The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has voted to adopt a major new standard during its 21st general assembly in Bangkok, Thailand. The 2024 standards include a deforestation and sustainability approach that is intended to ensure responsible land clearing; the introduction of human rights due diligence; and the streamlining of audit process.

Earlier, critics warn that the new approach may lead to palm oil expansion into forests. Further, a human rights group cites the alleged removal of the free, prior, informed consent (FPIC) requirement.