FoodNavigator-Asia spoke to Stefano Savi, Global Outreach and Engagement Director for the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) during the 16th RSPO Annual Roundtable Conference on Sustainable Palm Oil (RT16) to find out more.
Savi gave us an in-depth look into RSPO as well as the journey and challenges faced through the ratification of its new Principles and Criteria (P&C) 2018, which were voted on during the RSPO General Assembly as part of the RT 16 earlier this year.
The new P&C means that certification standards that have to be met in order to obtain and/or maintain membership with RSPO and be certified as a sustainable palm oil producer have become more stringent.
“It is the largest and most inclusive review for any standard in any commodity that has ever been done,” said Savi.
He also spoke on how food and beverage companies in Asia need to do more in order to keep up globally in terms of sustainability.
“For Asia, the biggest task we have is to actually start doing something, because nothing much has happened,” said Savi.
“In China, we have a ways to go but at least things are starting to move. [But really] in Southeast Asia and in India, we still have a long way to go.”
Savi also clarified the differences between P&C Certification standard and Supply Chain Certification standard. Watch the video to find out more.
