Nestlé restored as RSPO member following palm oil pledge

Nestlé has been reinstated as a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) three weeks after its initial suspension, according to a joint statement published by the company and the watchdog.

Nestlé’s membership was suspended on 27 June after the company failed to provide a report detailing how it would ensure the use of certified sustainable palm oil, a requirement that needs to be met for RSPO membership.

However, Nestlé has now been reinstated as a member effective from 16 July, as the company has made a commitment to achieve 100% RSPO certified sustainable palm oil by 2023.

The company will retain all of its certifications as a result of the reinstatement.

Benjamin Ware, Nestlé’s global head of responsible sourcing, said: “Transparency in our supply chain has always been a priority. Nestlé has always been committed to implementing responsible sourcing and has made significant progress towards our commitment to using fully responsibly sourced palm oil.

“Nestlé supports RSPO’s role in driving industry-wide change and appreciates its decision following the submission of our action plan, which focuses on increasing traceability primarily through segregated RSPO palm oil.

“This builds on Nestlé’s ongoing activities to achieve a traceable and responsibly sourced palm oil supply chain.

“In line with the RSPO’s objectives, this work will focus on preventing deforestation, particularly the protection of peatland and high-carbon stock land, as well as respecting human rights across the value chain.”

Darrel Webber, CEO of RSPO, said, “The RSPO is more than a certification scheme, it is a commitment scheme. When joining RSPO, all our members make a commitment to transform the palm oil industry.

“Nestlé has pledged to step up their efforts in working actively on solutions within the RSPO system, via active participation. It’s with this in mind that we are welcoming Nestlé back to the Roundtable, confident they will live up to our membership obligations and succeed in delivering on their time-bound plan.

“We trust that by working collectively we are able to realize a sustainable, respectful and responsible palm oil industry.”