MEDIA STATEMENT: ​MPOCC EMPHASIZES THAT ALL CERTIFICATION BODIES (CBs) ADHERE TO THE SCHEME AND ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS

1.Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council (MPOCC), as an independent non-profit organisation emphasizes that all Certification Bodies (CBs) that operates the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification must always adhere to the requirements of the Department of Standards Malaysia (Standards Malaysia) and MPOCC.

2.It is important to ensure that all CBs and auditors who conduct audits under the MSPO Certification Scheme are competent to carry out credible, independent and consistent audits.

3.MPOCC will not compromise with any CB that fails to meet the standards set by Standards Malaysia as the MSPO Certification Scheme is being implemented on a mandatory basis beginning 2020.

4.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 stipulates the certification requirements for oil palm small holdings, plantations and palm oil processing facilities to ensure that the palm oil products are produced in a responsible and sustainable manner, while ensuring transparency and traceability.

5.Compliance with the MSPO Standards are 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 byStandards Malaysia.

6.We wish to emphasize that all CBsand auditors maintain a high level of integrity and carry out their responsibilities in an ethical, professional and impartial manner.

Statement by:Mr Chew Jit Seng

Chief Executive Officer, MPOCC13

January 2020