Sustainability - more

Sipef is an active member of the RSPO, participating in the National Interpretations Working Group for Papua New Guinea, the Trade and Traceability Working Group, and the Biodiversity Technical Committee. It is our belief that the RSPO is the best way forward for the oil palm industry.

In 2010, all our mature oil palm operations in Indonesia have been audited against the RSPO Principles and Criteria. Our North Sumatra operations have been certified in May 2010. Our Bengkulu operations have been audited late in the year, and recommended for certification. The certification of our Papua New Guinea (PNG) operations has been confirmed following a successful verification audit. By early 2011, once our Bengkulu operations are officially certified, all the mature oil palm operations of Sipef will be RSPO-certified. Sipef has been the first company to comply with the RSPO New Planting Procedure, for the new developments of Hargy Oil Palms Ltd (HOPL) in PNG.

Our rubber, tea and bananas operations also implement strict social and environmental practices, to a large extent comparable with the standards we use in oil palm operations. Therefore the reporting on sustainability practices relates to all activities and all companies part of the consolidation scope of the Sipef group.

Sipef is also a member of KAURI asbl., the Belgian multi-actor learning network on corporate responsibility and NGO Accountability. In June 2010, under the KAURI umbrella, a stakeholder consultation was organized with the Sipef management, highlighting the various aspects of sustainable entrepreneurship, including recommendations on an improved sustainability policy and reporting.