The HCV Assessor Licensing Scheme (ALS) is now open for applications. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) will require ALS licensed assessors for all New Planting Procedures (NPPs) starting January 2015.
By requiring licensed assessors, RSPO is actively leading the way in improving the performance of HCV assessors and achieving higher quality HCV assessments. RSPO invites other certification schemes that use HCV assessments to require the use of ALS assessors and contribute to achieving more consistent implementation of the HCV approach around the world.
Timeline for transition
- Oct 31, 2014: Official launch of the ALS, RSPO will stop accepting/approving HCV assessor applications.
- Dec 31st, 2014: Registration of all current RSPO-registered assessors will expire. Assessors currently registered with RSPO are strongly encouraged to apply for an ALS licence.
- Jan 1st, 2015: From this date, all New Planting Procedures (NPP) will require HCV assessments to be led by ALS licensed assessors.
HCV assessors
The existing HCV assessor registration system of RSPO will be phased out by December 31st 2014. All current RSPO-registered HCV assessors are strongly encouraged to apply to become licensed assessors under the ALS, especially those who expect to be leading HCV assessments for New Planting Procedures (NPP) in 2015. Assessors currently working as team members or discipline specialists on HCV assessments do not need an HCV licence unless they wish to lead HCV assessments in the future.
Palm oil companies
HCV assessments are a requirement of RSPO’s New Planting Procedures (NPP). Where RSPO formerly required an RSPO-approved HCV assessor for this, it will now require an ALS licensed assessor.
If a company is contracting an HCV assessment in the context of a NPP and the assessment is expected to start after January 1st 2015, the company is required to use a licensed HCV lead assessor. A database of assessors will be publically available on the ALS website.
How to apply?
Visit
www.hcvnetwork.org/als
More Information
Visit
www.hcvnetwork.org/als or email the HCV Resource Network Secretariat at
[email protected] 
