What RSPO does

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a global non-profit membership organisation founded in 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by WWF, the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA), Unilever, AAK, and Migros to develop and implement standards for sustainable palm oil production. RSPO operates as a multi-stakeholder governance body with over 6,200 member organisations spanning the full palm oil value chain — growers, processors, traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, and NGOs — and currently certifies 5,449,844 hectares across 24 countries, with 19,328,670 tonnes of estimated certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) production and 7,968 supply chain-certified facilities.

The organisation's core offerings are the RSPO Principles & Criteria (P&C) Standard, comprising 162 environmental, social, and governance indicators, and the simplified Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard for smallholders managing plots of approximately ≤50 hectares. Supporting these standards is a digital infrastructure including the prisma certification, trade and traceability system (which also hosts RSPO Credits trading), the PalmGHG Calculator for emissions assessment, the GeoRSPO GIS mapping tool, the Hotspot Hub for deforestation monitoring, the New Planting Procedure digital workflow, and the Sustainability College learning platform. Smallholder inclusion is delivered through the Smallholder Trainer Academy (275 Master Trainers, 18,000+ smallholders trained since 2019), the Smallholder Engagement Platform (RSEP), the Smallholder Support Fund (RSSF, 147 projects in 14 countries benefiting 44,796 smallholders), and Intermediary Organisation outreach across 7 countries.

RSPO generates revenue through three primary streams: recurring membership fees paid by the 6,200+ member organisations across seven membership categories, certification and audit-related fees collected through accredited third-party Certification Bodies (e.g., SGS, Control Union, BSI, Bureau Veritas, SCS Global Services), and marketplace commissions from RSPO Credits trading on the prisma platform. The 2024 RSPO Standards (P&C and ISH) were adopted in November 2024 and will become mandatory on 31 May 2026, with the new Certification Systems endorsed in November 2025 and National Interpretations for Indonesia and Malaysia endorsed through 2025-2026, positioning RSPO as a compliance pathway for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). RSPO maintains regional offices in Jakarta, London, Zoetermeer, Beijing, Bogotá, and New York alongside its Kuala Lumpur headquarters.

Name

RSPO

Legal name

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

Website

https://rspo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a global non-profit membership organisation founded in 2004 that sets and implements sustainability standards for palm oil, certifying 5.45 million hectares across 24 countries and serving over 6,200 member organisations across the entire palm oil value chain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Certification

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Standards Development & Publishing (SDOs, Technical Standards) (MPAJACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Compliance Obligations Management (Permits-to-Controls Mapping) (EUAHAIAK)

Keywords

• Sustainable palm oil certification
• Environmental and social standards
• Supply chain traceability
• Smallholder inclusion programmes
• Commodity credit trading

Headquarters

HQ city

Kuala Lumpur

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Companies across the palm oil value chain — oil palm producers, processors, traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks, investors, and NGOs — pay membership fees to join RSPO. Membership is voluntary but required to participate in the certification system.
2. Certification Fees: Growers and supply chain actors pay for annual audits conducted by accredited Certification Bodies. Certified growers receive RSPO Certification allowing them to sell CSPO, with different supply chain models: Identity Preserved, Segregated, Mass Balance, and RSPO Credits.
3. RSPO Credits Trading (prisma / Book and Claim): RSPO operates a credit trading platform where smallholders and certified producers can sell RSPO Credits (Book and Claim) to downstream buyers seeking to offset palm oil usage. Credits are traded on the prisma marketplace.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

RSPO is a global non-profit membership organisation that develops and operates the world's leading voluntary certification system for sustainable palm oil. It sets the RSPO Principles & Criteria (P&C) and Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standards covering 162 ESG requirements, accredits third-party Certification Bodies to audit growers and supply chain actors, and operates the prisma platform for certification, trade, traceability, and RSPO Credits trading. The organisation also delivers training, capacity-building, and smallholder inclusion programmes across 24 countries.

Product overview

RSPO operates as a certification standards organization rather than a traditional product company. The core offering consists of the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) Standard (162 ESG requirements) and the RSPO Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard, which are the foundational certification frameworks. Supporting these standards are multiple digital platforms: prisma serves as the certification, trade, and traceability system (CTTS); MyRSPO provides member portal access; the Smallholder Trainer Academy (STA) delivers training to smallholders; and the Smallholder Engagement Platform (RSEP) connects smallholders with market support. Additional tools include the RSPO Credits marketplace for credit trading, the Shared Responsibility Scorecard for member assessment, GeoRSPO and Hotspot Hub for geospatial/monitoring purposes, the GHG Calculator for emissions assessment, and Sustainability College for learning content. The ecosystem is complemented by The Palm Pod podcast and the Annual Communication of Progress (ACOP) reporting system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• prisma: RSPO's certification, trade and traceability system platform for palm oil supply chain management.
• The Palm Pod
• Smallholder Trainer Academy (STA)

Products and services

• RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C) Certification The flagship sustainability standard with 162 environmental, social, and governance indicators that oil palm growers and processors must comply with to achieve RSPO Certification, enabling them to produce and trade Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO). Verified through independent annual audits by accredited Certification Bodies.
• RSPO Independent Smallholder (ISH) Certification A simplified, phased certification standard exclusively for oil palm smallholders managing plots typically ≤50 hectares and not structurally bound to a mill. Includes Best Management Practices training and access to RSPO Credits.
• RSPO Supply Chain Certification

Quantifiable outcome

• 5-10% productivity increase for Indonesian palm oil smallholders receiving RSPO certification training
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core, foundational and strategic.

• SCS Consulting ServicessupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 March 2026SCS Consulting Services was approved as an RSPO Endorsed Training Provider (ETP) in March 2026, authorised to deliver RSPO-accredited Lead Auditor training globally, covering RSPO Principles & Criteria and Independent Smallholder Standards 2024 through a hybrid format combining online modules with in-person on-site farm and mill visits.
• KoltivacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025RSPO partnered with global agri-tech company Koltiva in 2025 to help the Ngoyaï Gbaayegie Group in Sierra Leone embrace data-driven technology for EUDR compliance. Koltiva delivers an application-based survey system to collect farm-level data from producers, replacing handwritten records with digital traceability systems shared among farmers, ICS officers, and buyers.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)foundationalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004WWF was one of five founding members of RSPO in 2004, alongside MPOA, Unilever, AAK, and Migros. WWF's involvement established RSPO's environmental credibility and multi-stakeholder governance model from inception.
• Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA)foundationalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004MPOA was one of five founding members of RSPO in 2004, alongside WWF, Unilever, AAK, and Migros, contributing the perspective of major Malaysian oil palm producers to the organisation's foundational standards.
• UnileverfoundationalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Unilever was one of five founding members of RSPO in 2004, alongside WWF, MPOA, AAK, and Migros. As a major consumer goods manufacturer using palm oil, Unilever's involvement anchored the demand-side commitment to sourcing certified sustainable palm oil.
• AAKfoundationalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004AAK was one of five founding members of RSPO in 2004, alongside WWF, MPOA, Unilever, and Migros. As a palm oil processor and trader, AAK contributed expertise in palm oil supply chain operations to the organisation's foundational governance.
• MigrosfoundationalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Migros was one of five founding members of RSPO in 2004, alongside WWF, MPOA, Unilever, and AAK. As a major Swiss retailer, Migros represented the retail end of the palm oil supply chain in RSPO's founding governance structure.
• Department of Agriculture (Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThailand's Department of Agriculture collaborates with RSPO and Walailak University on the 'Khanom Model' to support independent smallholders in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in achieving RSPO ISH Certification, promoting Best Management Practices and low-carbon production.
• Walailak University (Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Khanom Model collaboration with Thailand's Department of Agriculture and RSPO, working with independent collection centres to support smallholder certification and strengthen physical supply chains in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
• Prince of Songkla University, Surat Thani Campus (Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with I-Tap and Ao Luk Settlement Cooperative on the 'Development of an RSPO-Aligned Cooperative Network for Sustainable Oil Palm Supply Chains in Southern Thailand' project, connecting 21 cooperatives in Krabi Province to systematically support smallholder RSPO Certification.
• JaSPON (Japan Sustainable Palm Oil Network)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSPO and JaSPON co-hosted a conference in Tokyo to strengthen cooperation between Thailand and Japan on sustainable palm oil supply chains, supporting Thailand's goal of 100% RSPO certified sustainable palm oil.
• KalekasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organisation Kaleka has partnered with RSPO to assist Indonesian smallholders in achieving certification. Between 2017 and 2025, Kaleka helped 5,278 independent smallholders (11,779 ha) obtain RSPO certification and 3,740 farmers (7,408 ha) receive ISPO certification, including supporting farmer Majianto in Central Kalimantan.
• Center for Indonesian Policy StudiessupportingOthersResearch organisation whose studies demonstrate the economic impact of RSPO certification for smallholders, showing that Indonesian palm oil smallholders who receive certification training can increase productivity by 5 to 10 percent, with potential to increase GDP from CPO exports by Rp 70.3 trillion.

Scale indicators24 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Global multi-stakeholder non-profit that sets sustainability certification standards for forest products. Directly comparable to RSPO in governance model (balanced stakeholder chambers), standards-development process, third-party CB oversight, and label-based consumer communication.
• Roundtable on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS): Multi-stakeholder standard-setter for responsible soy production with analogous chain-of-custody models (Mass Balance, Segregated, Credits). Closely matches RSPO in non-profit roundtable structure, crop-specific focus on deforestation-risk commodities, and member-based governance.
• Better Cotton Initiative (BCI): Largest sustainability standard for cotton, also a multi-stakeholder non-profit running mass-balance certification with credits. Comparable to RSPO in smallholder focus (field-level producers), capacity-building programmes, and downstream brand/retailer membership model.
• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC): Independent non-profit running the world's most recognised sustainable seafood certification, with chain-of-custody and ecolabel consumer-facing model. Closely comparable to RSPO in non-profit standards body with CB-issued certificates, label licensing, and supply-chain traceability mechanisms.

Broad incumbents

• Rainforest Alliance: International non-profit operating the UTZ/Rainforest Alliance certification across multiple commodities including palm oil, cocoa, coffee, tea. Overlaps directly with RSPO on palm oil but spans a wider portfolio, comparable to a broader incumbent in the same certification ecosystem.
• Fairtrade International: Global non-profit setting ethical and sustainability standards with the FAIRTRADE Mark across multiple commodities including palm oil. Comparable to RSPO in non-profit label-driven model, third-party certification, and supply-chain premium structures, though broader scope and stronger consumer-brand recognition in food.

Emerging players

• ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification): Multi-commodity sustainability and carbon certification system widely used for palm oil and biofuels under EU RED. Comparable to RSPO in palm oil certification scope and Book & Claim credit trading, but covers broader feedstocks and has stronger alignment with EU energy regulation.

Regional players

• Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO): Mandatory national palm oil certification scheme run by the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture. Directly comparable to RSPO on P&C-equivalent criteria, but serves Indonesian producers exclusively under government mandate and competes for the same certified-volume pool.
• Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO): Malaysian government-led national palm oil certification standard covering all Malaysian plantations and smallholders. Comparable to RSPO on sustainability criteria and supply-chain certification but is mandatory within Malaysia and competes with RSPO for member relevance.

Others

• Proforest: Mission-driven consultancy and programme operator supporting responsible production and sourcing of palm oil and other agricultural commodities. Adjacent enabler to RSPO, providing landscape-level implementation, smallholder support, and policy advisory services that complement certification schemes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rspotweets
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJq1r0E0atJpa0U-YQF4bWQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/RSPO.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/roundtable-on-sustainable-palm-oil-rspo
• Instagraminstagram.com/supportsustainablepalmoil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RSPO