MSPO
Certification
MS 2530:2022. Certification against the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil standard, the national scheme for oil palm plantations, smallholdings and processing facilities.
About MS 2530:2022
MS 2530:2022 replaced MS 2530:2013. It was written with a very different industry baseline: in 2013 only large industry players certified their oil palm management, and the 2013 standard laid the foundation for a far wider understanding of sustainable practice.
The 2022 standard keeps the four primary elements of its predecessor and is divided into eight parts, so that implementers of every size and capability meet requirements suited to them.
The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme is the national scheme under which oil palm plantations, independent and organised smallholdings and palm oil processing facilities are certified against the MSPO standards.
MSPO covers every stage of palm oil production, from the field to the final product. It sets general principles and specific criteria for everyone involved, from the independent family farmers who tend the trees, to the organisations that support smallholders, to the mills that process the oil.
Who It Applies To
Independent Smallholders
Part 2-1
Under 40.46 ha, managed by the farmer
See the requirementsOrganised Smallholders
Part 2-2
FELDA, RISDA, FELCRA, SALCRA, SLDB and similar schemes
See the requirementsPlantations
Parts 3-1 and 3-2
40.46 ha to 500 ha, and above 500 ha
See the requirementsMills, Processors and Dealers
Parts 4-1 to 4-3
Supply chain requirements for mills, processing facilities and traders
See the requirements
The Eight Parts of MS 2530:2022
Each part sets requirements for a different kind of MSPO implementer. Part 1 is the framework the others build on.
| Part | Standard | Applies to | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | MS 2530-1:2022 | General principles, terms and definitions. The framework for the other parts; it holds no requirements used to assess conformity. Framework | n/a |
| Part 2-1 | MS 2530-2-1:2022 | Independent smallholders: individual farmers who own or lease an oil palm smallholding and manage it themselves. Accredited, OPMC | Under 40.46 ha (100 acres) |
| Part 2-2 | MS 2530-2-2:2022 | Organised smallholders whose holdings are managed by agencies such as FELDA, RISDA, FELCRA, SALCRA, SLDB and similar organisations. Accredited, OPMC | Under 40.46 ha |
| Part 3-1 | MS 2530-3-1:2022 | Oil palm plantations and small estates between 40.46 and 500 hectares. Accredited, OPMC | 40.46 ha to 500 ha |
| Part 3-2 | MS 2530-3-2:2022 | Large oil palm estates and plantations of more than 500 hectares. Accredited, OPMC | Above 500 ha |
| Part 4-1 | MS 2530-4-1:2022 | Palm oil mills, covering sustainable management and supply chain requirements. Supply chain, not on current schedule | n/a |
| Part 4-2 | MS 2530-4-2:2022 | Palm oil processing facilities such as crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK) processors, including supply chain requirements. Supply chain, not on current schedule | n/a |
| Part 4-3 | MS 2530-4-3:2022 | Fresh fruit bunch (FFB) dealers and palm oil traders under MPOB licensing, including exporters and importers who buy and sell oil palm products without changing their chemical properties. Supply chain, not on current schedule | n/a |
Our accreditation from Standards Malaysia covers MSPO Oil Palm Management Certification (OPMC), Parts 2-1 to 3-2. Supply chain certification under Parts 4-1 to 4-3 is not on our current accreditation schedule; if you run a mill, processing facility or trading business, talk to us about your requirements. Reports under the replaced MS 2530:2013 remain available in the Public Summary Reports library.
Before Stage 1
An organisation is ready for its main audit once it has:
- 1Prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- 2Train the people who follow them
- 3Carry out an internal audit
- 4Hold a management review of the internal audit findings
The MSPO certificate is valid for five years from the date certification is approved, with a surveillance audit at least once every calendar year.
Process and Timelines
From Application
to Certificate
The MSPO certificate is valid for five years, with a surveillance audit at least once every calendar year.
- Stage 1Documented requirements checked on site
- Stage 2Full implementation verified
- Peer ReviewIndependent check of the MSPO report
- DecisionCertification panel decides
- CertificateValid 5 years MSPO, 3 years ISO
- SurveillanceAt least once a year
- RecertificationFull reassessment each cycle
Questions
Got Questions?
We Have Answers
How long does MSPO certification take?
It depends mostly on how ready your operation is. Stage 2 takes place within six months of Stage 1. If a major nonconformity is raised, you have up to three months to correct it.
After Stage 2, the draft report is prepared within one month, peer reviewers respond within seven days, and you can comment on the draft within two weeks. The certification committee then decides on the award, normally within a month of the final report.
What do we need in place before Stage 1?
Prepare your standard operating procedures, train the people who follow them, carry out an internal audit, and hold a management review of the internal audit findings. You will also complete our Client Application Form so we can confirm your scope.
How is the audit fee calculated?
Fees follow the audit time your scope needs. Under our Application, Quotation and Agreement procedure (UGG-SOP(MSPO)-05) we set it from the standard or MSPO part, the complexity of your operation, the size, number and location of your sites, and the risks involved.
Tell us about your organisation through the quotation form and we will prepare a written quotation.
How do I verify an MSPO certificate?
Every MSPO certificate is listed on the e-MSPO public dashboard run by MPOCC. Open the dashboard, choose Certificate in the left menu, filter by audit scope and state, and set the certification body to United Global Green Sdn Bhd. The public summary report is available from the certificate entry.
Get in Touch
Ready to Start?
Tell Us About Your Estate
Share your MSPO part, planted area and number of sites, and we will prepare a quotation.
