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The European Union has officially recognised the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification as a credible sustainability standard with a robust digital traceability system. This will help palm oil producers meet the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
The recognition comes following a visit to Malaysia last week by EU Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, reinforcing MSPO's status as the country's national sustainability framework for palm oil.
MSPO certification is audited by independent third-party certification bodies and is a mandatory standard covering the entire palm oil value chain, from smallholders and producers through to mills, traders and manufacturers.
The certification requires legality, transparency, inclusiveness and accountability at every stage, in line with international market requirements.
Introduced in 2015, the certification also includes a strict cut-off date of 31 December 2019, which prohibits deforestation for certification purposes, ensuring that certified palm oil is deforestation-free and legally sourced.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the EU's recognition affirms Malaysia's leadership in the global shift towards sustainable palm oil.
"MSPO certification provides assurances on legality, cut-off date compliance and digital traceability, while ensuring that more than half a million smallholders are fully integrated into the sustainability agenda. This proves that Malaysia can meet global market expectations without leaving anyone behind," he said in a statement.
Johari added: "The EU's recognition also underscores the credibility of MSPO certification as a trusted and future-ready standard. It reassures global buyers that Malaysian palm oil is legally sourced, traceable and sustainable, anchored in smallholders' livelihoods and backed by a mandatory national framework."
The EU and Malaysia have agreed to continue close cooperation ahead of the EUDR coming into force, to ensure that operators importing commodities such as palm oil, rubber, timber and cocoa are ready to meet their obligations.
In a joint EU-Malaysia statement issued last Friday, Roswall also praised Malaysia's efforts in reducing deforestation to unprecedented low levels, and reaffirmed the EU's readiness to support joint initiatives, including projects aimed at helping smallholders supply sustainable, traceable commodities to the EU market.
Source: Bernama