Understanding how to read between the lines.
Here are a few common lines that are used in company statements regarding their use of Palm Oil. Here we explain how to read between the lines and understand exactly what it is a company is saying. When you receive a statement from a company it is best to ask further questions to clarify what they are telling you.
In many cases these statements are worded to sway the consumer into believing the brand is sourcing certified Palm Oil, some are, although the majority are not.
In many cases these statements are worded to sway the consumer into believing the brand is sourcing certified Palm Oil, some are, although the majority are not.
Typical misleading quotes written into brand statements.
Our palm oil usage equates to only a small percentage of world wide supply.
Most companies state their minimal use; combine all these companies together and you begin to see the bigger picture of this issue. Ask the company what they consider to be minimal use. Many will give a percentage of worldwide usage. This way it looks like a tiny amount. For example, one company stated, "only a small amount (less than 0.05%) of the total 40 million metric tonnes of palm oil produced annually." However, we calculated this to be around 20 thousand metric ton, so ask how many tons they use per year.
We don't use Palm Oil, we only use ingredients that may be derived from palm oil.
We have been astounded at the number of companies and brands that state they don't use palm oil when we can see in the ingredients that they clearly do. We have come across company statements that deny any use of palm oil in their products, however when questioned further they then state they do use the derivatives but not the oil. This is extremely confusing for the consumer. It must be understood that a derivative of palm oil IS palm oil usage.
Always ask the company if they use Palm Oil or Derivatives of Palm Oil.
When it comes to personal care products, many companies will state that their ingredients are not palm derived and will claim coconut. The issue here is that sole coconut source is very rare and normally mixed with palm.
We are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
It must be noted that even though a company is a member of the RSPO it does not necessarily mean that they are purchasing certified sustainable palm oil. It means they have made a commitment to EVENTUALLY purchase certified palm oil. Very few brands have reached full certification.
For a brand to be able to claim certification they need to supply the RSPO with annual ACOP reports showing volumes used, time bound plan and supply chains used. They also need to have their supply audited by RSPO supply chain auditors. Until such time as the audit has been done and official audit certificate supplied, they cannot truthfully claim fully certified.
Ask how much of the palm oil they source is Certified Sustainable Palm Oil, whether that is Greenpalm, Mass Balance, Segregated or Identity Preserved. Ask them when they intend to source 100% segregated CSPO. They will usually give a date, currently the year 2020 seems to be the norm, in which case you might want to ask them what prevents them from shifting to it sooner.
We purchase our Palm Oil from members of the RSPO
Brands who are not members of the RSPO are not allowed to make any claims of sourcing from RSPO members, nor are they allowed to make any reference to the RSPO or certified palm oil in their statements.
As the brand if they themselves are members of the RSPO and politely point out that if they are not, that it is against RSPO regulations to make any claims regarding the RSPO, sustainable palm oil or certification.
We use greenpalm sustainable palm oil OR we use sustainable palm oil.
GreenPalm also known as Book and Claim is not certified nor is it sustainable. GreenPalm supports the production of sustainable palm oil. The physical oil itself is not sustainable nor certified. GreenPalm certificates are purchased by brands to offset their usage. Ask the brand why they have not shifted to using physically certified palm oil.
We use certified mass balance palm oil.
Mass Balance is a mixture of certified with uncertified, is not certified nor is it sustainable. The percentage of certified palm oil in the mass balance supply chain can be minimal in the mix. Mass Balance only supports the production of certified palm oil. Using mass balance is a step forward toward full certification but it is not traceable to the source. Ask the brand why they have not shifted to using fully certified palm oil.
Most companies state their minimal use; combine all these companies together and you begin to see the bigger picture of this issue. Ask the company what they consider to be minimal use. Many will give a percentage of worldwide usage. This way it looks like a tiny amount. For example, one company stated, "only a small amount (less than 0.05%) of the total 40 million metric tonnes of palm oil produced annually." However, we calculated this to be around 20 thousand metric ton, so ask how many tons they use per year.
We don't use Palm Oil, we only use ingredients that may be derived from palm oil.
We have been astounded at the number of companies and brands that state they don't use palm oil when we can see in the ingredients that they clearly do. We have come across company statements that deny any use of palm oil in their products, however when questioned further they then state they do use the derivatives but not the oil. This is extremely confusing for the consumer. It must be understood that a derivative of palm oil IS palm oil usage.
Always ask the company if they use Palm Oil or Derivatives of Palm Oil.
When it comes to personal care products, many companies will state that their ingredients are not palm derived and will claim coconut. The issue here is that sole coconut source is very rare and normally mixed with palm.
We are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
It must be noted that even though a company is a member of the RSPO it does not necessarily mean that they are purchasing certified sustainable palm oil. It means they have made a commitment to EVENTUALLY purchase certified palm oil. Very few brands have reached full certification.
For a brand to be able to claim certification they need to supply the RSPO with annual ACOP reports showing volumes used, time bound plan and supply chains used. They also need to have their supply audited by RSPO supply chain auditors. Until such time as the audit has been done and official audit certificate supplied, they cannot truthfully claim fully certified.
Ask how much of the palm oil they source is Certified Sustainable Palm Oil, whether that is Greenpalm, Mass Balance, Segregated or Identity Preserved. Ask them when they intend to source 100% segregated CSPO. They will usually give a date, currently the year 2020 seems to be the norm, in which case you might want to ask them what prevents them from shifting to it sooner.
We purchase our Palm Oil from members of the RSPO
Brands who are not members of the RSPO are not allowed to make any claims of sourcing from RSPO members, nor are they allowed to make any reference to the RSPO or certified palm oil in their statements.
As the brand if they themselves are members of the RSPO and politely point out that if they are not, that it is against RSPO regulations to make any claims regarding the RSPO, sustainable palm oil or certification.
We use greenpalm sustainable palm oil OR we use sustainable palm oil.
GreenPalm also known as Book and Claim is not certified nor is it sustainable. GreenPalm supports the production of sustainable palm oil. The physical oil itself is not sustainable nor certified. GreenPalm certificates are purchased by brands to offset their usage. Ask the brand why they have not shifted to using physically certified palm oil.
We use certified mass balance palm oil.
Mass Balance is a mixture of certified with uncertified, is not certified nor is it sustainable. The percentage of certified palm oil in the mass balance supply chain can be minimal in the mix. Mass Balance only supports the production of certified palm oil. Using mass balance is a step forward toward full certification but it is not traceable to the source. Ask the brand why they have not shifted to using fully certified palm oil.