Personal care ingredient maker Stephenson has reiterated its support for Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)-certified palm oil and palm oil derivatives during all its manufacturing processes.
The UK company said it recognises that there are often valid sustainability and environmental issues linked to the use of conventional palm oil and palm oil-derived ingredients in the manufacture of these products.
“When grown sustainably, palm oil can be a force for good, protecting the environment, communities, employees, and wildlife,” added managing director Rob Carr.
“This is why the Stephenson team is so committed to enabling the positive impact of sustainable palm oil through our Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification.”
RSPO certification is a set of environmental and social criteria that guarantees the sustainable cultivation of palm oil during the entire supply chain.
“Rather than prohibit palm oil use, Stephenson has taken the position to only source and use palm oil that is grown and managed sustainably and certified by RSPO,” added Carr.
“Palm oil is a highly productive crop versus other vegetable oils, which often uses more land and natural resources which could lead to further negative environmental impacts.”
Stephenson is committed to only sourcing ingredients from suppliers who are aligned with its key sourcing principles, and the strict criteria set out by the RSPO regarding the cultivation, harvest, and supply of palm oil to the manufacturing industry.
These include no deforestation, protecting high conservation values and carbon stock areas, no planting of new crops on or the development of peatland, prohibits the exploitation of people and local communities, smallholder inclusion, and promotes the fair treatment of smallholders in the supply chain.
Since joining RSPO in 2010, Stephenson has further increased its commitment to the responsible sourcing of palm and palm kernel oil as a member of the Palm Oil Innovation Group (POIG) in conjunction with high-profile brands such as L’Oreal.
POIG also shows its support for NGOs including WWF, Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network, and Orangutan Land Trust.
“We expect our partners and supply chains to remain compliant with all applicable legislation while adhering to voluntary sustainability standards that support responsible practices to protect the natural world and the communities that we source our raw materials from,” said Carr.
“After all, we only have one earth, and we must protect it.”
