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Endorsed by the RSPO Board of Governors and adopted at the 16th Annual General Assembly by RSPO Members on XX Month, 2023
Introduction
What is Independent Smallholder (ISH) Standard
The RSPO ISH Standard is part of a wider RSPO system. To support independent smallholders to move towards sustainability and livelihood improvements.
Understanding
Who can use the RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard
to pursue RSPO Certification
This RSPO ISH Standard is only applicable to those smallholders that qualify as independent smallholders and is applicable for sustainable palm oil production worldwide. Smallholders can be both men and women.
A smallholder can pursue certification through the RSPO ISH if:
01
They are NOT a scheme smallholder
02
The total size of their oil palm production area is
smaller than or equal to 50 hectares(ha) if no threshold is defined in a National Interpretation;
03
The total size of their oil palm production area is
smaller than or equal to the maximum size defined in a National Interpretation
04
They have the enforceable decision-making power
on the operation of the land and production practices.
05
They have the freedom to choose
how they utilise the land, type of crops to plant, and how to manage them (how they organise, manage and finance the land).
06
They meet any further criteria
relative to the applicability of this standard as provided in the National Interpretation of their country.
Understanding
To what does the RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard apply
The RSPO ISH Standard applies to the total combined plots of an individual smallholder that are under oil palm production. This is provided that the total area belonging to the individual smallholder does not exceed the size threshold (50 ha or as defined in a National Interpretation).
This ISH Standard is applicable for:
How to define the total size of a palm production area?
The total size of the oil palm production area is defined by accumulating all plots owned by a smallholder, regardless of where they are located. This includes:
Existing Plots With Oil Palm Planting
Areas Available For Replanting
Areas Allocated For New Oil Palm Planting
*This means if a smallholder owns and operates oil palm plots outside the group (unit of certification) that is being certified, even if this plot is in another village or another region, it is also counted as part of the cumulative hectares).
Understanding
Phases of smallholders
The RSPO ISH Standard introduces a phased approach to enable smallholders to achieve compliance over a specified period of time.
The approach includes three phases:
Entry Level
Eligibility (E);
minimum requirements that need to be met in order to enter the certification system.
Progress
Milestone A (MS A);
intermediate requirements to be met within 2 years.
Full Compliance
Milestone B (MS B);
final requirements to be met within 1 year of meeting milestone A.
Impact Areas
The RSPO P&C are organised into three impact areas according to the RSPO ToC.
01
Prosperity
A sustainable, competitive, and resilient palm oil sector ensures long-term viability of the entire supply chain and shared benefits for both private sector as well as the livelihoods of communities where oil palm is grown.
Read Criterias02
People
Human rights protected, respected and remedied. The palm oil sector contributes to reducing poverty and palm oil production is a source of sustainable livelihoods.
Read Criterias03
Planet
A sustainable, competitive, and resilient palm oil sector ensures long-term viability of the entire supply chain and shared benefits for both private sector as well as the livelihoods of communities where oil palm is grown.
Read Criterias