GUIDANCE 2020

GUIDANCE FOR THE 2018

RSPO PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA
METRICS TEMPLATE
Document Title : Guidance for the 2018 RSPO Principles and
Criteria Metrics Template
Document Code : RSPO-GUI-P03-003 V2 ENG
Scope : International
Document Type : Guidance
Approval : November/2020 (Revised in May/2021)
Contact : [email protected]

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION 2
1.1 Overview of the 2018 RSPO P&C Metrics 3
HOW WILL THE DATA BE USED? 4
1.2 About the RSPO P&C Metrics Template 4
UNIT OF CERTIFICATION 4
REPORTING TIME FRAME 4
DATA REQUIREMENT 5
2.0 2018 RSPO P&C METRICS: DEFINITIONS 9
2.1 Economic Indicators 9
a. Production and sales 9
b. Yield (Land Productivity) 9
2.2 Social Indicators 10
a. Labour 10
b. Training 10
c. Inclusion of smallholders and outgrowers 11
d. Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) 11
e. Complaints and Grievances 12
2.3 Environmental Indicators 12
a. Pesticide use 12
b. Freshwater usage by mill 12
c. Biodiversity 13
3.0 METRICS DATA FLOW 14
4.0 METRICS DATA COMMUNICATION OVERVIEW 15
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CB Certification Body
CPO Crude palm oil
CSPK Certified Sustainable Palm Kernel
CSPO Certified Sustainable Palm Oil
FFB Fresh Fruit Bunch
GIS Geographic Information System
HCV High Conservation Value
HCS High Carbon Stock
INANI Indonesia National Interpretation
KPI Key Performance Indicator
LTIFR Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate
MYNI Malaysia National Interpretation
P&C Principles and Criteria
PK Palm Kernel
PO Palm Oil
RSPO Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
SCCS Supply Chain Certification Standard
SDG Sustainable Development Goal
SSC Standard Standing Committee
ToC Theory of Change

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1.0 Introduction

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a multi-stakeholder, not-for-profit organisation,

focusing on advancing the production, procurement, finance, and use of sustainable palm oil products.
Sustainable palm oil production comprises legal, economically viable, environmentally appropriate, and
socially beneficial management and operations. This is delivered through the application of the RSPO
Principles and Criteria (P&C), and the accompanying Indicators and Guidance.
The first set of Principles and Criteria, Indicators and Guidance (2007 RSPO P&C) has been applied since
November 2007. After five years of application by RSPO members, 2007 RSPO P&C were reviewed in
2012/2013, leading to the 2013 RSPO P&C. After a further five years of application, they were reviewed
and revised in 2017/2018 by the RSPO Principles and Criteria Review Task Force.
In November 2018, the RSPO Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Palm Oil Production (2018 RSPO P&C)
were adopted and applied to all production level companies, i.e., all mills who do not fall under the
definition of independent mill, as outlined in the RSPO Supply Chain Certification Standard (SCCS); and to
all growers, who do not meet the definition of Independent Smallholder, or the applicability requirements
as outlined in the RSPO Smallholder Standard. They are referred to as the Unit of Certification throughout
this document.
Criterion 3.2 of the 2018 RSPO P&C has a continuous improvement requirement, which includes reporting
to the RSPO Secretariat using the RSPO P&C Metrics Template. This requirement refers to a small set of
strategic outcome-based metrics, which are of value to growers, relates directly to the P&C, and aligns
with the RSPO Theory of Change1 (ToC) and RSPO organisational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This
will provide RSPO with information on the results of the P&C implementation. The data received will be
anonymised for analysis, marketing, and impact assessment.
The RSPO P&C Metrics Template was drafted and reviewed from December 2018 to February 2019. The
process was driven by the Impact and Evaluation Department, with the involvement of a consultant, other
departments in the RSPO Secretariat, and members of the Standard Standing Committee (SSC). The draft
Metrics Template was also presented in a Certification Bodies (CBs) workshop in January 2019 to solicit
feedback. The revised template was then pilot tested by a few growers who volunteered to be part of the
process. The feedback received from the pilot testing was discussed with the consultant, RSPO Secretariat,
and the SSC. The Malaysia National Interpretation (MYNI) Taskforce and Indonesia National Interpretation
(INANI) Taskforce had also provided their comments on the Metrics Template. The Metrics Template was
finalised in November 2020 and was endorsed by the SSC on 13 November 2020.
This document aims to establish a common suite of outcome-oriented metrics to enable all stakeholders
to understand the progress towards achieving the RSPO vision of making sustainable palm oil the norm.
This document also provides guidance and clarification on how to use the RSPO P&C Metrics Template,
the flow of the metrics data from the unit of certification to the RSPO Secretariat, and what results are
communicated to the public.

1
https://rspo.org/impacts/theory-of-change

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1.1 OVERVIEW OF THE 2018 RSPO P&C METRICS

The 2018 RSPO P&C are organised into three impact areas using the RSPO ToC as a framework.

IMPACT AREA 2018 RSPO P&C

PROSPERITY Principle 1: Behave ethically and transparently

Impact Goal: Principle 2: Operate legally and respect rights
Competitive, resilient, and Principle 3: Optimise productivity, efficiency, positive
sustainable sector impacts and resilience

PEOPLE Principle 4: Respect community and human rights and

Impact Goal: deliver benefits
Sustainable livelihoods and poverty Principle 5: Support smallholder inclusion
reduction. Human rights protected, Principle 6: Respect workers’ rights and conditions
respected and remedied

PLANET
Impact Goal: Principle 7: Protect, conserve and enhance ecosystems and
Conserved, protected and enhanced the environment
ecosystems that provide for the
next generation

Selection of the 2018 RSPO P&C metrics has been made by identifying the key agreed upon goals of the
2018 RSPO P&C:
● Productivity, Efficiency, Positive Impacts, and Resilience
● Community Rights and Benefits
● Smallholder Inclusivity
● Workers’ Rights and Conditions
● Ecosystems and Environment Protection and Conservation
The selected metrics are directly related to the P&C, aligned with the ToC and linked with other globally
relevant outcomes such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Most importantly,
the metrics add value to the units of certification by helping them to track the progress towards outcomes
in the ToC and to demonstrate the results of the implementation of the P&C.
The reporting of the metrics is required, but the numbers reported are not used to measure compliance.
In other words, the unit of certification only needs to record and report the actual data to show
conformance with the P&C requirements but is not required to meet a specific level. This is opposed to a
threshold/target metric that the unit of certification must meet in order to show conformance.
Important note: Not all metrics will be captured via the metric template. In the RSPO P&C, climate change
is addressed through the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and the prohibition on the use of fire
unless in exceptional circumstances. Currently, the GHG is being recorded via the RSPO PalmGHG
Calculator and reported in the RSPO Impact Report.

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RSPO is monitoring hotspots for signs of fires on RSPO members’ oil palm concessions through a
geographic information system (GIS) and automated alerts from Global Forest Watch. Members are
requested to take action and report back on the hotspot alert notifications and ground verification results.
Fire incidences are required to be dealt with urgently, therefore the recording, monitoring, evaluation and
reporting of hotspots and fires are being undertaken and reported internally by the RSPO GIS unit.
Both metrics will therefore be recorded and reported separately from this metric template via existing
mechanisms until a platform is ready to collect and combine these data for analysis.

HOW WILL THE DATA BE USED?

All data collected will be aggregated and anonymised when used by RSPO for internal learning, peer
learning, marketing, or other public reporting through the RSPO website and Impact Report.

1.2 ABOUT THE RSPO P&C METRICS TEMPLATE

As per Criterion 3.2, all metrics data must be collected at the level of the Unit of Certification and reported
to the RSPO Secretariat using the RSPO P&C Metrics Template. The Metrics Template is designed to
collect annual quantitative data of a set of indicators for single mill, multi-mills, and individual estate(s)
certified under the 2018 RSPO P&C.

UNIT OF CERTIFICATION
For single-mill certification, data for the certified mill and its supply bases are required. For multi-mills
certification where more than one mill shares the same supply base, data for all the certified mills under
this unit of certification and their supply bases are required. For individual estate(s) certification with no
integrated mill, or where the mill is not yet established, fields relating to mills in the template are not
required.

REPORTING TIME FRAME

The Metrics Template is required to be filled in by the Unit of Certification prior to an RSPO certification,
recertification, and annual surveillance audit.
To facilitate consistent and comparable use of the metrics, a typical reporting time frame for metrics
would consist of a calendar year (January to December) period.
However, the unique nature of the RSPO certification system that is based on a licence2 year reporting
period does not necessarily follow a calendar year (January to December) time frame; hence, two types
of time frames for recording of the metrics data are required in the template:
a. Annual calendar year (January to December) basis
All metrics are to be recorded on an annual calendar year (January to December) basis, which includes
information directly related to the implementation of the P&C, such as production and sales, capacity
building, smallholder inclusion, workers, High Conservation Value (HCV) area, High Carbon Stock (HCS)
area, and peatland conservation areas. Annual reporting of these metrics can be used to compare the
performance of the unit of certification from year to year, and the unit of certification can use these data
to help budget for the coming year. The calendar year refers to the previous calendar year of the audit
year.
Demographic data for workers in the mill and estate(s) are recorded as of 31 December of the previous
calendar year.

2
An annual request submitted by an RSPO Certification Body in the RSPO IT Platform when a certificate holder
undergoes either an initial or recertification or surveillance audit within the five years’ certificate validity. Upon
approval from the RSPO Secretariat, the licence allows certificate holders to carry out trading and record transactions.
A licence is valid for a year and needs to be renewed on every audit.

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 b. 12 month period counting up to two months before audit month
Economics metrics, such as Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) production, Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) and
Certified Sustainable Palm Kernel (CSPK) production and sales volumes, are reported based on a 12-month
period counting up to two months before the month when audit will be conducted. Refer to example 1.
This reporting time frame is important for the unit of certification to monitor and evaluate the actual
production from their mill(s) and supply bases. These metrics are also important for the implementation
of Shared Responsibility and are closely linked to the Matching Supply and Demand and Generating
Demand, Commitments and Uptake strategies in our Theory of Change. In addition, this information helps
the unit of certification to monitor and analyse production input related costs and expenditures, see
operational trends that could be detrimental to the business, and find ways to optimise operations.
Example 1: Annual surveillance audit (ASA) conducted in April 2021
Reporting time frames for economic data are:
i. Calendar year (January to December): January 2020 to December 2020, and
ii. 12 month period counting up to two months before audit month: March 2020 to February
2021
Reporting time frames for demographic data:
i. For mill and estate workers: as of 31 December 2020
ii. For smallholders and outgrowers: January 2020 to December 2020
Reporting time frame for all other social and environmental data:
i. January 2020 to December 2020

If audit is conducted in January, in which case the Unit of Certification is unable to provide data up to
December of the previous calendar year, the Unit of Certification is allowed to provide data up to
November for both reporting timeframe. Refer to Example 2.
Example 2: Annual surveillance audit (ASA) conducted in January 2022
Reporting time frames for economic data are:
i. Calendar year: January 2021 to November 2021, and
ii. 12 month period up to two months before audit month: December 2020 to November 2021
Reporting time frames for demographic data:
i. For mill and estate workers: as of 30 November 2021
ii. For smallholders and outgrowers: January 2021 to November 2021
Reporting time frame for all other social and environmental data:
i. January 2021 to November 2021

For a unit of certification going through initial certification, the RSPO P&C Metrics Template should also
be filled in for the previous calendar year. These data could serve as the baseline data. For economic
indicators (production and sales), these data are filled in as non-certified.

DATA REQUIREMENT
All data required in the metrics template are actual data.
Ideally, data for estates should be disaggregated in the metrics template as this will be more useful and
convenient during the audit process. However, for a unit of certification who cannot provide
disaggregated estate data at the moment, aggregated estate data is acceptable.

The table below summarises the metrics to be collected and reported for each unit of certification and
indicates their respective reporting period. Some of these metrics would need input from the unit of
certification whereas some of them will be calculated automatically by formula in the metrics template.

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 REPORTING SOURCE LINK TO TOC LINK TO 2018
METRIC MEASUREMENT
TIME FRAME OF DATA OUTCOMES RSPO P&C
ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Total production Metric tonne (MT) Annual Estate Improved risk 3.8.3
volume of FFB calendar year management
(Jan-Dec) and
12-month
Total production period
Mill
volume of certified
and non-certified
FFB, broken down by
scheme smallholders,
Independent
Smallholders, and
outgrowers
Yield (land Total FFB produced Annual Estate Productivity 7.4.1
productivity) in MT/total FFB calendar year optimised
production area in (Jan-Dec) and
hectares 12-month
period
Total production Metric tonne (MT) Annual Mill Improved risk 3.8.3
volume of certified calendar year management
PO and PK, and non- (Jan-Dec) and
certified PO and PK 12-month
period
Total sales volume of Metric tonne (MT) Annual Mill Improved risk 3.8.3
certified PO and calendar year management
certified PK (broken (Jan-Dec) and
down by RSPO 12-month
certified, other period
schemes certified,
and conventional)

SOCIAL INDICATORS

Demographic Total number of Annual Estate and Inclusive access 6.1.1 / 6.1.2 /
breakdown for workers, broken calendar year Mill to benefits; 6.1.3
workers/labour down by local and (Jan-Dec) human rights
non-local, contract upheld; safe
and permanent, and and decent
gender. work
Total number of
young workers
Training for workers Number of RSPO Annual Estate and Safe and decent 3.7.2 / 3.7.3 /
and smallholders related training calendar year Mill work; inclusive 5.2.2 / 5.2.4 /
organised; (Jan-Dec) access to 7.2.6
benefits
Number of workers/
smallholders
receiving training,
by gender.
Inclusion of Number of Annual Mill Inclusive access 5.1.8
smallholders individual calendar year to benefits
smallholders (Jan-Dec)

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 (scheme,
independent, and
outgrowers) by
gender
Lost time injury Number of injuries x Annual Estate and Safe and decent 6.7.5
frequency rate 1,000,000 ÷ total calendar year Mill work
(LTIFR) man hours worked (Jan-Dec)
Complaints and Number of Annual Estate and Human rights 1.1.5 / 4.2.1 /
Grievances grievance cases calendar year Mill upheld; 5.1.9 / 6.5.4
recorded; number ecosystems
(Jan-Dec)
of cases closed better
protected;
Agency and
voice;
Communities
and companies
in harmony

ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

Pesticide use The number of Annual Estate Reduced 7.2.2 / 7.2.4 /

times prophylactic calendar year pollution; 7.2.5
use of pesticide(s) (Jan-Dec) Resource use
has been carried out minimised
under exceptional
circumstances;
the number of times
pesticides classified
under WHO 1a and
1b, or being listed
by Stockholm and
Rotterdam
Conventions, is
used.
Freshwater usage Cubic metres (m3) Annual Mill Resource use 7.8.4
calendar year minimised
(Jan-Dec)
Biodiversity HCV area in Annual Mill Ecosystems 7.12.2
hectares; HCS area calendar year better
in hectares; protected
(Jan-Dec)
Additional set aside
river buffer that are
not part of HCV/HCS
areas in hectares;
peatland (planted
/conserved/
rehabilitated) in
hectares

The template can be downloaded from: https://rspo.org/library/lib_files/download/1440

The RSPO Secretariat is committed to improving, refining, and taking feedback into account in order to
refine the accuracy and relevance of this metrics template over time. It is a live document and will be
updated on a periodic basis.

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Analysis and feedback from RSPO’s ToC will also feed into refining this template, as the ToC is one of
RSPO’s main drivers for improvement.
RSPO reserves the right to update and make amendments to this version of the RSPO P&C Metrics
Template once the tools, guidance, and procedures related to this template (e.g., Decent Living Wage)
have been finalised.
We welcome your feedback as you use the tool. Let us know at [email protected].

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2.0 2018 RSPO P&C Metrics: Definitions

2.1 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

a. Production and sales

Description: Production and sales are measured through the following metrics:
i. Total production volume of certified and non-certified FFB
ii. Total production volume of certified and non-certified PO and PK
iii. Total sales volume of certified PO and certified PK
iv. Total sales volume of certified PO and certified PK under other schemes
v. Total sales volume of certified PO and PK as conventional
Rationale: To manage inputs for production and to ensure that the production process continues to be
efficient and cost-effective, growers need to measure the performance of their production. Monitoring of
certified and non-certified FFB volumes can prompt growers to investigate when there is excess of actual
FFB supply from the volume estimates. Growers also have an added traceability advantage on legally
sourced FFB, thereby reducing risks in the supply chain, that would then enable growers to sell CPO and
PK products as RSPO certified and make the related claims.
Guidance for implementation: These metrics are recorded in the template for both the reporting time
frames: (a) previous calendar year (January to December) and (b) 12 month period counting up to two
months before audit month.
● Production volume of FFB refers to production of the certified estate(s) within the unit of
certification. This data will be filled in under the ‘3.0 Annual-Estate’ sheet in the template.
Production volume of FFB from non-certified estate(s) is not required in the template.
● Volume of certified FFB that is diverted to other mills outside of the unit of certification under
special circumstances i.e., crop diversion or mill breakdown, is still included as part of the
production volume of FFB of the certified estate(s).
● Volume of certified and non-certified FFB that is received from other units of certification is not
required in the template.
● Total production volume of certified and non-certified FFB of smallholders (scheme and
independent) and outgrowers from the supply base of the unit of certification is required in the
template. This data will be filled in under the ‘2.0 Annual-Mill’ sheet in the template. Volume of
FFB received through collection centres, agents or other intermediaries is not required in the
template.

b. Yield (Land Productivity)

Description: This metric measures the volume of FFB produced per hectare of FFB production area.
Production area refers to mature oil palms area only, as opposed to a certified area, which comprises
mature and immature oil palms area, buildings and infrastructures, set aside conservation areas, and any
area within the boundary of the unit of certification.
Rationale: Growers can monitor and understand the effectiveness of implementing good agricultural
practices, e.g., good soil management, and optimise the use of fertilisers and pesticides to improve FFB
yields. This metric provides growers with business intelligence for decision-making to replant, conduct
performance management of the fields, develop innovative measures to optimise yield, and target
training efforts to improve yield.
Guidance for implementation: The volume of FFB produced in metric tonnes (MT) is recorded in the
template for both the reporting time frames: (a) previous calendar year (January to December) and (b) 12
month period counting up to two months before audit month.

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 ● The FFB production volume is recorded for certified estate(s) within the unit of certification.
● The annual yield is automatically calculated in MT of total FFB produced per hectare of total FFB
production area.

2.2 SOCIAL INDICATORS

a. Labour
Description: This metric measures the number of workers employed by the unit of certification either
directly or indirectly.
Rationale: The number of workers involved in the production of palm oil provides insight into the scale of
contribution of the unit of certification to the development of the local community. Disaggregating the
data by gender enables an understanding of gender representation across the unit of certification, and of
the optimal use of available labour. The unit of certification is also able to identify areas for improvement
in inclusivity and demonstrate that all workers have equal opportunity and are treated equally (non-
discrimination).
Guidance for implementation: Workers are reported as local or non-local, permanent or contract
workers, and expressed as head count. The number of workers reported in the template shall be taken as
at the end of the previous calendar year.
● Local workers: These refer to workers who are from the same country as the location of the unit
of certification but are not transmigrant workers (refer to definition of transmigrant worker under
category ‘non-local workers’).
● Non-local workers: These include migrant and transmigrant workers. Migrant workers are
defined as those who cross international boundaries for the purpose of employment, and do not
include those workers who move within a country for the purpose of employment. Transmigrant
workers are those who migrate from one part of the country to another with a view to being
employed other than on their own account.
● Permanent workers: These include all those paid employees who work all year round, as opposed
to only during peak season. It includes full-time and part-time workers. Part-time workers work
all year round but do not meet full-time equivalency standards (typically less than 35 hours a
week).
● Contract workers: These refer to persons engaged in temporary work, or work for a specific
period of time, including casual workers. It also refers to workers who are not employed directly
by the company but employed by a contractor or consultant with whom the company has a direct
contact.

b. Training
Description: This metric measures the number of RSPO-related training organised and number of
workers and smallholders receiving training at the unit of certification.
Rationale: Capacity building linked to good agricultural practices and social and environmental best
practices aims at improving field workers’ performance, health and safety, and smallholders’ livelihoods.
Guidance for implementation: These metrics are recorded for the previous calendar year (January to
December).
● Mills and estates provide the number of RSPO-related training organised or initiated by them. It
refers to training for any subjects or standards that are covered in the 2018 RSPO P&C, of which
some of this training (e.g., on safety and health) are carried out in compliance with laws and
regulations, or in accordance with programmes initiated by the company that are not necessarily
just for RSPO.

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 ● Total number of workers and smallholders receiving training is disaggregated by gender. These
numbers are recorded regardless of the number of trainings the individual worker and
smallholder has attended. For example, worker A has attended a total of three training sessions
and will only be recorded as one headcount instead of three in the template.

c. Inclusion of smallholders and outgrowers

Description: This metric measures the number of smallholders (scheme, independent and outgrowers)
who are involved in the production of sustainable palm oil.
Rationale: Inclusion of smallholders in the sustainable palm oil supply chain is important to ensure that
they are able to achieve a sustainable livelihood. As a first step, having basic information about
smallholders in the system allows the unit of certification to monitor the performance trend of FFB
production by smallholders, and provide the necessary support or implement an action plan to mobilise
the full potential of smallholders to both contribute and benefit from sustainable palm oil production.
Even though collecting gender information might not be perfect at the initial stage, it is important for the
grower to start developing a system to collect this information from now on.
Guidance for implementation: This metric is recorded for the previous calendar year (January to
December).
● Mills provide the number of individual smallholders (scheme/independent/outgrowers) who are
included in their supply bases, whether certified or non-certified, disaggregated by gender.
● The definitions of smallholder and outgrower are consistent with the definition in the 2018 RSPO
P&C.
o Scheme smallholder: Farmers, landowners or their delegates that do not have the:
enforceable decision-making power on the operation of the land and production
practices; and/or freedom to choose how they utilise their lands, type of crops to plant,
and how they manage them (whether and how they organise, manage and finance the
land).
o Independent Smallholder: All smallholder farmers that are not considered to be Scheme
Smallholders are considered Independent Smallholder farmers.
o Outgrowers: Farmers, where the sale of FFB is exclusively contracted to the unit of
certification. Outgrowers may be smallholders.
● The number of individual and gender information is for the owner of the smallholdings or persons
who have signed contracts or agreements with the mill. These numbers do not include
smallholders that the mills deal indirectly through collection centres, agents or other
intermediaries.

d. Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)

Description: This metric measures the number of lost time injuries that occurred during the reporting
period. The LTIFR will be calculated based on per one million man hours worked. The formula is as follows:
(Number of injuries in the reporting period] x 1,000,000/(Total hours worked in the reporting period).
According to the International Labour Organization, an occupational injury is defined as any personal
injury, disease, or death resulting from an occupational accident. An occupational accident is an
unexpected and unplanned occurrence, including acts of violence, arising out of or in connection with
work that results in one or more workers incurring a personal injury, disease, or death.
A case of occupational injury is the case of one worker incurring an occupational injury as a result of one
occupational accident. An occupational injury could be fatal.
Rationale: The LTIFR provides many insights and benefits to the unit of certification, for example it
indicates if safety performance is appropriate or lacking. Indication of poor safety performance could
result in higher insurance premiums and best workers may start looking for employment elsewhere under

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the belief that their safety is at risk while at work. By monitoring the LTIFR, growers are able to minimise
risks associated with losing good workers, reputation, and reducing cost.
Guidance for implementation: The metrics are recorded for the previous calendar year (January to
December).
● The number of injuries refers to occupational injuries that have involved lost time from work.
● The total hours worked refer to total man hours worked during the reporting period.
● LTIFR is then automatically calculated from the data provided.

e. Complaints and Grievances

Description: This metric measures the number of active cases of the unit of certification at the end of the
reporting period.
Rationale: As per the 2018 P&C, the unit of certification is required to have an internal grievance
mechanism that helps monitor its grievance cases and keeps parties to a grievance informed of its
progress, including against an agreed time frame, and the outcome is available and communicated to
relevant stakeholders. Keeping a proper record of active and closed cases is therefore an important first
step. Grievance may be internal (employee) or external (including from smallholders). With this metric,
the company will be able to improve risk management by ensuring that the cases are monitored and dealt
with in an appropriate and timely manner.
Guidance for implementation: The number of complaint and grievance cases required in the template
refer to cases that are recorded in the internal grievance system of the unit of certification.
● The total number of historical active cases refers to cases which have not been resolved and are
carried forward from previous years to the reporting period.
● The total number of new cases for the previous calendar year (January to December) is recorded.
● The total number of cases that are closed within the previous calendar year (January to
December), whether they are the historical active cases or new cases, is recorded.
The total number of active cases by the end of the previous calendar year will be calculated by formula.

2.3 ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

a. Pesticide use
Description: This metric is recorded as:
● the number of times of prophylactic use of pesticide(s)
● the number of times of use of pesticides that are categorised as World Health Organization (WHO)
Class 1a and 1b, or listed by the Stockholm or Rotterdam conventions and paraquat, are used.
For more information on WHO Class 1a and 1b active pesticide ingredients, please visit WHO’s official
website.
Rationale: This metric provides growers with information to monitor the use of pesticides and evaluate
the effectiveness in pest control. Growers can use the information as a basis to consider more cost-
effective alternatives.
Guidance for implementation: The metric is recorded in the template for the previous calendar year
(January to December). Growers are required to provide justification for the usage of the above-
mentioned pesticides in the metric template based on the due diligence process or condition mentioned
under Indicator 7.2.5 of the 2018 RSPO P&C.

b. Freshwater usage by mill

Description: This metric measures the volume of freshwater used by the mill and is expressed as cubic
metres (m3) of freshwater used per tonne of total palm oil produced.

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Rationale: Growers can benefit from understanding existing and future water risks when developing
climate adaptation strategies for water management. This helps to reduce vulnerability to climate change
and be more adaptable in responding to changes in water demands.
Guidance for implementation: The volume of freshwater used by the mill refers to water use for the
production of CPO and is recorded in the template for the previous calendar year (January to December).
Water supplies for domestic consumption are not required in the template

c. Biodiversity
Description: The following metrics provide a background for understanding the areas of impact that are
located within the management area of the unit of certification:
● High conservation value (HCV) area in hectares
● High carbon stock (HCS) area in hectares
● HCV-HCS area in hectares
● Additional set aside river buffers that are not part of HCV areas in hectares
● Peatlands - existing peatlands that are planted3 in hectares
● Peatlands - unplanted and conserved in hectares
● Peatlands - unplanted and rehabilitated in hectares
Rationale: Monitoring areas of outstandingly significant or critically important biological, ecological, social,
or cultural values at the national, regional, or global level is important to ensure that ecosystems are
conserved, protected, and enhanced for the next generation.
The 2018 RSPO P&C include new requirements to ensure the effective contribution of RSPO in halting
deforestation. Determination of HCV and HCS areas will be conducted as described by the 2018 RSPO P&C
(7.12.2).
Guidance for implementation: The hectarage of HCV, HCS, HCV-HCS, additional river buffer, and
peatlands is recorded in the template as per the previous calendar year (January to December).
● The HCS area must be obtained from a valid integrated HCV-HCSA assessment or a valid
standalone HCSA assessment (refer to indicator 7.12.2 of the 2018 RSPO P&C).
● The hectarage of peatlands required in the metrics template is for certified estate(s) within the
unit of certification only, not for all estate(s) under the company. The total hectarage must be
tallied with the peat inventory filled in by the certified estate(s).
● Other conservation areas are not required in the template, except for additional river buffers that
are not part of the HCV areas.

3
This refers to planting on peat in existing development areas prior to 15 November 2018. After 15 November
2018, there is no new planting on peat regardless of depth (refer to Indicator 7.7.1 of the 2018 RSPO P&C).

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3.0 Metrics Data Flow

The following diagram illustrates the flow of metrics data:

1. The required metrics are recorded by the unit of certification using the RSPO P&C Metrics
Template, which can be downloaded from the RPSO website.
2. The filled RSPO P&C Metrics Template will be submitted by the unit of certification to the
Certification Body prior to an audit.
3. The filled RSPO P&C Metrics Template will be verified by an auditor for completion and plausibility
during the audit.
4. The verified template will be uploaded by the Certification Body onto the RSPO IT Platform.
5. The uploaded template will be checked by the RSPO Secretariat for completion before approval.
6. Once approved, an audit report, including the verified RSPO P&C Metrics Template, will be issued
by the Certification Body/auditor to the certificate holder.

Certification Body
1. 2. ¹ Judgement on 3.
performance levels

Auditor verifies: Auditor

Growers fill in • Complete
metrics template • Plausible

Verified Incomplete
information

4. Verified
5. 6. Certification
holders

Unverified filled metrics template

Audit verified filled metrics template

Diagram 1: Flow of metrics data

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4.0 Metrics Data Communication Overview

All metrics data collected will be aggregated to country level and anonymised for public reporting. The
table below provides an overview of how the data will be analysed and reported, and the frequency of
reporting.
DATA DATA DATA
METRICS DATA AGGREGATI COMMUNICATED COMMUNICATION FREQUENCY
ON LEVEL WITH WHOM METHOD

ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Production volume of Global Public RSPO website, Annual and/or Bi-
Certified Fresh Fruit Impact Report Annual – Impact
Bunch (FFB) Update and Impact
Report
Monthly – RSPO
website
Non-certified Fresh Fruit Global Internal Internal reporting Quarterly
Bunch (FFB) production
volume
Production volume of Country Public RSPO website, Annual and/or Bi-
Certified Sustainable Impact Report Annual – Impact
Global
Palm Oil (CSPO) and Update and Impact
Certified Sustainable Report
Palm Kernel (CSPK)
Monthly – RSPO
website
Sales volume of CSPO Global Public RSPO website, Annual and/or Bi-
and CSPK (RSPO Impact Report Annual – Impact
certified) Update and Impact
Report
Monthly – RSPO
website
Sales volume of CSPO Global RSPO Board of Internal reporting Quarterly
and CSPK (other Governors
schemes certified)
Sales volume of CSPO Global RSPO Board of Internal reporting Quarterly
and CSPK (conventional) Governors
Yield Global Internal Internal reporting Quarterly
Country

SOCIAL INDICATORS
Number of workers/ Country Public Impact Update and Annual and/or Bi-
smallholders receiving Impact Report Annual - Impact
training, by gender Update and Impact
Report

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 DATA DATA DATA
METRICS DATA AGGREGATI COMMUNICATED COMMUNICATION FREQUENCY
ON LEVEL WITH WHOM METHOD
Number of individual Global Public RSPO website, Annual and/or Bi
smallholders (scheme, Impact Report Annual – Impact
Country
independent, Update and Impact
outgrowers) supply to Report
mill, by gender
Monthly – RSPO
website
Number of workers, by Global Public Impact Update and Annual and/or Bi-
gender, local vs. non- Impact Report Annual - Impact
local, permanent vs. Update and Impact
contract Report
Percentage of young Country Public Impact Update and Annual and/or Bi-
workers out of total Impact Report Annual - Impact
workers Update and Impact
Report
Lost time injury Country Public Impact Update and Annual and/or Bi-
frequency rate Impact Report Annual - Impact
Update and Impact
Report
Complaint and Global Public Impact Update and Annual and/or Bi-
grievance cases (case Impact Report Annual - Impact
Country
opened and closed) Update and Impact
Report

ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS
Pesticide use Country Public Impact Update and Annual and/or Bi-
Impact Report Annual - Impact
Update and Impact
Report
Freshwater use by mill Country Public Impact Update and Annual and/or Bi-
Impact Report Annual - Impact
Update and Impact
Report
Biodiversity Country Public Impact Update and Annual and/or Bi-
Impact Report Annual - Impact
Update and Impact
Report

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