P&C and SCCS is valid for 5 years, with annual, third party assessments required to
ensure continued compliance to the standards.
The main document relating to RSPO certification is the RSPO Principles &
Criteria. Originally released in November 2007 (RSPO 2007), this document contains a comprehensive list of requirements and guidelines covering the three impact
areas of the RSPO Theory of Change (ToC), being prosperity, people and planet.
Revision of the P&C is conducted every 5 years to improve the relevance and
effectiveness of the document. Revisions are undertaken through a taskforce
consisting of experts representing member organizations from all seven sectors of
the RSPO membership as well as extensive public and stakeholder consultations.
The second revision of the document, the P&C 2018 (RSPO 2018) is the latest set of
requirements for RSPO certification which was endorsed by RSPO on
15 November 2018.
18.2 The RSPO Principles & Criteria (P&C) in Relation
to Peatlands
18.2.1 Principles & Criteria 2007 (P&C 2007)
The inclusion of requirements on proper management of peatlands cultivated with
oil palm and the discouraging of extensive planting on peat was introduced in the
first set of requirements by RSPO, the P&C 2007. Extensive planting of oil palm on
peatlands was prohibited as found in Criteria 7.4 which stated “Extensive planting on
steep terrain, and/or on marginal and fragile soils, is avoided”. Identification of
marginal and fragile soils, including peat, was required prior to any planting. It was
also required that any “limited” planting in these soils includes management and
monitoring plans to minimize any adverse impacts.
Emphasis was also given to ensure that best management practices (BMPs) such
as ensuring effective and documented water management practices were in place to
minimize the subsidence of peat planted with oil palm. Criteria 4.3 of the P&C 2007
provided guidance that states “For existing plantings on peat, water table should be
maintained at a mean of 60cm (within a range of 50-75cm) below ground surface
through a network of appropriate water control structures, e.g. weirs, sandbags,
etc., in fields, and watergates at the discharge points of main drains”. Other
management practices, highlighting peatlands in particular, was on the avoidance
of the use of fire for waste disposal and land preparation as found in Criteria 5.5, with
specific guidance to avoid use of fire on peatlands.
18 Role of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in Tropical Peatland. . .
511
ensure continued compliance to the standards.
The main document relating to RSPO certification is the RSPO Principles &
Criteria. Originally released in November 2007 (RSPO 2007), this document contains a comprehensive list of requirements and guidelines covering the three impact
areas of the RSPO Theory of Change (ToC), being prosperity, people and planet.
Revision of the P&C is conducted every 5 years to improve the relevance and
effectiveness of the document. Revisions are undertaken through a taskforce
consisting of experts representing member organizations from all seven sectors of
the RSPO membership as well as extensive public and stakeholder consultations.
The second revision of the document, the P&C 2018 (RSPO 2018) is the latest set of
requirements for RSPO certification which was endorsed by RSPO on
15 November 2018.
18.2 The RSPO Principles & Criteria (P&C) in Relation
to Peatlands
18.2.1 Principles & Criteria 2007 (P&C 2007)
The inclusion of requirements on proper management of peatlands cultivated with
oil palm and the discouraging of extensive planting on peat was introduced in the
first set of requirements by RSPO, the P&C 2007. Extensive planting of oil palm on
peatlands was prohibited as found in Criteria 7.4 which stated “Extensive planting on
steep terrain, and/or on marginal and fragile soils, is avoided”. Identification of
marginal and fragile soils, including peat, was required prior to any planting. It was
also required that any “limited” planting in these soils includes management and
monitoring plans to minimize any adverse impacts.
Emphasis was also given to ensure that best management practices (BMPs) such
as ensuring effective and documented water management practices were in place to
minimize the subsidence of peat planted with oil palm. Criteria 4.3 of the P&C 2007
provided guidance that states “For existing plantings on peat, water table should be
maintained at a mean of 60cm (within a range of 50-75cm) below ground surface
through a network of appropriate water control structures, e.g. weirs, sandbags,
etc., in fields, and watergates at the discharge points of main drains”. Other
management practices, highlighting peatlands in particular, was on the avoidance
of the use of fire for waste disposal and land preparation as found in Criteria 5.5, with
specific guidance to avoid use of fire on peatlands.
18 Role of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in Tropical Peatland. . .
511