RSPO Interactive Indicators & Guidance 2024
People
Sustainable Livelihoods & Poverty Reduction
Human rights protected, respected and remedied. The palm oil sector contributes to reducing poverty and palm oil production is a source of sustainable livelihoods. Human rights are respected.
People participate in processes that affect them with shared access and benefits. Everyone engaged in palm oil production has equal opportunities to fulfill their potential in work and community with dignity and equality and in a healthy working and living environment.
Principle 2
Comply With The Law And Respect Communities’ Rights
Impact Goals
The Criteria and Indicators in Principle 2 are linked to the following Long-term Outcomes in the RSPO Theory of Change:
People
L1, L2, L3
Planet
L6
Prosperity
L9
Criterion 2.1
Smallholders have the rights to use the land in accordance with national, local, or customary practices.
Indicators
2.1 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall make available evidence of Rights to use the land, or that they are in the process of obtaining recognition of the Rights. This shall include coordinates and maps of smallholders plots.
2.1 MS(A)(applies to)
Same as Eligibility.
2.1 MS(B)(applies to)
Smallholders shall provide evidence of land ownership or Rights to use the land, and clearly demarcate the boundaries of Smallholders Plots. Smallholders shall maintain the demarcation, and only operate within the boundaries.
Criterion 2.2
Smallholders have not acquired lands from indigenous peoples, local communities, or other users without their Free, Prior and Informed consent (FPIC), based on a simplified FPIC approach.
Indicators
2.2 E(applies to)
For existing plots, smallholders can demonstrate that they have not acquired land without Free, Prior and Informed consent (FPIC) of indigenous peoples, local communities, or other users.
Procedural Note
Upon completion of the RSPO Simplified FPIC approach for ISH, 2.2 Milestone A and 2.2 Milestone B will be revisited for potential revision. For existing certified independent smallholders, transitional measures will be put in place if 2.2 Milestone A and 2.2 Milestone B are revised.
2.2 MS(A)(applies to)
Same as Eligibility.
2.2 MS(B)(applies to)
Same as Eligibility.
Criterion 2.3
Smallholders shall implement processes to manage conflict on land and resource use.
Indicators
2.3 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall declare existing disputes on land and resources, if any, and commit to resolve them.
2.3 MS(A)(applies to)
Smallholders shall be trained on management of conflict on land and resources.
2.3 MS(B)(applies to)
Smallholders shall demonstrate that they are managing conflict(s) on Smallholder Plot, where applicable.
Criterion 2.4
Smallholder plots are located outside of areas classified as national parks or protected areas, as defined by national, regional, or local law(s), or as specified in National Interpretations.
Indicators
2.4 E(applies to)
Smallholder Plots are located outside of areas classified as national parks or protected areas as defined by national, regional, or local law(s), or as specified in National Interpretations.
2.4 MS(A)(applies to)
Same as Eligibility.
2.4 MS(B)(applies to)
Same as Eligibility.
Criterion 2.5
For new plantings, smallholders shall not clear any land without obtaining free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) from the Affected Communities.
Procedural Note
A simplified FPIC process for independent smallholders shall be developed by RSPO. Compliance for Criteria 2.5 and its Indicators shall be inactive until the RSPO Simplified FPIC approach for ISH is endorsed and adopted for implementation.
Indicators
2.5 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall commit to identify Affected Communities, if any, and conduct the simplified FPIC process on areas of new plantings.
2.5 MS(A)(applies to)
Smallholders shall be trained on the simplified FPIC process on new plantings.
2.5 MS(B)(applies to)
Smallholders shall conduct the simplified FPIC process where Affected Communities are found in areas of new planting.
Principle 3
Safeguard Human Rights, Protect Workers’ Rights, And Ensure Safe And Decent Working Conditions
Impact Goals
The Criteria and Indicators in Principle 3 are linked to the following Long-term Outcomes in the RSPO Theory of Change:
3.1 Criteria
There shall be no forced labour in the smallholder plots.
Indicators
3.1 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall commit to not use forced labour, and commit to complete training on awareness and prevention of forced labour on their plots. Smallholders shall address and end forced labour on smallholder plots from the Eligibility stage, if any.
Smallholders shall comply with legal requirements prescribed by national, state, or provincial regulations when hiring workers.
3.1 MS(A)(applies to)
Smallholders shall complete training on awareness and prevention of forced labour, including the International Labour Organization (ILO)'s Indicators of Forced Labour.
3.1 MS(B)(applies to)
There shall be no evidence of forced labour on smallholder plots.
The following practices are prohibited, but not limited to:
A) Payment of recruitment fees by workers;
B) Contract substitution;
C) Restriction of worker's movement by locking them in worksite or accommodation;
D) Intentional isolation of workers by denying them means of communication;
E) Physical and sexual violence;
F) Intimidation and threats;
G) Retention of identity and personal documents, including (but not limited to) passports;
H) Withholding of wages;
I) Debt bondage;
J) Involuntary and excessive overtime;
K) Lack of freedom of workers to resign; and
L) Abusive working and living conditions
3.2 Criteria
Smallholders shall not hire or exploit children in the operation(s) at the smallholder plots. Assistance by children living in the smallholder's household is acceptable on family farms under adult supervision, and must not interfere with their education programmes. Children shall not be exposed to hazardous working conditions.
Indicators
3.2 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall commit to not use child labour in their plots. Smallholders shall also commit to complete training on prevention of child labour.
Smallholders shall address and end child labour on smallholder plots from the Eligibility stage, if any.
3.2 MS(A)(applies to)
Smallholders shall complete training on awareness and prevention of child labour.
Training on child labour shall include, but is not limited to:
A) Child labour awareness;
B) Compliance with the minimum age of workers as defined by local, state, or national law, or international law in the absence of local, state, or national laws;
C) Not exposing children to hazardous work;
D) Providing adult supervision of children on family farm and/or young workers on the smallholder plots; and
E) Ensuring the practice of children’s right to education is unrestricted and respected
3.2 MS(B)(applies to)
Smallholders shall not use child labour in smallholder plots.
The following conditions must be met when children living in Smallholder Households assist in Family Farms, or where young workers are hired in smallholder plots:
A) Shall be under adult supervision;
B) Shall not interfere with their health, safety and education; and
C) Shall not be exposed to hazardous working conditions
3.3 Criteria
Smallholders shall ensure workers (if any) are paid at least the legal minimum wage
Indicators
3.3 E(applies to)
Where there are workers at the smallholder plot(s), smallholders shall commit to pay at least the legal minimum wage without discrimination against vulnerable groups, including women and migrant workers.
3.3 MS(A)(applies to)
Where there are workers at the smallholder plot(s), smallholders shall pay at least the legal minimum wage (excluding overtime premiums) without discrimination against vulnerable groups, including women and migrant workers.
3.3 MS(B)(applies to)
same as MS A.
3.4 Criteria
Workers understand their rights, have access without retaliation to file a complaint or grievance to the Group Manager or relevant third parties, including RSPO.
Indicators
3.4 E(applies to)
Where there are workers at the smallholder plot(s), smallholders shall commit to respect the rights of workers to file a complaint or grievance without retaliation.
3.4 MS(A)(applies to)
Where there are workers at the smallholder plot(s), smallholders shall complete training on handling workers' complaint(s) or grievance(s), and socialise to workers their rights and the mechanism to file a complaint or grievance.
3.4 MS(B)(applies to)
Where there are workers at the smallholder plot(s), smallholders shall ensure that the workers are aware of, and have access to, the complaint or grievance mechanism(s) without retaliation.
3.5 Criteria
Working conditions and facilities are safe and meet minimum legal requirements.
Indicators
3.5 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall commit to providing safe working conditions and facilities, based on the health and safety risk identification, conducted together with Group Manager.
3.5 MS(A)(applies to)
Smallholders shall complete training(s) on health and safety risks associated with farm work (including chemical use) and how to mitigate them. Smallholders shall ensure that workers, and family or household members (if any), working at the smallholder plot(s) are able to demonstrate awareness of the same.
3.5 MS(B)(applies to)
Workers, and family or household members (if any), working at the smallholder plot(s) shall have access to safe working conditions and facilities, based on health and safety risk identification as follows, but not limited to:
A) Safe and adequate housing, where applicable;
B) Basic first aid supplies;
C) Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), for the type of work;
D) Adequate drinking water;
E) Access to sanitation facilities, where appropriate; and
F) Access to toilets
3.6 Criteria
There is no discrimination, intimidation and harassment (including threats), sexual harassment, abuse, and/or violence in smallholder plots.
Indicators
3.6 E(applies to)
Smallholders shall commit to no discrimination, no intimidation, no harassment (including threats), no sexual harassment, no abuse, and no violence in smallholder plots.
3.6 MS(A)(applies to)
Smallholders shall complete training(s) on discrimination, intimidation and harassment (including threats), sexual harassment, abuse, and violence, and are aware of the need for a safe workspace.
3.6 MS(B)(applies to)
Workers shall be able to access the complaint or grievance mechanism(s) (Refer to Indicator 3.4 MS B) in the event there are incidents on discrimination, intimidation and harassment (including threats), sexual harassment, abuse, and/or violence in smallholder plots.