RSPO to Recertify IOI Group: Response

Press release - August 5, 2016

Jakarta, August 5, 2016 -- Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaigner Annisa Rahmawati said: “Re-certifying the IOI group on the basis of unreliable promises, without waiting for verified action on the ground is risky and counter-productive. It sends the message that the RSPO is more concerned about helping a founding member regain its customers than ensuring its standards are upheld.

“When IOI lost its RSPO certification, dozens of companies took their business elsewhere. The RSPO’s hasty about-turn doesn’t make IOI any less toxic. IOI hasn’t restored the forests it destroyed nor resolved its social conflicts with communities in Malaysia. Its drainage operations still pose a serious fire risk for peatlands both inside its concessions and in the adjoining landscape.

“The RSPO has proved too weak to stick by its sustainability mandate. Buyer companies should not make the same terrible mistake, but instead hold out for verified action from this industry laggard before resuming trade.”

[ends]

Notes to Editor

Today the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) announced it will lift the suspension of RSPO certification for the entire IOI Group effective from 8th August 2016. See http://www.rspo.org/news-and-events/announcements/update-on-the-status-of-ioi-groups-certification

For further background, see Greenpeace report http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/publications/Campaign-reports/Forests-Reports/Burning-Issue/ and previous release http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/Press-Centre/Press-Releases/Cargill-Demands-IOI-Issue-a-Responsible-Sourcing-Policy-Greenpeace-Reaction/ and http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/Press-Centre/Press-Releases/IOI-Dropped-by-Worlds-Largest-Food-Company-and-Targeted-by-a-Score-of-NGOs-Pressure-Mounts-on-Palm-Oil-Giant/

Media Contacts

Annisa Rahmawati, Forest Campaigner, Greenpeace Indonesia. Mobile: +62 8111097527

Igor O'Neill, International Media for Greenpeace Indonesia. , Mobile +62 811 1923 721