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The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) programme, formerly the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan's Alliance for Sustainable Supply Chain (ASSC) to boost demand and expand market access for MSPO-certified palm oil in premium Japanese industrial sectors.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Commodities, the collaboration marks a significant step in Malaysia's efforts to strengthen the global standing of its sustainable palm oil industry.
The statement said: "This collaboration is expected to open new avenues within high-value Japanese industries and reinforce Malaysia's presence within global sustainable supply chains."
The ministry added that the partnership places the MSPO programme at the heart of Japan's sustainable procurement ecosystem, giving Malaysian producers direct access to buyers who prioritise responsible sourcing.
Agriculture and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said: "This strategic partnership is an important milestone in Malaysia's efforts to lead global sustainable palm oil initiatives. It reflects growing international recognition of MSPO as a credible and comprehensive certification that meets the highest environmental and social standards."
He added: "At its core, MSPO is not just about markets — it is about people too. This collaboration opens up real opportunities for smallholders, empowers workers, and uplifts rural communities by ensuring that the palm oil they produce reaches high-value, sustainability-conscious markets such as Japan."
The ministry explained that the partnership builds on the findings of a comprehensive Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) conducted by Japan's Ajinomoto and the ASSC alliance in 2023, which affirmed the robustness of the MSPO framework as comprehensive and aligned with international expectations, particularly regarding the protection of smallholders' livelihoods and workers' rights.
The statement said: "ASSC will serve as a key knowledge and support partner for MSPO in Japan, helping to raise industry awareness, influence purchasing decisions, and drive greater adoption of certified sustainable palm oil in one of the world's most quality-conscious markets."
Source: Bernama