KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) has officially acknowledged the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification as a credible sustainability standard with a high-standard digital traceability system that can facilitate operators' compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Malaysian government-owned MSPO said Wednesday.
MSPO said in a statement that this acknowledgement reinforces its role as Malaysia's national framework for sustainable palm oil and highlights its contribution to global trade and responsible sourcing.
Audited by independent third-party certification bodies, MSPO is a mandatory standard that spans the entire palm oil value chain, from smallholders and growers to mills, dealers, and processors.
It ensures legality, transparency, inclusivity, and accountability at every stage, aligning production with international market requirements and guaranteeing integrity and credibility.
Anchored by a strict cut-off date of Dec. 31, 2019, prohibiting deforestation for certification, MSPO gives buyers and regulators confidence that certified palm oil is legally sourced and deforestation-free.
With its digital traceability system, MSPO enables full supply chain visibility and strengthens trust among global stakeholders.
"MSPO provides assurance on legality, cut-off date compliance, and digital traceability, while ensuring that more than half a million smallholders are fully part of the sustainability agenda. It demonstrates that Malaysia can meet global market expectations without leaving anyone behind," said Johari Abdul Ghani, Malaysia's minister of plantation and commodities. ■
