PUTRAJAYA (Feb 13): The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) 2.0 certification is fully capable of meeting the requirements set by the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), said MSPO chief executive officer (CEO) Mohamed Hafizin Mohamed Tajudin.

Speaking at a media briefing on MSPO 2.0 here, he said the EUDR mandates compliance with four key elements — land legality, labour treatment, traceability, and no deforestation — all of which are already embedded within the MSPO certification framework.

“For example, on the issue of deforestation, the EUDR stipulates that land must not be deforested after Dec 31, 2020. However, MSPO has an even stricter requirement, where land must not be deforested after Dec 31, 2019, to qualify for certification,” he said.

Mohamed Hafizin also highlighted that land ownership is a fundamental criterion for MSPO certification and that those without legitimate land titles will not be eligible to obtain MSPO certification.

Regarding labour treatment, he said MSPO incorporates a social impact assessment, ensuring that certified entities adhere to proper labour standards.

Regarding traceability, Mohamed Hafizin acknowledged that it had previously been a voluntary requirement under the 2013 standard. However, under the revised MSPO 2022 standard, traceability has become mandatory.

“This gives us strong confidence that any entity certified under MSPO 2.0 can meet the EUDR requirements,” he said.

Illustrating the effectiveness of MSPO 2.0 certification, he said a company looking to sell palm oil to European buyers can present its fully MSPO-certified supply chain as proof of compliance.

“When these products arrive at European ports, the competent authorities will see that they are MSPO-certified. Should they require further verification, they can access the e-MSPO system, which contains audit reports from 2013 to 2025,” he said.

He also emphasised that MSPO 2.0 goes beyond setting standards and conducting audits by providing a transparent system that allows certified entities to demonstrate their credibility to international markets and regulators.

The MSPO 2.0 comes into effect on Jan 1 this year, introducing stricter guidelines for sustainability, traceability, and ethical practices in palm oil production.

MSPO, formerly known as the Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council, said the MSPO 2.0 improves upon the original MSPO 2013 standard by adopting stricter and more comprehensive requirements, aligning with current global standards and expectations for environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance practices (ESG). 

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