15 Years of RSPO Leadership: Why Legacy Matters in Sourcing
This year marks a defining milestone in our company’s history. Since 2010, Daabon has not only maintained its status as a producer of RSPO certified sustainable palm oil but has consistently pioneered ethical standards in a complex global industry.
While the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) launched its certification system in 2007, we quickly aligned our operations to meet—and often exceed—these rigorous benchmarks.
For today’s procurement leaders, trust is the most valuable currency. “Accountability from Soil to Shelf” is more than a slogan; it is a guarantee of supply chain integrity. Modern buyers demand more than basic compliance—they need a partner who offers total transparency.
Daabon is one of the few producers globally to offer RSPO Identity Preserved (IP) certification at scale, ensuring that every drop of oil can be traced back to the specific land where it was grown.
Our 15-year partnership with the RSPO proves that sustainable palm oil is not a static label, but an evolving standard of excellence. From becoming the first grower worldwide to achieve RSPO NEXT certification to our current regenerative practices, we ensure that when you choose Daabon, you choose a legacy of responsibility.
Read more about our journey in The Truth About Palm Oil.
What Is Identity Preserved (IP) Palm Oil? (2010–2015)
Daabon’s journey toward setting industry benchmarks began in earnest in 2010. While many producers were just beginning to explore sustainability, our plantations—spanning nearly 9,950 hectares—achieved full certification under the rigorous RSPO Principles and Criteria.
Since that moment, we have exclusively prioritized the RSPO Identity Preserved (IP) supply chain model.
The Gold Standard: IP vs. Mass Balance
For procurement leaders, the difference between supply chain models is the difference between “verified” and “mixed.”
- Identity Preserved (IP): The oil is sourced from a single certified sustainable plantation and is never mixed with non-certified oils. This offers the highest level of traceability available.
- Mass Balance (MB): Certified and non-certified oils may be mixed during shipping, meaning you cannot guarantee the specific origin of the physical oil in your product.
Empowering the “Soil”: The Smallholder Commitment
True sustainability extends beyond corporate boundaries. From the beginning, Daabon recognized that a responsible supply chain must be inclusive. We worked extensively to integrate 122 smallholder farms that supply our mill into our certification scope.
Ensuring compliance was a challenge, but it positioned Daabon as the first group globally to achieve advanced certifications alongside our small farmers. This proves that high standards can—and should—lift the entire community.
Learn more about our community impact in our guide to Sustainable Palm Oil in Colombia.
Setting a Global Precedent: The RSPO NEXT Legacy (2016–2018)
In the journey toward sustainability, compliance is the floor, but leadership is the ceiling. In April 2017, Daabon Group became the first company in the world to achieve certification under RSPO NEXT.
This was not a mandatory requirement but a voluntary add-on designed for growers willing to exceed the established baselines of the time.
What Did RSPO NEXT Verify?
This certification represented a rigorous commitment to environmental and social integrity. It verified that Daabon’s operations adhered to strict criteria that are now industry benchmarks:
- No Deforestation: Zero clearing of primary or secondary forests.
- No Fire: Complete ban on using fire for land clearing.
- No Planting on Peat: Absolute protection of carbon-rich peatlands.
- GHG Reduction: Documented reduction of greenhouse gases.
From “Premium” to “Standard”: Shaping the 2018 P&C
The legacy of RSPO NEXT lies in its evolution. The scheme was eventually retired for the best possible reason: its high-bar standards were successfully incorporated into the revised RSPO 2018 Principles & Criteria (P&C).
The “premium” sustainability criteria that Daabon pioneered voluntarily effectively became the new mandatory baseline for responsible growers worldwide.
Key Takeaway: By partnering with Daabon, you align with a grower that future-proofs the industry. The standards we championed years ago are the “new normal” today, ensuring your supply chain remains ahead of regulatory curves like the EUDR.
Read more about our commitment to a Deforestation-Free Supply Chain.
The Future: Global Demand & Digital Traceability (2019–Present)
Meeting the Global Appetite for IP Oil
The appetite for ethical sourcing is no longer a niche preference; it is a global requirement. In 2023, the global supply of RSPO certified sustainable palm oil reached a record 16.1 million tonnes, accounting for over 20% of the world’s total production.
While Europe and North America continue to drive demand, emerging markets are rapidly catching up. Daabon is at the forefront of this shift.
- Global Milestone: In November 2024, we successfully delivered the first 750-tonne batch of RSPO Certified Identity Preserved (IP) palm oil to the Port of Shanghai.
This achievement signals robust logistics and a market ready for verified sustainability. It proves that Daabon can deliver high-integrity Identity Preserved (IP) oil—the hardest grade to source at scale—to major global ports reliably.
PRISMA: The Next Era of Digital Compliance
As supply chains become more complex, the tools we use to verify them must evolve. The industry is transitioning toward PRISMA (Palm Resource Information and Sustainability Management), an innovative digital platform designed to revolutionize trade practices.
PRISMA serves as a single digital convergence point for stakeholders, standardizing audit reports and enabling better data analytics.
For Daabon clients, this digital evolution means audit-ready data reliability. It ensures that the transparency of the last 15 years is backed by the digital architecture of the future, simplifying compliance with regulations like the EUDR.
Conclusion: Partner with a 15-Year Veteran
Daabon’s 15-year journey is a testament to the power of proactive leadership. From achieving our initial certification in 2010 to pioneering the rigorous RSPO NEXT standards, we have consistently stayed ahead of the curve.
For you, this “Accountability from Soil to Shelf” translates into tangible business security:
- Brand Safety: Sourcing Identity Preserved (IP) oil eliminates contamination risks.
- Regulatory Ease: Our data-rich supply chain simplifies EUDR compliance.
- Consumer Trust: Verification from a 100-year-old family-owned grower.
Secure your sustainable future today.
Contact Daabon USA to request a specification sheet for RSPO Identity Preserved palm oil.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the difference between RSPO IP and Mass Balance?
A: RSPO Identity Preserved (IP) guarantees oil comes from a single certified plantation and is never mixed. Mass Balance allows mixing of certified and non-certified oils during transport, meaning you cannot trace the physical oil back to a specific farm.
Q: What is PRISMA in the palm oil industry?
A: PRISMA (Palm Resource Information and Sustainability Management) is the RSPO’s new digital platform that standardizes audits and traceability data to improve supply chain compliance and transparency.
Q: Is Daabon palm oil EUDR compliant?
A: Yes. Daabon’s Identity Preserved (IP) model and certifications (formerly RSPO NEXT standards regarding deforestation) provide the full traceability and geolocation data required for EUDR compliance.