1 What’s our position – the top line?
We support the use of palm oil as an ingredient in a wide variety of food and non-food products. To make sure that using it does not lead to
negative consequences (both environmental and ethical) the palm oil and palm oil derivatives used in all Asda / George brand products
(both food and non-food products) must, by 31 December 2015, be responsibly sourced according to the criteria below. This is part of a
Walmart global commitment.
2 What’s the background for this policy?
Palm oil is a high-yield, low-cost ingredient for many food and non-food products. However, environmental groups have linked its
popularity and increased growth to the loss of native habitats, woodlands and the negative effect on people living in the areas it is
sourced from.
This is continuously monitored by activist groups and by the UK Government.
To make sure that palm oil and derivatives used in Asda / George brand products do not contribute to these negative effects, they
must be sourced from responsible and sustainable plantations by December 31 , 2015.
3 Who needs to know?
Suppliers of all Asda / George Brand, exclusive tertiary brand and direct import products who use palm oil, palm kernel oil and any derivative.
Palm oil is a very widely used product so it is essential that you check your ingredients for its use.
4 What commitment will we expect from you?
If you are a supplier of such products to Asda / George then you must ensure that all palm oil and palm oil derivatives (including palm kernel
oil):
Come from plantations operating fully in line with local laws and regulations;
Do not come from forest areas which have a high conservation value;
Do not come from development on forests with a high carbon stock;
Do not come from development on peat lands; and
Support free, prior and informed consent of indigenous and local communities
We expect that all of the palm oil that you source will be covered by one of the following schemes:
GreenPalm certificates
Mass Balance
Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO)
Segregated CSPO, as appropriate.
This must be demonstrated for all ASDA / George brand products by 31 December 2015 at the latest. We expect you to be working up the
chain towards segregated palm oil.
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5 How and when will you measure how I am performing in keeping to the
requirement?
Every year we survey all suppliers to check on their progress compared with the previous year and we expect to see steps taken towards
segregated CSPO. All suppliers must be using responsible and sustainably sourced palm oil by 31 December 2015.
6 Suggested guidance on legal details for best practice – further reading
For further information on sustainable palm oil and certified sources, please visit the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
website www.rspo.org