The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a multi-stakeholder initiative with the aim of promoting the sustainable sourcing and use of certified sustainable palm oil. The RSPO collaboratively develop a global standard for the entire supply chain of sustainable palm oil through a set of environmental and social criteria. These aim to reduce the negative impacts of palm oil cultivation.
The RSPO certification standard does not permit the deforestation of rainforest or protected areas, for the cultivation of palm oil. It also requires that the basic rights of indigenous landowners, local communities, farming operation employees, small farmers and their families are respected. To become certified, growers must prove to independent auditors their successful implementation of targeted measures.
As a member of RSPO at an international level, we promote and seek opportunities for engagement with companies, non-governmental organisations and European initiatives to develop partnerships for initiating improvements. Since 2015, Lidl has exclusively used palm (kernel) oil for its own brand products that is certified from at least mass balance and increasingly from segregated supply chains.
