Why care about new policies at voluntary standards? Voluntary standards have become de facto international trade policies that are increasingly affecting market access. The accession of palm oil's giant companies and its heavily concentrated processor-trader segment are driving market change. Is your company at the forefront of adoption and involved in this policy making? Are you a close follower? Will lagging take-up affect who you can sell to or buy from in the future? Buyers - do you need to switch or lock in suppliers? Growers - do you worry if you may face price discounting issues in the future? The "complexification" of sustainability is widely expected to prop up any premiums and market powers. Keep an eye on this!

30 August 2015: Indonesia Coordinating Economic Minister worries voluntary corporate pledges jeapordise small farmer prospects

Govt opposes zero-deforestation pledge by palm oil firms Hans Nicholas Jong, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Headlines | Sat, August 29 2015, 6:21 PM; In stark contrast to Indonesia’s commitment to reduce rampant deforestation, the government has surprisingly become a vocal opponent of a “zero deforestation” pledge signed by the four biggest palm oil companies in Indonesia.The Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister said on Friday that the pledge would jeopardize the country’s palm oil industry, currently the biggest in the world, as it puts restrictions on small farmers.“Oil palm plantations are the livelihoods of many of our people. The most effective driver of economic growth is through oil palm plantations,” the office's deputy for food and agriculture coordination Musdhalifah Machmud said on Friday......   http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/08/29/govt-opposes-zero-deforestation-pledge-palm-oil-firms.html#sthash.BdBqwUSO.dpuf

19 August 2015: Public consultations on RSPO Next and RSPO New Planting Procedure

Editor's note: Thanks to reader TG for alerting on two new public consultations at the RSPO. There is the voluntary add-on addendum -  seen by experts as a necessary catch up with the "no peat, no deforestation, no exploitation" shift seen since December 2013 led by Wilmar and other plantation giants. It's also expected by key global buyers, who tell us that the (current) "RSPO is not good enough."  RSPO NPP is its de facto HCS policy. Look forward to reader feedback on these.

Announcement: Public Consultation on RSPO NEXT - by 6 October 2015
Public Consultation on RSPO NEXT, a voluntary add on program to the RSPO P&C Certification.
RSPO NEXT was developed by a Working Group of a cross section of Board of Governors members comprised of Growers, Processors & Traders, Retailers, Social and Environmental NGO’s.  The group developed guidance on the themes of No Deforestation, No Fire, No Planting on Peat, Reduction of GHGs, Respect for Human Rights and Transparency. http://rspo.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bc792a0de8352889b1a15eb0d&id=476c13563b&e=4683bf52c5

ANNOUNCEMENT: UPDATE FOR NEW PLANTING PROCEDURE (NPP) PUBLIC CONSULTATION (3RD AUGUST - 2ND OCTOBER 2015) http://www.rspo.org/news-and-events/announcements/update-for-new-planting-procedure-npp-public-consultation-3rd-august-2nd-october-2015

Also relevant: HCS+ Science Study proposes strong carbon threshold? Update 2b - On the peat / organic soil question
/khorreports-palmoil/2015/07/hcs-science-study-proposes-strong.html