November 2016

The RSPO is a voluntary, multi-stakeholder organization, the main focus of which is standard setting and certification of sustainable palm oil production. The pervasive presence of disputes in the sector has meant that development of a complaints system has become an important element of the RSPO’s overall regulatory system. The central decision making body within the RSPO Complaints System is the Complaints Panel…Complaints regarding certification processes are referred…to the relevant accreditation or certification body…With regard to individual remedy, there have been significant gaps in the RSPO’s capacity to facilitate the successful resolution of individual disputes…Nonetheless, there is evidence that RSPO processes have sometimes contributed to the management of complex disputes, via indirect effects on communication between disputing parties…The RSPO’s performance has been further limited by its weak capacity to perform important functions such as community outreach…There have also been weak provisions for, and practical use of, enforcement mechanisms…