Enviro News Asia, Shanghai — The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) successfully held its first China Members’ Day in Shanghai on 21 April 2026, marking a key milestone in advancing sustainable palm oil practices in one of the world’s largest consumption markets.
The event, co-hosted by China Quality Certification Centre (CQC) and the RSPO Secretariat, gathered more than 120 stakeholders across the palm oil value chain, including processors, traders, manufacturers, retailers, financial institutions, and investors. The forum aimed to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the transition toward a more transparent and sustainable supply chain.
In his opening remarks, CQC Assistant General Manager Wang Huanxi emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting industrial transformation through innovation and high-quality certification services. He highlighted the importance of aligning with national priorities while deepening cooperation with both domestic and international partners to promote sustainable development in the palm oil sector.
RSPO China Head Lifeng Fang presented the organization’s progress in the country, noting that by the end of 2025, RSPO membership in China had reached 529 members, with 474 certified supply chain sites. China’s uptake of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) reached nearly 550,000 tonnes in 2024—equivalent to 11.7 percent of national consumption—positioning the country as a key global market for sustainable palm oil.
The event also featured technical briefings on the draft RSPO Supply Chain Certification Standard (SCCS), led by RSPO representatives, alongside targeted consultations to gather feedback from Chinese stakeholders. Training sessions on RSPO’s digital tools, including its prisma platform and Annual Communication of Progress (ACOP), were conducted to enhance transparency and reporting practices.
Interactive workshops allowed participants to discuss practical challenges and opportunities in supply chain certification and sustainable palm oil trade. These sessions encouraged knowledge exchange and highlighted strategies to expand market adoption of sustainable palm oil across China.
The inaugural Members’ Day underscores RSPO’s growing footprint in China and reflects increasing momentum among industry players to adopt responsible sourcing practices. The event is expected to further strengthen capacity, foster partnerships, and support the development of a more sustainable and accountable palm oil market. (*)
