EUDR palm oil preparation & RSPO-Certified Palm Oil

From Voluntary Standard to Legal Requirement

SD Guthrie is a founding member of the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil), established in 2004.

Alongside voluntary certification, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) now sets mandatory requirements for companies supplying certain commodities, including palm oil, to the EU market. The first deadline of 30 December 2026 for large companies was postponed by one year: large operators and traders must now comply by 30 December 2027, and small and medium-sized companies by 30 June 2026.

RSPO Certification and EUDR Readiness

Two areas matter right now: RSPO certification and EUDR readiness. While they share some similarities, they are not exactly the same.

RSPO Certification

RSPO certification covers environmental criteria (including no-deforestation commitments) as well as labor and community-rights standards. It offers different certification models: Identity Preserved, Segregated, Mass Balance, and Book & Claim, each providing a different level of traceability.

EUDR Readiness

The EUDR is a legal requirement, not a voluntary scheme. Companies placing palm oil (and several other commodities) on the EU market must demonstrate that the product was not grown on land deforested after 31 December 2020 and was produced legally in its country of origin, supported by geolocation data and due-diligence records.

Comparison Table: RSPO vs. EUDR

Feature	RSPO Certification	EUDR Requirements
Type	Voluntary certification scheme	Mandatory EU regulation
Main Goal	Promote and certify responsible palm oil production	Minimise EU-driven deforestation and forest degradation
Scope	Environmental and social requirements for certified palm oil production	Deforestation, forest degradation, legality and due diligence
Traceability	Depends on the supply chain model: Identity Preserved, Segregated, Mass Balance or RSPO Credits	Requires supply-chain information, including geolocation of production plots
Deforestation Cut-Off Date	RSPO includes no-deforestation requirements under its Principles & Criteria	Relevant products must be deforestation-free after 31 December 2020
Legality Check	Legal compliance forms part of RSPO certification requirements	Relevant products must have been produced in accordance with relevant legislation in the country of production
Verification	Certification audits conducted by accredited certification bodies	Due diligence obligations apply under the EUDR, with checks by competent authorities
Status	Certification against an independent sustainability standard	Legal requirements applying from 30 December 2026 for large and medium operators, and 30 June 2027 for most micro and small operators

Why RSPO and EUDR Palm Oil Matter

The certifications are not only about meeting standards for the sake of compliance. This process is about future-proofing your business. Responsibly sourced palm oil is better positioned for long-term viability.

It helps avoid supply chain disruptions. It reduces the risk of being locked out of critical markets. And it builds trust with investors, with partners, and with everyday people trying to make better choices.

There's paperwork, process, and a bit of uncertainty, especially as the EUDR rules take shape. But waiting until it's all perfectly clear might be a mistake. Starting now means you're ahead, prepared, and not panicked.

Start the EUDR Check View the EUDR Customer Journey

Preparing for EUDR Palm Oil with RSPO-Certified Palm Oil