MSPO Certification
THE 7 PRINCIPLES OF MSPO STANDARD
- The MSPO Standard contains seven (7) principles which forms the general requirements of a management system framework, based on the three pillars of sustainability, i.e. economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally sound. The general requirements for the MS2530:2013 are as follows;
- Each of the seven (7) General Principles has specific Criteria and Indicators that the Certification Bodies (CBs) will use during audit to determine compliance. The management of the entity that meets the requirements of the MSPO will be able to obtain certification under the standard.
- Similar to ISO standard, you can purchase the MSPO Standards from the Department of Standards Malaysia.
Requirements for Independent Smallholders
‘Sustainable Palm Oil Cluster (SPOC) refers to a group of independent smallholders within a specific boundary who are committed to produce sustainable palm oil through the cooperative structure.’
Principle 1: Management commitment and responsibility
• Policy binding smallholders to MSPO is in place
• Action plan for continual improvement of SPOCs* is in place
Principle 2: Transparency
• Records of sales and delivery or transportation of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) are kept
• Traceability requirements are implemented and conducted by group management
Principle 3: Compliance to legal requirements
• All applicable local, state, national & ratified international laws and regulation are complied with
• Land use customary land rights of independent smallholders are demonstrated
• Legal ownership of customary land rights are demonstrated using maps
Principle 4: Social responsibility, health, safety and employment conditions
• Complaints and grievances raised are responded to
• Safe work practices and conditions are ensured
• Work conditions are accordance with mutual verbal agreement made transparently and freely
• Equal opportunity and treatment are provided
• Where available and practical, living quarters with basic amenities are provided
• Children and young persons are not employed or exploited
• Workers pay and employment conditions meet legal standards
• Seeking knowledge to increase competency in oil palm management is encouraged.
Principle 5: Environment, natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Awareness of environmental impact is expected
• Use of renewable energy is applied, where possible
• All waste products and souse of pollution are identified by off appropriately small holders must be
disposed
• Quality and availability of surface and ground water are maintained
• Basic understanding of any species or habitat of concern, together with the conservation needs is shown
• Open burning during land preparation for oil palm cultivation or replanting shall not be practiced
Principle 6: Best practices
• Best practices are implemented
• A management plan to demonstrate economic and financial viability is established by group
management
• Communication and consultation with dealers, millers, local communities and other interested parties are
encouraged for transparent and fair price dealings
Principle 7: Development of new planting
• No planting of oil palm on land with high biodiversity value
• Information on soil types, topography and their suitability for oil palm planting is obtained
• Extensive planting on steep terrain, marginal and fragile soil is also avoided
Requirements for Oil Palm Plantation & Organised Smallholders
Principle 1: Management commitment and responsibility
• Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Policy in place.
• Internal Audit shall be conducted periodically
• Management review to ensure adequacy and effectiveness of MSPO implementation
• Continual improvement plan in place
Principle 2: Transparency
• Relevant information and documents made public
• Procedures for consultation and communication with stakeholders established
• Implement procedures for traceability of products
Principle 3: Compliance to legal requirements
• Compliance with applicable laws and regulation
• Land use and Customary Land Right shall be respected
• Legal ownership of land demonstrated
• Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in place
Principle 4: Social responsibility, health, safety and employment conditions
• Social Impact Assessment (SIA) conducted
• Complaints and grievances mechanism in place
• Commitment to contribute to local sustainable development
• Employee safety and health policy in place
• Good employment conditions established
• Appropriate training is provided
Principle 5: Environment, natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in place
• Efficiency of energy use and use of renewable energy
• Reduction of pollution and emission including greenhouse gases
• Water management plan to maintain the quality and availability of water resources
• Identification of high biodiversity value areas and rare, threatened
Or endangered ecosystems or species
• Zero burning practices for waste disposal and land preparation
Principle 6: Best practices
• Site management to implement best practices
• Economic and financial viability plan implemented
• Transparent and fair price dealing implemented
• Contractors shall understand and comply with MSPO requirements
Principle 7: Development of new planting
• No planting on lands with high biodiversity value
• No conversation of Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs)
• New planting and replanting on peat land can be developed as per MPOB guidelines & industry best
practices
• Comprehensive Social and Environmental Impact Assessment
(SEIA) conducted prior to new plantings
• Adequate information on soil types and topography needed of new plantings
• Extensive planting on steep areas and fragile soils avoided
• Recognize customary land rights and land owners through Free,
Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
Requirements for Oil Palm Mills
Principle 1: Management commitment and responsibility
• Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Policy is in place
• Internal Audit shall be conducted periodically
• Management review to ensure adequacy and effectiveness of MSPO implementation
• Continual improvement plan in place
Principle 2: Transparency
• Transparency of information and documents relevant to MSPO requirements
• Transparency in communication and consultation
• Implementation and maintenance of Traceability requirements
Principle 3: Compliance to legal requirements
• Compliance to applicable laws and regulation
• Land use and Customary Land Rights respected
• Legal ownership of land demonstrated
• Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in place
Principle 4: Social responsibility, health, safety and employment conditions
• Social Impact Assessment (SIA) conducted
• Complaints and grievances mechanism in place
• Commitment to contribute to local sustainable development
• Employee safety and health policy in place
• Good employment conditions established
• Appropriate training is provided
Principle 5: Environment, natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in place
• Efficiency of energy use and use of renewable energy
• Waste management plan
• Reduction of pollution and emission including greenhouse gasses
• Water management plan established
Principle 6: Best practices
• Mill management to implement best practices
• Economic and financial viability plan implemented
• Transparent and fair price dealing implemented
• Contractors shall understand and comply with MSPO requirements