Labour Lens

RSPO certified palm oil

Palm oil from plantations audited against rules on forests and workers, kept apart from or tracked alongside uncertified oil.

How it counts towards a grade

  • Supportive: it counts in its favour but isn't proof on its own

What it is

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil certifies oil palm plantations and mills. Its rules cover deforestation and workers, including forced and child labour, pay and safety, checked by auditors. Certified oil reaches products through supply chains that keep it separate (Segregated, Identity Preserved) or track how much was bought (Mass Balance).

Official website (opens in a new tab)

What it checks

  • Plantation and mill audits, including rules on forced and child labour
  • Supply chains that keep certified oil apart or track it

What it doesn't

  • Audits are announced in advance, and forced labour has been found on certified plantations
  • RSPO credits (Book and Claim) don't put certified oil in the product, so they don't count

Brands with RSPO certified palm oil: 8 brands

NIVEANo living wage evidence · Beauty & personal careSkin, body and sun carePublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedEstée LauderChild labour link, last recorded in 2024 · Beauty & personal carePrestige skincare, make-up and fragrancePublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedDoveChild labour link, last recorded in 2016 · Beauty & personal careSoap, body wash, deodorant, hair carePublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedGarnierAbuse of workers link, last recorded in 2020 · Beauty & personal careHair care, hair colour and skincarePublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedL'Oréal ParisAbuse of workers link, last recorded in 2020 · Beauty & personal careMake-up, hair colour and skincarePublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedMaybelline New YorkAbuse of workers link, last recorded in 2020 · Beauty & personal careMass-market make-upPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedOlayForced labour link, last recorded in 2020 · Beauty & personal careAnti-ageing skincarePublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedColgateForced labour link, last recorded in 2020 · Beauty & personal careToothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwashPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verified