Late last year, purchasing sustainable palm oil became even more attractive thanks to GreenPalm and UTZ Certified lowering their transaction fees. Both traders now charge 2 US dollars per metric ton (MT) sustainable palm oil, whatever supply chain system is used (i.e. 'segregated', 'mass balance' or 'book and claim'). Contributions to the RSPO remain at 1 USD/MT, bringing total fees (transaction fee + contribution to RSPO) to 3 USD/MT. Late last year, the RSPO pledged to use fees collected from certified palm oil trade for helping small plantation owners meet certification requirements such as local inspections by independent certifying agents. The policy will be part of the Taskforce on Smallholders' new work program, which is under development.
Note:
As of 1 January 2017, the RSPO no longer endorses GreenPalm as the service provider for the trade in Book and Claim certificates. From this date, RSPO-certified volumes can be sold via Credits on the RSPO PalmTrace platform.
