the buying and selling of FFB.

*National Interpretations shall determine commonly accepted local practices and customs for FFB legality that are generally accepted to be on a par with legal standing or accepted by authorities (e.g., native courts).

For all indirectly sourced FFB, the mill(s) within the Unit of Certification shall

engage
with such

suppliers
to ensure the FFB’s traceability and legality. The UoC shall provide the annual percentage of its indirectly sourced FFB volume with available documentation during audits to demonstrate progress towards traceability and legality.

Documentation* shall include:
A)

Geolocation
of the FFB origin;
B) Evidence of legal status of the land (including tenure and user rights) of the supply base and/or

smallholder
; and
C) Where applicable, evidence of a legal business licence for the buying and selling of FFB.

*National Interpretations shall determine commonly accepted local practices and customs for FFB legality that are generally accepted to be on a par with legal standing or accepted by authorities (e.g., native courts).

The Unit of Certification shall develop a policy or policies to respect the human rights of

Workers
,

Contractors
,

Suppliers
,

Affected Communities
, and

Human Rights Defenders
. The policy or policies shall prohibit

Negative Actions
against affected

stakeholders
including

Human Rights Defenders
, complainants,

whistleblowers
, and/or

community
spokespersons who lodge complaints against the UoC.

The policy or policies shall be

publicly available
.

The policy or policies shall be implemented by the Unit of Certification and its contracted security services. The policy or policies shall be

socialised
to affected

stakeholders
in a language understood by them.

The Unit of Certification shall establish and implement an accessible and impartial grievance system.

The system shall:
A) Ensure

confidentiality
or anonymity, if requested;
B) Be appropriate for potential complainants, especially

workers
and

affected communities
;
C) Take into account any specific needs of women and

children
;
D) Maintain independence and impartiality in handling grievance(s);
E) Not prevent the use of other judicial or

non-judicial processes
independent of the UoC on the same issue by either party; and
F) Provide safeguards to avoid potential reprisals or intimidation of complainant(s) as the result of lodging grievance(s).

The Unit of Certification shall ensure availability, access, and

socialisation
of the grievance system to relevant

stakeholders
, especially

workers
and

affected communities
, in appropriate language(s) and format(s).

Assistance shall be provided to relevant stakeholders including illiterate

stakeholders
or

vulnerable groups
who may face challenges during

socialisation
or gaining access to the grievance system.

The status of grievance(s) shall be recorded, maintained, and kept up-to-date. All grievance(s) raised shall be responded to, and should be resolved or be in the process of resolution.

Records/documentation of grievance(s) shall include:
A) Steps taken to resolve grievance(s);
B) Procedures outlining the timeline in addressing the raised grievance(s);
C) Outcomes of grievance resolution processes;
D) Unresolved grievance(s), including status, issues affecting resolution, and steps taken by UoC for potential resolution; and
E) Verification that a complainant (and their representatives, if any) are updated and informed on the progress and status of a case, in a language they understand.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a long-term business management plan. Where applicable, the plan shall include a jointly-developed business case for

scheme smallholders
.

An annual long-term

replanting
plan shall be developed, and reviewed annually.

The business management plan shall be

reviewed annually by the UoC’s management
to address risks, allow adaptive business planning, and for continuous improvements.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
for its production

operations
aimed at optimising productivity.

The Unit of Certification’s

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
shall be monitored for consistent implementation. Records of monitoring, and any actions taken, shall be maintained and made available.

In any

new plantings
or

operations
including mills, the Unit of Certification shall conduct an independent

social and environmental impact assessment (SEIA)
. The

social and environmental impact assessment (SEIA)
shall be undertaken through

participatory methodology
involving the affected

stakeholders
.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure

social and environmental impact assessment (SEIA)
are available, and social and environmental management & monitoring plans have been developed with the participation of affected

stakeholders
.

The Unit of Certification’s social and environment management & monitoring plan shall be implemented, reviewed, and updated at least once every two (2) years with the participation of

affected communities
and relevant

stakeholders
.

The Unit of Certification shall conduct annual estimates of its Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB)

yield
potential.

Changes in soil fertility and plant nutrient levels shall be monitored, documented, and managed.

Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs), as contained in the Unit of Certification’s

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
, shall be followed to manage soil fertility, optimise

yields
, and minimise environmental impacts.

The Unit of Certification shall record and make available the actual annual production tonnage of RSPO certified crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) at the UoC’s mill(s) for the previous year or the previous 12-month period.

The Unit of Certification shall record and make available the estimated annual production tonnage of RSPO certified crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) of the UoC’s mill(s), based on the documented and recorded mill-specific

Oil Extraction Rate (OER)
and Kernel Extraction Rate (KER).

Documented Procedures – The Unit of Certification shall have complete and up-to-date documented procedures for the implementation of all elements of the RSPO supply chain model (

Mass Balance
or

Identity Preserved
) applicable to the UoC’s mill(s).

Internal Audit – The Unit of Certification shall have a documented procedure to conduct an annual internal audit to determine whether the UoC’s mill(s) conforms to the requirements in the RSPO Supply Chain Requirements for Mills (Criterion 3.5) and the ‘RSPO Rules on Market Communications and Claims’.

Purchasing and Goods In – The Unit of Certification shall monitor the level of FFB sourcing at its mill(s).

Monitoring for the UoC’s level of FFB sourcing shall include:
A) Verification and documentation of the tonnage and sources of certified and non-certified FFBs received;
B) Informing the UoC’s Certification Body immediately in cases of projected overproduction of certified volume; and
C) Process(s)/procedure(s) for the handling and/or documentation of non-conforming FFB.

Sales and Goods Out – The Unit of Certification shall ensure that key information necessary for the UoC’s RSPO certified palm oil and oil palm products is complete and available in document form.

Outsourcing Activities – The Unit of Certifcation shall not outsource milling activities at its mill(s). In cases where the UoC’s mill(s) outsource any activities to independent third parties (e.g., subcontractors for storage or transport), the UoC shall ensure that the independent third party complies with the relevant requirements of the RSPO Supply Chain Requirements for Mills (Criterion 3.5).

Prior to its next audit, the Unit of Certification shall record and make available in advance to its appointed Certification Body the details of all

contractors
that physically handle the UoC’s RSPO certified palm oil and oil palm products.

Record Keeping – The Unit of Certification shall maintain accurate, complete, up-to-date, and accessible records/reports covering all relevant aspects of the RSPO Supply Chain Certification (SCC) Standard requirements.

Processing – For the

Identity Preserved
supply chain module, the Unit of Certification shall assure and verify through documented procedures and record keeping that RSPO certified palm oil and oil palm products is kept separated from non-certified palm oil and oil palm products at the UoC’s mill(s).

The Unit of Certification and its mill(s) shall comply to all registration/reporting requirements for the appropriate RSPO supply chain module (

Mass Balance
or

Identity Preserved
) through the RSPO Information System.

The Unit of Certification and its mill(s) shall only make sustainability claims regarding the production of RSPO certified palm oil and oil palm products that are in compliance with the ‘RSPO Rules on Market Communications & Claims’.

In the event there is a conflict or dispute over land and other resources, the Unit of Certification shall have a mutually agreed process, open to all affected parties, that resolves conflict or dispute over land and other resources in an effective, timely, and appropriate manner. The process shall ensure anonymity of complainants,

Human Rights Defenders (HRD)
,

local community
spokespersons, and

whistleblowers
, where requested, without risk of reprisal or intimidation, and shall follow the latest RSPO policy on respect for

Human Rights Defenders
.

The process includes the option of access to independent legal and technical advice, the ability for complainants to choose individuals or groups to support them and/or act as observers, as well as the option of a third-party mediator.

The process is understood by the affected parties, including by illiterate parties.

The Unit of Certification shall keep parties to a conflict or dispute informed of its progress, including against agreed timeframes, and the outcome is available and communicated to relevant

stakeholders
.

Contributions to community development that are based on the results of consultation with

local communities
shall be demonstrated.

Documents showing legal ownership or lease, or authorised use of customary land authorised by customary landowners through a Free, Prior and Informed (FPIC) process. Documents related to the history of land tenure and the actual legal or customary use of the land are available.

Copies of documents evidencing agreement-making processes and negotiated agreements detailing the FPIC process are available and include:

A) Evidence that a plan has been developed through consultation and discussion in good faith with all affected groups in the communities, with particular assurance that vulnerable, minorities’ and gender groups are consulted, and that information has been provided to all affected groups, including information on the steps that are taken to involve them in decision making;
B) Evidence that the Unit of Certification has respected communities’ decisions to give or withhold their consent to the operation at the time that these decisions were taken; and
C) Evidence that the legal, economic, environmental, and social implications of permitting operations on their land have been understood and accepted by affected communities, including the implications for the legal status of their land at the expiry of the Unit of Certification’s title, concession, or lease on the land.

Maps of an appropriate scale showing the extent of recognised legal, customary, or user rights are developed through

participatory mapping
involving affected parties (including neighbouring

communities
where applicable, and relevant authorities).

All relevant information is available in appropriate forms and languages, including assessments of impacts, proposed benefit sharing, and legal arrangements.

Evidence is available to show that

communities
are represented through institutions or representatives of their own choosing, including by legal counsel if they so choose.

There is evidence that implementation of agreements negotiated through FPIC is annually reviewed in consultation with affected parties.

Documents showing identification and assessment of demonstrable legal, customary, and user rights are available.

FPIC is obtained for all

oil palm development
through a comprehensive process, including in particular, full respect for their legal and customary rights to the territories, lands, and resources via

local community
’ own representative institutions, with all the relevant information and documents made available, with option of resourced access to independent advice through a documented, long-term and two-way process of consultation and negotiation.

Evidence is available that affected

local peoples
understand they have the right to say ‘no’ to

operations
planned on their lands before and during initial discussions, during the stage of information gathering and associated consultations, during negotiations, and up until an agreement with the Unit of Certification is signed and ratified by these

local peoples
. Negotiated agreements are non-coercive and entered into voluntarily and carried out prior to new

operations
.

To ensure local food and

water security
, as part of the FPIC process, participatory

SEIA
, and participatory land-use planning with

local peoples
, the full range of food and water provisioning options are considered. There is transparency of the land allocation process.

Evidence is available that the

affected communities
and

rights
holders have had the option to access information and advice that is independent of the project proponent, concerning the legal, economic, environmental, and social implications of the proposed

operations
on their lands.

Evidence is available that the

communities
(or their representatives) gave consent to the initial planning phases of the

operations
prior to the issuance of a new concession or land title to the operator.

New lands will not be acquired for

plantations
and mills after 15 November 2018 as a result of recent (2005 or later)

expropriations
in the national interest without consent (eminent domain), except in cases of

smallholders
benefitting from agrarian reform or anti-drug programmes.

New lands are not acquired in areas inhabited by

communities
in

voluntary isolation
.

The Unit of Certification shall develop a mutually agreed procedure for identifying legal, customary, or user rights, and ensure that a procedure for identifying people entitled to compensation is in place.

The Unit of Certification shall develop a mutually agreed procedure for calculating and distributing fair and gender-equal compensation (monetary or otherwise) is established and implemented, monitored, and evaluated in a participatory way, and corrective actions taken as a result of this evaluation.

The Unit of Certification shall provide evidence that equal opportunities are provided to both men and women to hold land titles for small holdings.

The Unit of Certification shall document the process and outcomes of any negotiated agreements, compensation, and payments, with evidence of the participation of affected parties, and made

publicly available
to them.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure that a mutually agreed procedure for identifying people entitled to compensation is in place.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure that a mutually agreed procedure for calculating and distributing fair compensation (monetary or otherwise) is in place and documented and made available to affected parties.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure that

communities
that have lost access and rights to land for

plantation
expansion are given opportunities to benefit from

plantation


development
.

Where there are or have been disputes, the Unit of Certification shall provide proof of legal acquisition of title and evidence that mutually agreed compensation has been made to all people who held legal, customary, or user rights at the time of acquisition, and provided to parties to a dispute, and that any compensation was accepted following a documented process of FPIC.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure that land conflict is not present in its area. Where land conflict exists, the UoC ensures that acceptable

conflict resolution processes
(Refer to Criteria 4.1 and 4.5) are implemented and accepted by the parties involved. In the case of newly acquired

plantations
, the UoC addresses any unresolved conflict through appropriate

conflict resolution mechanisms
.

Where there is evidence of acquisition through dispossession or forced abandonment of customary and user rights prior to the current

operations
and there remain parties with demonstrable customary and land use rights, the Unit of Certification ensures that these claims are settled using the relevant requirements (Refer to Indicators 4.3.2, 4.3.3 and 4.3.4).

For any conflict or dispute over the land, the Unit of Certification shall ensure that the extent of the disputed area is mapped out in a participatory way with involvement of affected parties (including neighbouring

communities
, where applicable).

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement process(es)/procedure(s) to conduct fairly and transparently with all

smallholders
, including interested RSPO certified

independent smallholders
.

The process(es)/procedure(s) shall include:
A) Current and historical prices paid for FFB supplied to the UoC’s mill(s),

publicly available
or upon request;
B) Transparent and clear explanation of the UoC’s FFB supply pricing mechanism (if requested);
C) Fair pricing, including premium FFB pricing (where applicable);
D) Mutual agreement of terms, schedule of activities, budget, beneficiaries, characterisation of the producers, and timeframe of payments for FFB supplied; and
E) Annual inspection and verification of the UoC’s FFB weighing scale by an appropriate independent third party or a government authority.

Where there is a contractual agreement(s) between the Unit of Certification and

smallholder(s)
for FFB supply, the UoC shall provide evidence that such contractual agreement(s) are mutually agreed through a fair and transparent process.

Where there is a contractual agreement(s) between the Unit of Certification and

smallholder(s)
for FFB supply, evidence shall be demonstrated that

smallholder(s)
understand key terms of such contractual agreement(s), and received payments in accordance with terms stated within.

The evidence shall specify, at a minimum:
A) Date of receipt/documentation;
B) Price per unit of FFB supplied and timeline for payment;
C) Weight of FFB supplied;
D) Deductions (if any); and
E) Total price paid by the UoC for FFB supplied.

To support

smallholder
inclusion and to strengthen downstream traceability, the Unit of Certification shall actively

engage
, consult, and provide opportunities for all

smallholders
to access the UoC’s RSPO certified

supply chain
where feasible, including interested RSPO certified

independent smallholders
.

Where potential

smallholder
partnership or collaboration opportunities is identified and is feasible, the UoC shall develop mutually agreed terms or agreement(s) that specify:

For non-RSPO certified

independent smallholder
groups
A) Management of the RSPO certification process;
B) Roles and responsibilities of the UoC and

smallholders
for operating the

internal control system (ICS)
; and
C) Certificate ownership.

For RSPO certified

independent smallholder
groups
A) Distribution, handling, and marketing of physical certified FFB, where possible.

In collaboration with interested

smallholders
within its supply base, the Unit of Certification shall develop, implement, and review annually a

smallholder
support plan to improve agricultural practices.

The plan shall include, at a minimum:
A) Training on sustainable agricultural practices;
B) Support to enhance legality of

smallholder
FFB production; and
C) Support to identify

geolocation
of FFB origins.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure that interested

smallholders
participating in its

smallholder
support plan are trained and can show understanding of key sustainable agricultural practices necessary to increase FFB productivity.

The development of training in the plan should prioritise training(s) relevant to RSPO, aligned with the requirements/guidance of RSPO Principles and Criteria 2024, as appropriate topics and goals for

smallholders
.

The Unit of Certification shall identify potential opportunities and implement additional activities that contribute to

livelihood
improvement of

smallholders
within its supply base. Development and implementation of the activities shall take into consideration results of participatory consultations conducted with such

smallholders
.

The Unit of Certification shall establish and implement a non-discrimination policy which is applicable to recruitment, hiring, work scope, pay, and benefits, and access to training, promotion, facilities, and work equipment. This policy shall be

Publicly Available
and

socialised
to the

Workforce
and

Contractors
.

The Unit of Certification shall provide equal opportunities to all

workers
.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure that all

workers
receive remuneration for work of equal value and evaluation, which is based on both their experience and the quality of their work.

The Unit of Certification shall establish and implement procedure(s) for recruitment, selection, hiring, promotion, retirement, suspension, and termination. The procedure(s) shall be documented, and

socialised
to all

workers
. The document shall be made available upon request.

The Unit of Certifiication shall ensure that:

A) Employment contracts shall set out the terms and conditions of employment in compliance with national legal requirements or any collective bargaining agreement (if applicable). The terms and conditions shall include pay, regular working hours, deductions, overtime, sick leave, leave entitlement, maternity leave, reasons for dismissal, repatriation (if applicable), and termination notice.

B) The terms and conditions of the employment contract, or collective bargaining agreement, along with applicable labour laws, shall be made available and explained to

workers
in a language they understand prior to signing of the contract. The UoC shall acquire acknowledgment from the

workers
regarding their understanding of the terms and conditions of employment.

C) A copy of the employment contract shall be given to the

workers
.

D) There shall be no

contract substitution
. If national regulations require more than one contract to be signed by

workers
, the higher standard or provisions will apply.

E) Any amendments to the employment contract shall be agreed to by the

worker
. This does not include the terms and conditions in the collective bargaining agreement, if applicable.

The Unit of Certification shall demonstrate that the International

Migrant Workers
signed the UoC’s employment contract in the country where they were hired.

The Unit of Certification shall maintain a worker register for up to five years from the date of

workers
’ resignation or termination of employment, or as determined by national regulation.

Records of

remediation
for cases of

forced labour
,

trafficking in persons
, and repayment of

recruitment fees
(where applicable) shall be kept for up to five years from the date of

worker’s
resignation or termination of employment.

Permanent, full-time employment is used for all

Core Work
in the Unit of Certification.

Casual and short-term

workers
who are rehired for more than three successive times shall be provided the opportunity to become permanent full-time

workers
on the fourth rehiring.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure that:

A) All

Workers
are paid and provided with payslips in accordance with the terms of their employment contracts (monthly, weekly, daily, or piece rate, as relevant).

B) The details on the payslips, including the calculation of wages and lawful deductions, are clearly explained to the

Workers
in a language they understand.

C) Records are maintained for each and every type of

Worker
, detailing hours worked (both regular and overtime), the calculation of wages and lawful deductions, and the actual wages paid.

D) Where several members of a family are employed by the UoC, each

family member
shall have separate payslips. The wages earned shall be reflected in their individual payslips.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure that:

A) Piece-rate wages are not less than the legal piece-rate minimum wage, or the rate specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), as applicable. Where there is no legal minimum or CBA piece-rate wage, wages shall be calculated proportionately and not less than the legal minimum wage or the CBA wage.

Work targets
shall be achievable within regular working hours.

B) Overtime wage rate is not less than the national legal overtime rate or the rate specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), as applicable. Where legal and CBA rates are not available, the overtime wage rate shall not be less than one-and-one-quarter times the regular wage rate.

C) Where a work day is curtailed due to workplace injuries, a full day’s wage is paid to the affected

Worker
(regardless of

worker
type) or as per the legal or Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) provision. Workplace injuries refer to injuries caused by work-related accidents.

The Unit of Certification shall provide for

workers
living within the Unit of Certification housing that ensures:
A) Structural safety;
B) At least minimum space per

worker
;
C) Sewage and garbage disposal;
D) Supply of water, including

water that is safe to drink
;
E) Supply of electricity;
F) Sanitary, washing, and cooking facilities; and
G) Appropriate protection against weather elements

The UoC shall ensure

workers
, and their families (if applicable), have access to healthcare, education (for

workers
‘

children
), and welfare amenities. The facilities and amenities provided shall comply with applicable national and/or international law requirements.

In cases of acquisitions of non-certified supply base by the UoC, a plan shall be developed detailing the upgrade of infrastructure, if necessary. The plan shall be implemented within 5 years from when FFB production starts and the UoC shall review the plan annually. The plan shall meet applicable national and/or international law requirements.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure

workers
have access to safe, sufficient, and affordable food.

Aligned with the Revised RSPO Living Wage Strategy 2023,

Living Wage
shall be paid to all

workers
.

The Unit of Certification shall calculate

prevailing wages
annually in accordance with ‘RSPO Prevailing Wage Calculation Procedure’.

Procedural Note
The Unit of Certification shall use the existing ‘RSPO Guidance on Calculating Prevailing Wages’ until the ‘RSPO Prevailing Wage Calculation Procedure’ is available. Revised RSPO Living Wage Strategy 2023 has 3 key steps:
Step One: Calculate

prevailing wage

Step Two: Identify

Living Wage
gaps.
Step Three: Verify and close

Living Wage
gaps.

The Unit of Certification shall establish and implement a policy recognising freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), where available. This policy shall be made

Publicly Available
.

The Unit of Certification shall allow nomination, formation, functioning, and administration of Workers’ Organisations and registered trade unions free from interference.

Workers
that participate in such organisations shall be protected against

discrimination
, retaliation, and

intimidation or harassment (including threats)
such as penalties or repercussion.

The UoC shall provide facilities free of charge within its premises for

workers
to engage with each other and their representatives.

The Unit of Certification shall document the minutes of meetings between the UoC and trade unions or

workers
‘ representatives. These minutes of meetings shall be accessible upon request, and shall be explained in language(s) the

workers
understand. The actions agreed upon at these meetings shall be implemented and status of actions is updated.

The Unit of Certification shall establish and implement a policy for the protection of

children
, and the prohibition and

remediation
for

child labour
. The policy shall be made Publicly Available.

The UoC shall

socialise
this policy and the negative effects of

child labour
to the

Workforce
,

Contractors
, 

Suppliers
, and any other relevant

stakeholders
, in a language that they understand.

For non-hazardous work, the Unit of Certification is permitted to employ

young workers
from the age of 15, following the national minimum age or the company policy’s minimum age, whichever is higher. The work shall not interfere with schooling nor be harmful to their health or development.

Young workers
shall be paid and provided individual payslips.

The Unit of Certification shall document and implement an age screening verification procedure. In the event

child labour
is found, the UoC shall conduct

remediation
as guided by the latest version of the ‘RSPO Guidance on Child Rights for Palm Oil Producers’.

The Unit of Certification shall establish and implement a policy for prohibiting all forms of

intimidation or harassment (including threats)
,

sexual harassment
, abuse, and

violence
. There shall be procedures for investigation, disciplinary actions/sanctions, and

remediation
. The policy shall be made

publicly available
and

socialised
to

Workforce
,

suppliers
, and

Contractors
in a language that they understand.

The Unit of Certification shall establish and implement a policy to protect the rights of women

Workers
(e.g., reproductive rights,

maternal health
, women’s safety). The policy shall be made

publicly available
and

socialised
to the Workforce in a language that they understand.

The Unit of Certification shall facilitate the formation of a Womens’ Welfare and Empowerment Committee of women

workers
to discuss matters such as, but not limited to, those related to

discrimination
, safety, grievances, or workplace issues. The Womens’ Welfare and Empowerment Committee shall be permitted to decide the frequency of meetings. Meetings shall be conducted in a language that is understood or spoken by its members. The UoC shall provide a safe and secure meeting place.

The Unit of Certification shall respond to any issues presented by the Women’s Welfare and Empowerment Committee. Any actions taken shall be documented. Where no action is taken, the UoC shall record its reasons.

No work with hazardous chemicals is undertaken by pregnant or breastfeeding women

workers
. The Unit of Certification shall provide safe alternative work with equivalent pay to the identified women

workers
. Pregnancy tests shall be provided when legally mandated and with the women

workers
‘ consent.

The Unit of Certification shall assess the medical and maternity needs of expectant and new mothers in consultation with them, and actions shall be taken to address the needs that have been identified.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement policies and procedures on the prevention and

remediation
of

Forced Labour
and

trafficking in persons
; reference is made to International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Indicators of Forced Labour. The policies and procedures shall be made

Publicly Available
and

socialise
to the

Workforce
,

Suppliers
, and

Contractors
in a language that they understand.

Where

migrant workers
are employed, specific labour procedures shall be established and implemented.

Where third party

labour recruiters
are used, the Unit of Certification shall conduct an evaluation of them against Indicator 6.8.1 (C).

The Unit of Certification shall ensure that there is no

debt bondage
, withholding of wages, or collection of any payments directly or indirectly, including through deductions from wages and/or benefits.

This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
A) Wage deductions due to inability to meet unachievable

work targets
;
B) Allowing wage arrears to accumulate due to delayed payment (beyond the payment date agreed in the employment contracts) or non-payment of wages;
C) Deception in the calculation and payment of wages, including

unlawful wage deductions
;
D) Requiring

workers
to pay deposits to the Unit of Certification;
E) Wage advances and loans (and related interest rates) which exceed the limits prescribed by law; and
F)

Recruitment fees and related costs

The Unit of Certification shall repay active

workers
(as of, and from, the adoption date of the RSPO Principles & Criteria 2024) who have paid

recruitment fees or related costs
.

Workers’ government-issued identity documents and other personal documents shall not be kept by the Unit of Certification. These documents may be handed to the UoC, or those acting on its behalf, for mandatory legal or immigration processing purposes with the consent of the Workers, and shall be returned without undue delay.

Secure storage for these documents shall be provided for those workers who are accommodated by the UoC and shall be freely accessible to the

Workers
.

Workers shall be able to enter or exit the Unit of Certification’s work and accommodation premises in accordance with reasonable measures related to health, safety, security, and employment terms.

Workers who live on-site shall have access to transport and/or means of communication (e.g., telephones, SIM cards, phone credits). Restriction of transport and/or communication shall not be used as a disciplinary measure.

For overtime work, informed consent of the

worker
shall be obtained. The total working hours shall allow for breaks and rest periods during a working day, as determined by local and/or national laws, including at least 24 consecutive hours of rest in every 7-day period. When work is offered on rest days, informed consent of the

worker
must be obtained, and they may work for not more than 14 days continuously.

Workers shall have the right to enter into, and terminate, their employment. Termination of contract(s) shall be in accordance with their terms of employment. Penalty for termination of employment is prohibited.

The Unit of Certification shall establish and implement Occupational Health and Safety policies. The policies shall be made

publicly available
and

socialised
to the

Workforce
in a language that they understand.

The policies shall include provisions that will:
A) Assure a safe and healthy working place;
B) Prevent work-related illnesses, diseases, and injuries;
C) Create a mechanism for

Workers
to report and raise health and safety issues, including work related accidents, illnesses, diseases, injuries, and emergencies;
D) Comply with applicable national laws and Collective Bargaining Agreements (where applicable);
E) Provide access to water that is safe to drink at workplace; and
F) Establish roles and responsibilities of the Unit of Certification,

Health & Safety Committees
, and

Workers
in relation to health and safety.

The Unit of Certification shall establish Health and Safety (H&S) Committees at its mill(s) and estate(s). The H&S Committee shall include members from management, worker representatives, Worker Organisations, and registered trade unions (where applicable). The H&S Committee meetings shall be conducted in a language understood by all members. The UoC shall respond to any issues raised by the H&S Committee. The committee shall meet quarterly.

The Unit of Certification shall be responsible for the following matters which are managed through its H&S Committee:
A) Workplace health and safety issues, including regular worksite safety inspections, training, and continuous improvements;
B) Review Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC), in consultation with

Health and Safety (H&S) Committees
;
C) Identification of the necessary controls for the elimination of workplace hazards;
D) Identification, safe storage, mixing, and usage of chemicals including

pesticides
in the workplace, and establishing a documented procedure for the safe storage, handling, mixing, use, and safe disposal of chemicals;
E) Continued improvement of the management system to enhance its H&S performance;
F) Concerns raised by

workers
about health, safety, and welfare; and
G) Collaborate with the Women’s Welfare and Empowerment Committee to address specific health and safety risks for women Workers.

The Unit of Certification shall conduct hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control (HIRARC) at its mill(s) and estate(s) respectively, to identify health and safety issues including gender-specific impacts (e.g., impact of

pesticides
on reproductive health, pregnant women,

young workers
, suitable job-specific Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), and persons with disabilities. The HIRARC shall be conducted by competent personnel* who has been trained in HIRARC assessment. The HIRARC shall be reviewed and approved by an authorised health and safety officer.

*National Interpretations should identify requirements for competent personnel.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement risk mitigation practices and corrective actions (a ‘H&S Plan’) in consultation with the

Health and Safety (H&S) Committees
for both its mill(s) and estate(s), based on the UoC’s HIRARC. The H&S Plan shall be monitored and reviewed annually.

The Unit of Certification shall provide suitable, appropriate, and good conditioned PPE (as determined by the HIRARC assessment) to all

workers
, free of charge.


Workers
shall receive training on the importance of proper use and maintenance of essential PPE.

Records of the PPE issuance shall be documented and maintained. When there is a need for replacement, it shall be provided free of charge.

Sanitation facilities shall be made available for

workers
applying hazardous chemicals to change out of PPE, wash, and wear their personal clothing. A designated area for washing PPE shall be provided.

The Unit of Certification shall provide training on updated job-specific occupational health and safety procedures to relevant

workers
(e.g., operational supervisors), taking into account gender-specific needs, in a form and language that they understand. The UoC shall conduct assessment of the training conducted, and records of assessment and training shall be maintained.

The Unit of Certification shall assign personnel trained in first aid to all

operations
.

Workers
shall have access to first aid kits at all times.

The Unit of Certification shall establish an Emergency Response Procedure (ERP) in accordance with the

risk assessment
conducted by the UoC. The ERP shall be made available and socialised to the Workforce in a language that they understand.

The ERP shall include:
A) Establishment of an Emergency Response Team (ERT) trained in first aid to provide emergency response in all

operations
;
B) Contact details of personnel responsible for emergencies;
C) Contact details and address of nearest medical facilities (e.g., dispensaries, medical practitioners); and
D) Safety drills (e.g., fire evacuation)

The ERP shall be reviewed annually, and results of the review shall be documented.

The Unit of Certification shall provide annual medical surveillance for

workers
handling hazardous chemicals, free of charge. Actions to treat related health conditions shall be documented.

The Unit of Certification shall record occupational injuries and illnesses using Lost Time Incidents (LTI) metrics. Processes to investigate work-related incidents shall be developed and implemented. Reports of the investigation shall be documented.

The Unit of Certification shall provide all

workers
with medical care and be covered by accident insurance. Costs incurred from work-related incidents leading to illness, disease, or injury are covered in accordance with national law or by the UoC where national law does not offer protection.

The Unit of Certification shall ensure that only trained

workers
handle, use, or apply chemicals in accordance with the manufacturers’ or suppliers’ instructions and precautions. Personnel handling, using, or applying chemicals must demonstrate up-to-date understanding and knowledge related to their assigned tasks.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement an

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
plan to mitigate negative impacts of unsustainable pest management methods on the environment and human health.

Restricted and hazardous

pesticide
that endanger the health of

workers
, families,

communities
, or the environment shall be not be used, unless in exceptional circumstances as validated by a

due diligence
process or when authorised by government authorities for pest outbreaks.

This shall include

pesticide
that are:
A) Categorised as World Health Organization Class 1A or 1B;
B) Meet the criteria for carcinogenicity Categories 1A and 1B, mutagenicity Categories 1A and 1B, or reproductive toxicity Categories 1A and 1B, according to the Globally Harmonized System on Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS);
C) Listed by the Stockholm or Rotterdam Conventions;
D) Restricted or prohibited under national regulations; and/or
E) Paraquat.

The Unit of Certification shall record all

pesticide
usage. Records shall include the

pesticide’s
trade name,

active ingredient
, LD50, quantity of

active ingredient
used, period of usage, location/area of application, and reason for usage.

There shall be no

prophylactic
use of

pesticide
, unless in exceptional circumstances, as identified in national best practice guidelines.

The Unit of Certification shall not launch

aerial sprayings
of

pesticide
, unless in exceptional circumstances where no other viable alternatives are available. When

aerial spraying
is unavoidable, prior approval from government authorities shall be obtained and detailed information of the

aerial spraying
shall be provided to potentially affected

local communities
at least 48 hours prior to application of

aerial spraying
. Targeted spraying with unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) is permitted.

The introduction of species referenced in the Global Invasive Species Database and/or CABI Digital Library and/or national regulation shall be prohibited.

Where the use of the invasive or prohibited species was already in place before November 2024, the Unit of Certification shall manage the usage of such species in line with

international accepted scientific protocols
or national regulations.

The use of fire for pest or disease control shall be prohibited, unless in exceptional circumstances.

Where fire must be used for control of pests and diseases, the Unit of Certification shall provide evidence of prior approval from government authorities and implement a plan to prevent, mitigate, and/or repair damages to the environment.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a

waste management
plan to reduce, minimise, recycle, and reuse

waste
produced from its

operations
and non-operational activities. The plan shall also include responsible disposal of

waste
or by-products, where applicable.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a nutrient recycling plan. The nutrient recycling plan shall include the recycling of biomass (i.e., Empty Fruit Bunches/EFB, Palm Oil Mill Effluent/POME, palm residues) and optimal use of inorganic fertilisers.

The Unit of Certification shall demonstrate that

workers
have job-specific training to implement the

waste management
plan.

The use of fire as a measure for

waste
disposal shall be prohibited, unless in exceptional circumstances. Direct disposal of

waste
into

watercourse
or other ecosystems shall be prohibited.

Areas of

steep terrain
,

marginal soil
(s), and

fragile soil
(s) shall be identified and mapped. Soil surveys and topographic information shall guide the planning of drainage and irrigation systems, roads, and other infrastructure of the Unit of Certification.

To demonstrate the long-term suitability of land for oil palm cultivation, soil maps or soil surveys identifying

marginal
and

fragile soil
, including

steep terrain
, shall be taken into account in plans and

operations
.

The Unit of Certification shall not conduct

new planting
and

extensive replanting of oil palm on steep terrain
.

The Unit of Certification shall not conduct

new planting
and/or new

development
on

marginal soil
(s) and/or

fragile soil
(s).

Procedural Note
The RSPO New Planting Procedure shall be updated to reflect this requirement.

In the event there is any

replanting
on

marginal soil
(s) and/or

fragile soil
(s), the Unit of Certification shall manage the area in accordance with the ‘RSPO Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Soil’.

Procedural Note
RSPO shall develop the ‘RSPO Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Soil’ guidance document.

There shall be no

new plantings
and/or

development
on

peatlands
, regardless of depth, after 15 November 2018.

The Unit of Certification shall map and have inventories of all areas of

peatlands
(planted and unplanted) in accordance with RSPO procedures on Peat Inventory. The UoC shall make its map and other inventory information available to the RSPO Secretariat.

Any activities by the Unit of Certification that may disrupt

peatlands
ecosystem integrity or hydrology including new construction of drains, roads, dams, bunds, levees, and/or power lines on unplanted and set-aside

peatlands
shall be prohibited.

The Unit of Certification shall protect and manage all unplanted and set-aside

peatlands
, guided by the latest version of ‘RSPO Manual on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Management and Rehabilitation of Peatlands’ and associated audit guidance.

All existing plantings on

peat
are managed according to the latest version of ‘RSPO Manual on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Existing Oil Palm Cultivation on Peat’ and associated audit guidance.

To determine the suitability of

replanting
on

peat
, the Unit of Certification shall conduct a drainability assessment for oil palm planted on

peat
in accordance with the latest ‘RSPO

Drainability Assessment Procedure
‘.

Where a RSPO Drainability Assessment report indicates a phasing out of oil palm cultivation of at least 40 years, or two cycles (whichever is greater), before reaching the natural gravity drainability limit for

peat
, the Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a plan to replace with crops suitable for a higher water table (e.g.,

paludiculture
) or to rehabilitate with natural vegetation.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a water management plan* to promote more efficient use to maintain quality, and continued availability of surface and groundwater, in consultation with

affected communities
.

The plan shall address the following:
A) The UoC does not restrict access to clean water or contribute to pollution of water used by

communities
; and
B)

Workers
shall have adequate access to clean water.

*National Interpretations should further define the process and developing the water management plan, based on the national context.

The Unit of Certification shall record water consumption (mill water use per metric tonne of product) and water withdrawal (total water volume extracted from surface and groundwater source) at the UoC’s mill(s).

The Unit of Certification shall protect

watercourses
and wetlands by maintaining and

restoration
appropriate

riparian
reserves and other buffer zones, in line with the latest version of the ‘RSPO Manual on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the Management and Rehabilitation of Riparian Reserves’.

The Unit of Certification shall treat and process palm oil mill effluent (POME) in compliance with applicable national regulations. Discharge quantity and quality of the palm oil mill effluent, especially

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
, shall be regularly monitored.

The Unit of Certification shall identify and assess its

greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions through the latest version of RSPO PalmGHG calculator to develop and implement an emissions reduction plan. The plan to reduce or minimise GHG emissions shall be implemented and monitored.

The Unit of Certification shall publicly report its

Greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions per product, as estimated through the latest version of RSPO PalmGHG calculator.

The Unit of Certification shall estimate the carbon stock of the proposed

development
area and major potential sources of emissions that may result directly from the

development
since 2014. The Unit of Certification shall prepare and implement a plan to protect the carbon stock, following the ‘RSPO GHG Assessment Procedure for New Development’.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a plan to reduce or minimise

significant air pollutants
(apart from

greenhouse gases
).

*National Interpretations should determine any relevant national air pollution standards or thresholds.

The Unit of Certification shall prohibit the use of fire for land preparation of

new plantings
,

development
, and/or

replanting
.

The Unit of Certification shall develop and implement fire prevention process(es)/procedure(s) to reduce fire risk in all areas under the UoC. The process/procedure should be developed in engagement with relevant

stakeholders
.

A plan for improving the efficiency of, or minimising, fossil fuel usage shall be developed and implemented. The plan shall consider the role and usage of renewable energy to replace or reduce fossil fuels.

A Unit of Certification shall not damage

primary forest
and HCVs (from November 2005) and HCS Forests (from 15 November 2018). HCVs, HCS forests, and

other conservation areas
are identified for protection according to the following scenarios:

1) A Unit of Certification (or parts thereof) with

existing plantations
and no new

land clearing
(after November 2018) shall provide evidence of a valid HCV assessment.

2) A Unit of Certification (or parts thereof) that followed the transitional measures in P&C 2018 (Refer to ‘Interpretation of Indicator 7.12.2 and Annex 5 of RSPO P&C 2018’) shall provide evidence that a valid HCV, and/or standalone HCSA assessment, and/or Integrated HCV-HCS assessment (as applicable) was conducted before any new

land clearing
.

3) A Unit of Certification (or parts thereof) not covered by Scenario 2 with any new

land clearing
after 15 November 2018 shall provide evidence that:
a)

Land clearing
is preceded by an Assessor Licensing Scheme (ALS) integrated HCV-HCS assessment, using the Integrated HCV-HCSA Assessment Manual valid at the time of the assessment (either the November 2017 or June 2023 version of the Manual).
b) Compliance with the requirements of the New Planting Procedure (NPP) 2015, and subsequent revisions of the NPP.

Procedural Note
For details of the scenarios, refer to Annex 3 (to be developed and approved by the RSPO Standards Standing Committee). Annex 3 will be based on the ‘Interpretation of Indicator 7.12.2 and Annex 5 of RSPO P&C 2018’, to be updated for validity.

For all

land clearing
since November 2005, the Unit of Certification shall provide evidence of a historic Land Use Change Analysis (LUCA).

Where there has been land clearing without prior HCV assessment since November 2005, or without a prior Integrated HCV-HCSA Assessment since 15 November 2018, the ‘RSPO Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP)’ applies.

Where HCVs and/or HCS forests have been identified, the Unit of Certification shall develop and implement a management & monitoring plan to protect and/or enhance HCVs and/or HCS forests. This plan shall make clear the roles of

affected communities
in implementation; shall be developed in consultation with relevant

stakeholders
; and shall include the directly

managed area
and any relevant wider landscape level considerations (where these are identified).

This management & monitoring plan shall include, but is not limited to the following (if applicable):
A) All

Rare, threatened or endangered (RTE) species
(HCV-1);
B) Management of human-wildlife conflict (threats to HCVs);
C) Other conservation areas; and
D A programme to

socialise
the status of RTE species to the

workforce
.

The Unit of Certification shall

adapt
, where necessary, the management & monitoring plan to protect and/or enhance HCVs and/or HCS forests (Refer to Indicator 7.7.3). The plan shall be reviewed at least once every five years. Outcomes of the monitoring activities shall be used to update the management & monitoring plan.

Procedural Note
RSPO shall develop a guidance on changes in HCV conditions and status to support implementation of the management & monitoring plan.

Where rights of

local communities
have been identified in HCV areas, HCS

forest
after 15 November 2018, and

other conservation areas
, there is no diminishment of these rights without evidence of a negotiated agreement, obtained through FPIC.