KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 13): The Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC), an independent non-profit organisation, has urged all certification bodies that operate the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, which is mandatory beginning 2020, to adhere to the requirements of the Department of Standards Malaysia (Standards Malaysia) and MPOCC.

"It is important to ensure that all certification bodies and auditors who conduct audits under the MSPO Certification Scheme are competent to carry out credible, independent and consistent audits," MPOCC chief executive officer Chew Jit Seng said in a statement today.

"MPOCC will not compromise with any certification body that fails to meet the standards set by Standards Malaysia as the MSPO Certification Scheme," he added.

The MSPO Standards, namely the MS 2530:2013 series of standards issued by Standards Malaysia, and the MSPO Supply Chain Certification Standard (SCCS) issued by MPOCC, stipulate the certification requirements for oil palm smallholdings, plantations and palm oil processing facilities to ensure palm oil products are produced in a responsible and sustainable manner, while ensuring transparency and traceability.

Chew also said compliance with the MSPO Standards is an essential component of the management system for sustainable management and production of certified palm oil.

"These standards were developed through consultation with key stakeholders and related groups, and are approved by Standards Malaysia," he said.