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Problem
Plantation companies and palm oil mills are no longer only required to improve productivity and operational efficiency. Market trends, access to trade, traceability, financing, and other factors now demand companies to implement accountable sustainability principles. Within this context, RSPO membership becomes a concrete solution, where members receive clear guidance in implementing sustainability principles, good corporate governance, and a certification system recognized by global stakeholders.
STA Resources, a group managing 15 plantation management units and more than 10 palm oil processing facilities across Sumatra and Kalimantan, decided to pursue RSPO membership. This step was taken to implement sustainability principles in a more measurable way, improve product competitiveness in global markets, and open access to broader financing opportunities.
However, challenges arose in the form of compliance requirements, obligations for compensation and remediation related to past land clearing, and commitments to certification linked to a time-bound plan.
STA Resources appointed Ecotrop to support them throughout the preparation process, registration, and until acceptance as an RSPO member. Ecotrop provided support in four key areas:
Gap analysis
Provision of environmental and social assessments and management plans
Technical assistance for RSPO registration
Development of certification strategies for management units under STA Resources in alignment with RSPO Principles and Criteria
Solution
1. Gap Analysis
The gap analysis not only identified missing components required to meet RSPO Principles and Criteria in sustainability aspects, but also highlighted broader consequences of past land clearing that did not comply with RSPO minimum requirements (HCV assessment before November 2018, or HCV-HCSA after November 2018).
Through this analysis, STA Resources was able to map required components for each management unit and develop action plans, ensuring a more effective RSPO registration and certification process.
The gap analysis was conducted across 15 plantation management units over 6 months, followed by discussions and brainstorming sessions to support strategic decision-making.
2. Provision of Assessments and Management Plans
RSPO requires several assessments to ensure the availability of baseline data and management plans for environmental and social protection.
Although some assessments can be conducted internally, independent expert involvement increases objectivity and credibility. Ecotrop designed an integrated assessment approach across 15 management units to improve efficiency in time and cost.
The assessments included:
Land Use Change Analysis
Social Liability Assessment
HCV Assessment
Social Impact Assessment
FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent) Verification
Land Tenure Study
The entire process (preparation, field surveys, reporting) for all units across Sumatra and Kalimantan was completed within 1 year.
3. Technical Assistance for RSPO Registration
Ecotrop supported STA Resources in ensuring all sustainability-related registration requirements were fulfilled.
This included:
Reviewing assessment results
Preparing clarifications and revisions requested by RSPO
Ensuring all documents met RSPO standards
The scope covered:
HCV Assessment Reports
Land Use Change Analysis
Social Liability Assessment
Disclosure of non-compliance in land clearing
The full preparation process until acceptance by RSPO was completed in 10 months.
4. Certification Strategy Development
After membership registration, the next step was certification planning aligned with time-bound commitments for each management unit.
A key challenge was addressing remediation and compensation obligations from past land clearing that did not meet RSPO standards (even before membership), which are critical certification requirements.
Ecotrop supported STA Resources in:
Identifying and mapping remediation and compensation obligations
Facilitating discussions and brainstorming sessions
Developing feasible and aligned certification strategies for each unit
Result
1. Acceptance as RSPO Member
Ecotrop ensured all sustainability-related requirements were met.
STA Resources was officially accepted as an RSPO member on December 8, 2025.
2. Certification Roadmap
With Ecotrop’s support, STA Resources developed certification plans for each management unit.
2 management units are planned for certification assessment within 2 years
Certification planning for the remaining 13 units is ongoing
These plans consider:
Plantation and mill governance
Remediation and compensation strategies
Risk mitigation for non-compliance with time-bound plans
