4.1 Criteria

High Conservation Value (HCVs) areas and High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests after November 2019, in the smallholder plot or within the managed areas, identified through the simplified combined HCV-HCS approach, are managed to ensure that they are maintained and/or enhanced.

4.2 Criteria

Where the existing smallholder plot has been planted and cleared after November 2005 or is on an area identified as HCS forest after November 2019 up to the eligibility period, a Remediation and Compensation Procedure (RaCP) process appropriate for smallholders based on Land Use Change Analysis (LUCA) will be applicable (reference preamble).

4.3 Criteria

Do any smallholders within the group have plans for new planting of oil palm? If none, SKIP.

New planting of independent smallholders, since November 2019:

• Do not replace any HCVs
• Do not replace any HCS forests as defined by the simplified combined HCVHCS approach
• Are not on steep slopes (more than 25 degrees or as in the National Interpretation)
• Are not on peat areas of any depth
• Are not located in restricted areas or protected by national laws
• Are not on riparian areas

4.4 Criteria

Do any smallholders within the group have existing plots on peat? If no, SKIP

Where smallholder plots exist on peat, subsidence and degradation of peat soils are minimised by use of best management practices.

4.5 Criteria

Do any smallholders within the group have plans for replanting plots that are located on peat? If no, SKIP.

Plots on peat are replanted only on areas with low risk of flooding or saline intrusion as demonstrated by an RSPO approved flood risk assessment, in accordance with the RSPO ISH Flood Risk Assessment Template.

4.6 Criteria

Fire is not used on the oil palm plot for preparing land or for pest control, and no open burning for waste management on the farm.

4.7 Criteria

Riparian buffer zones are identified and managed to ensure maintenance and/or improvement, in accordance with national legislation and taking into account the RSPO Manual for the latest version of the Management and Rehabilitation of Riparian Reserves - Simplified Guide

4.8 Criteria

Pesticides are used in ways that do not endanger the health of workers, family, communities or the environment.

4.9 Criteria

The group and smallholders manage pests, diseases, weeds and invasive introduced species using appropriate techniques, including but not limited to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.