QL Resources Bhd

1. Sustainable palm oil policy or commitment for all its operations?

The company has published a sustainable palm oil policy which covers all palm oil operations.

2. Sustainable palm oil policy or commitment applies to all suppliers?

The company has published a sustainable palm oil policy which applies to all suppliers.

3. High-level position of responsibility for sustainability?

The company has a Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC) composed of the Heads of Business Units and Business Functions. However, the high-level position of responsibility for sustainability is unclear.

4. One or more members within the board of the company have responsibility for sustainability?

The Executive Chairman and Group Managing Director are members of the Board and form part of the Sustainability Steering Committee.

5. Reports gender balance of senior management team?

1.9% - The company reports that it has 1.9% of managers are women. It does not report a separate figure for senior management. The scope of the reporting within the sustainability report also only covers subsidiaries in Malaysia, but the company also operates palm oil plantations in Indonesia.

6. Reports gender balance of board members?

5 (38.5%) - The company reports that five (38.5%) of its board of directors are women.

7. Member of multiple industry schemes or other external initiatives to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with palm oil production?

8. Collaboration with stakeholders to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with palm oil production?

The company reports that it has collaborated with Wetlands International to implement a mangrove reforestation and rehabilitation program in Malaysia. However, the information is not specific to palm oil production.

9. Sustainability report published within last two years?

The company's sustainability report is integrated into its annual report for 2023.

10. Reports through standardised reporting systems?

The company's integrated report has been prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative Standards (GRI Standards). Further, it has also submitted a CDP forest questionnaire for 2022.

11. Verification report on compliance with POIG Charter, if a POIG member?

This indicator is disabled as the company is not a POIG member.

12. Climate risks assessment available?

13. Lists countries and operations?

Plantations and Mills - Malaysia (Sabah) and Indonesia (Northern Kalimantan).

14. Lists countries sourcing from?

15. Total land area managed/controlled for oil palm (ha)?

16000 - The company reports 16,000 ha of oil palm estate holdings. However, the total land area managed/controlled for oil palm is unclear.

16. Total oil palm planted area (ha)?

9000 - The company reports that it has 9,000 ha of cultivated area. However, it is unclear if it covers all oil palm planted areas.

17. Scheme smallholders planted area (ha)?

The company states that approximately 20% of land use rights have been set aside for the plasma scheme as per the Indonesian regulations, but no total area has been reported and figures cannot be calculated due to the difficulties defining its total area owned for oil palm cultivation.

18. Unplanted (areas designated for future planting) (ha)?

7000 - The company has a remaining area of 7,000 ha. However, it is unclear if it is intended for future planting.

19. Conservation set-aside area, including HCV area (ha)?

20. Maps of estates/management units?

21. Maps of all scheme smallholders?

22. Maps of all third-party supplying plantations?

23. Number of company-owned mills?

2 - The GFW reports that the company has two mills. However, it is unclear if it covers all operations.

24. Names and locations of company-owned mills?

The company publishes the names and locations of two mills on GFW. However it is unclear if this covers all company-owned mills.

25. Number (or percentage) of company-owned mills that source from company-owned operations and third parties?

26. Reports total volumes (or percentages) sourced by company-owned mills that come from company-owned operations and third-parties?

27. Number of third party supplying mills?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

28. Names and locations of all third-party supplying mills?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

29. Number (or percentage) of third party supplying mills that source from their own plantations and third party plantations?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

30. Reports total volume (or percentages) sourced from third-party supplying mills that come from the supplying mills' own operations and third parties?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

31. Total volume (or percentage) sourced for refineries that comes from intermediary traders and/or refiners rather than directly from mills?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not own refineries.

32. Time-bound commitment to achieve 100% traceability to mill level?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

33. Percentage of supply traceable to mill level?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

34. Time-bound commitment to achieve 100% traceability to plantation level?

35. Percentage of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) supply to own mills traceable to plantation level?

36. Percentage of supply from third-party mills traceable to plantation level?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from third-party supplying mills.

37. Publishes traceability data at refinery level?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not own refineries.

38. Publishes traceability data at crusher level?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not own palm kernel crushing facilities.

39. Member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)?

40. RSPO-certified within three years of joining the RSPO or by November 2010, for companies joining prior to finalisation of the RSPO certification systems in November 2007?

41. Submitted most recent RSPO Annual Communication of Progress (ACOP)?

42. Percentage of area (ha) RSPO-certified?

43. Percentage of mills RSPO-certified?

44. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% RSPO certification of estates and mills within 5 years?

45. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% RSPO certification of all palm product processing facilities within 5 years?

This indicator is disabled as the company is only a grower or miller.

46. Percentage of scheme smallholders (ha) RSPO-certified?

47. Time-bound plan for achieving 100% RSPO certification of scheme/associated smallholders and outgrowers within 5 years or target already achieved?

48. Percentage of FFB supply (tonnes) from independent smallholders/outgrowers/third-party FFB suppliers that is RSPO-certified?

49. Percentage of all palm oil and oil palm products handled/traded/processed (tonnes) that is RSPO-certified?

This indicator is disabled as the company is only a grower or miller.

50. Sells RSPO-certified palm oil through Segregated or Identity Preserved supply chains?

51. Processes/trades RSPO-certified palm oil through Segregated or Identity Preserved supply chains?

52. Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certified (100%)?

The company reports that its oil palm estate complies with the requirements of the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification. However, no ISPO certificate could be found.

53. Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certified?

[Externally verified] The company has published MSPO certificates for its subsidiary QL Plantations Sdn Bhd. However, it is unclear if the company's palm oil operations are 100% MSPO certified.

54. Certified under voluntary sustainability certification scheme (e.g. ISCC, SAS, RSB)?

55. Commitment to zero conversion of natural ecosystems?

56. Commitment to zero conversion of natural ecosystems applies to all suppliers?

57. Commitment to zero deforestation?

The company commits to not engage in the deforestation of HCV areas only, and it is not clear if the commitment was in place as of 1st Jan 2020.

58. Commitment to zero deforestation applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to not engage in the deforestation of HCV areas only, and it is not clear if the commitment was in place as of 1st Jan 2020.

59. Criteria and cut-off date for defining deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion?

The company reports that it does not engage in deforestation or land-clearing activities within HCV areas. However, it does not provide a specific cut-off date for defining deforestation.

60. Criteria and cut-off date for defining deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion in supplier operations?

The company reports that it does not engage in deforestation or land-clearing activities within HCV areas that apply to all suppliers. However, it does not provide a specific cut-off date for defining deforestation.

61. Evidence of monitoring deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion?

62. Evidence of monitoring deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion in supplier operations?

63. Amount of deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion recorded in own operations since cut-off date?

64. Amount of deforestation and/or ecosystem conversion recorded in supplier operations since cut-off date?

65. Commitment to restoration of deforestation/conversion in own operations since cut-off date?

66. Commitment to restoration of deforestation/conversion in supplier operations since cut-off date?

67. Implementing a landscape or jurisdictional level approach?

68. Biodiversity policy?

The company states a general commitment to biodiversity protection with no detail given on the scope.

69. Biodiversity policy applies to all suppliers?

The company states a general commitment to biodiversity protection with no detail given on the scope, this applies to all suppliers.

70. Identified species of conservation concern, referencing international or national system of species classification?

71. Examples of species and/or habitat conservation management?

The company reports implementing a mangrove reforestation and rehabilitation program in partnership with Wetlands International in Malaysia. However, the information is not externally verified.

72. Commitment to no hunting or only sustainable hunting of species?

73. Commitment to no hunting or only sustainable hunting of species applies to all suppliers?

74. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments?

The company commits to not clearing HCV areas, however, it does not commit to conducting HCV assessments.

75. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments applies to all suppliers?

The company commits suppliers to not clearing HCV areas, however, it does not commit to conducting HCV assessments.

76. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments for planting undertaken prior to January 2015, and associated management and monitoring plans?

77. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments for all estates planted/planned planting since January 2015?

78. High Conservation Value (HCV) or combined HCV/HCS management and monitoring plans for all estates planted/planned planting since January 2015?

79. Commitment to only use licensed High Conservation Value (HCV) assessors accredited by the HCV Resource Network's Assessor Licensing Scheme (ALS)?

80. Commitment to only use licensed High Conservation Value (HCV) assessors accredited by the HCV Resource Network's Assessor Licensing Scheme (ALS) applies to all suppliers?

81. Satisfactory review of all High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments undertaken since January 2015 by the HCV ALS Quality Panel?

82. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach?

83. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Approach applies to all suppliers?

84. High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments available?

85. Peer review of all High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments undertaken since April 2015 by the HCSA Quality Assurance Process?

86. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs)?

87. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs) applies to all suppliers?

88. Social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs) available, and associated management and monitoring plans?

89. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?

90. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth applies to all suppliers?

91. Landbank or planted area on peat (ha)?

92. Implementation of commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?

93. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat?

The company commits to not emit, discharge or deposit or spill any environmentally hazardous substances, pollutants, oil, effluents or wastes into any soil. It does not report a clear commitment to best management practices for soils and peat.

94. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to not emit, discharge or deposit or spill any environmentally hazardous substances, pollutants, oil, effluents or wastes into any soil. It does not report a clear commitment to best management practices for soils and peat.

95. Evidence of best management practices for soils and peat?

96. Commitment to zero burning?

97. Commitment to zero burning applies to all suppliers?

98. Evidence of fire monitoring and management?

99. Details/number of hotspots/fires in company estates?

100. Details/number of hotspots/fires within surrounding landscape/smallholders?

101. Time-bound commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity?

The company commits to reducing its GHG emissions intensity by 20% by the year 2026. However, it does not include scope 1 and scope 2 emissions.

102. GHG emissions intensity?

The company reports the GHG emissions intensity as 26.75 tCO2e/RM million revenue in 2023. However, the intensity figures are reported as intensity for sales.

103. GHG emissions from land use change in company's own operations (scope 1)?

104. GHG emissions from land use change in supplier operations (scope 3)?

105. Progress towards commitment to reduce GHG emissions intensity?

The company reports an increase in GHG emissions intensity from 24.25 tCO2e/RM mil revenue in 2022 to 26.75 tCO2e/RM mil million revenue in 2023. However, the figures reported as intensity for sales.

106. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?

107. Percentage of mills with methane capture (100%)?

The company reports that it operates a biogas plant that uses methane captured to generate power for on-site operations. However, the information does not cover all operations.

108. Time-bound commitment to improve water use intensity?

The company reports a commitment to reduce its water withdrawal intensity by 4.3% year-on-year. However the figures are measured as intensity of sales, it does not cover Indonesian operations, and the commitment relates to water withdrawal intensity, not water use intensity.

109. Water use intensity?

569.89 - The company reports a water use intensity of 569.89 m3/mil RM revenue in 2023. However, the figures reported as intensity of sales and does not include Indonesian operations.

110. Progress towards commitment on water use intensity?

The company reports a decrease in water use intensity from 595.49 m3/RM mil revenue in 2022 to 569.89 m3/RM mil revenue in 2023. The reported figures show an improvement from the previous year. However, the figures reported as intensity of sales and does not include Indonesian operations.

111. Time-bound commitment to improve water quality (BOD and COD)?

112. Progress towards commitment on water quality (BOD and COD)?

The company reports an average BOD concentration of 18 mg/L for its mills which is below the regulatory stipulation of 20 mg/L. However, it is unclear if it covers mills in Indonesia and the information is between two to five years old.

113. Treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME)?

The company reports that POME is closely monitored and reported with regular quality testing. Additionally, a total of 133,071 m3 POME was generated in FY2022. However, it does not specify the treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME).

114. Treatment of palm oil refinery effluent (PORE)?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not own refineries.

115. Commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?

116. Implementation of commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?

117. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers?

118. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers, applies to all suppliers?

119. Commitment to no use of paraquat?

120. Commitment to no use of paraquat applies to all suppliers?

121. Commitment to no use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides?

122. Commitment to no use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides applies to all suppliers?

123. Commitment to no use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention?

124. Commitment to no use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention applies to all suppliers?

125. Chemical usage per ha or list of chemicals used?

126. Implementation of commitment to minimise inorganic fertiliser use?

127. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?

128. Waste management system in place to avoid negative impacts?

The company reports a waste management system to reduce and recycle waste however, it does not cover Indonesian operations.

129. Commitment to human rights?

The company commits to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

130. Commitment to human rights applies to all suppliers?

The company commits suppliers to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

131. Progress on human rights commitment?

The company states that 60% of human resources professionals across various business units participated in training on human rights and forced labor. Employees also attended a briefing on the human rights and labor standards policy. It also completed human rights due diligence for its three business units.

132. Commitment to respect Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' rights?

133. Commitment to respect Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' rights applies to all suppliers?

134. Commitment to respect legal and customary land tenure rights?

135. Commitment to respect legal and customary land rights applies to all suppliers?

136. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)?

137. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) applies to all suppliers?

138. Details of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process available?

139. Examples of local stakeholder engagement to prevent conflicts?

140. Details of process for addressing land conflicts available?

141. Supports the inclusion of women across palm oil operations, including addressing barriers faced?

142. Commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?

143. Progress on commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?

144. Commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?

The company commits to supporting local communities through corporate philanthropy activities, financial assistance, and job opportunities. However, this does not cover Indonesian operations.

145. Progress on commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?

The company reports that it provides essential community services such as upgrading school facilities, supporting local fishermen, and addressing child nutrition.

146. Commitment to provide business/work opportunities for local communities?

The company reports that it creates employment opportunities within the local communities in which it operates. However, this does not cover Indonesian operations.

147. Commitment to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles?

The company commits to the ILO's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

148. Commitment to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to the ILO's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

149. Progress on commitment to respect all workers' rights?

The company states that 60% of human resources professionals across various business units participated in training on human rights and forced labor. Employees also attended a briefing on the human rights and labor standards policy.

150. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment?

The company commits to prevent occupation-related discrimination based on gender.

151. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to prevent occupation-related discrimination based on gender.

152. Progress on commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment?

The company actively tracks, reports, and monitors grievances related to workplace bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination.

153. Percentage or number of temporary employees?

2999 (33.5%) - The company reports the number of temporary employees as 2999 (33.5%) in 2023. However, the figures does not include Indonesian operations.

154. Reports gender balance of employees?

3500 (39.1%) - The company reports the percentage of women employees as 39.1% in 2023. However, the figures does not include Indonesian operations.

155. Commitment to pay a living wage?

The company commits to paying minimum wage. No commitment to pay living wage is reported.

156. Commitment to pay a living wage applies to all suppliers?

The company commits to paying minimum wage applies to all suppliers. No commitment to pay living wage is reported.

157. Progress on commitment to pay a living wage?

158. Reporting of salary by gender?

The company reports the ratio of pay per person by gender. However, it does not report the basic salary and remuneration of women to men for each employee category and information does not include Indonesian operations.

159. Commitment to address occupational health and safety?

The company commits to address health and safety at work for all workers.

160. Commitment to address occupational health and safety applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to address health and safety at work for all workers.

161. Provision of personal protective equipment and related training?

The company reports that it provides occupational safety and health training and PPE to all employees. However, the information is between two to five years old.

162. Time lost due to work-based injuries?

3.31 - The company reports a lost time injury frequency rate of 3.31 for 2023. However, the figures does not include Indonesian operations.

163. Number of fatalities as a result of work-based accidents?

1 - The company reports one fatality in 2023. However, the figure does not include Indonesian operations.

164. Commitment to support smallholders?

165. Programme to support scheme smallholders?

166. Percentage of scheme smallholders involved in programme?

167. Programme to support independent smallholders?

168. Percentage of independent smallholders/outgrowers involved in programme?

169. Process used to prioritise, assess and/or engage suppliers on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?

170. Number or percentage of suppliers assessed and/or engaged on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?

171. Suspension or exclusion criteria for suppliers?

172. Time-bound action plans (including Key Performance Indicators) for suppliers to be in compliance with palm oil sourcing commitments?

173. Proportion of supply from suppliers that is verified as deforestation- and/or conversion-free (DCF)?

174. Time-bound plan to engage with all high risk mills within 3 years?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from mills.

175. Programme to support high risk mills to become compliant with sourcing policies?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from mills.

176. Regularly engages with a subset of high risk mills?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from mills.

177. Procedures in place to assess all own and third party supplying palm oil mills for risk level?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from mills.

178. Regularly assesses and categorises the risk level of all their own and third party supplying mills?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from mills.

179. Regularly reports the risk level of all own and third party supplying mills identified in its supply chain?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not source from mills.

180. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

The company commits to ethical conduct and the prohibition of corruption.

181. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption applies to all suppliers?

The company commits all suppliers to ethical conduct and the prohibition of corruption.

182. Progress on commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

The company reports that it conducted training sessions for its employees on its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, Anti-Bribery Policy, and Whistleblower Policy. It also states that 100% of its operations were assessed for corruption-related risks.

183. Disclosure of the company's management approach to tax and payments to governments?

184. Whistleblowing procedure?

The company has whistleblowing procedures including a flowchart.

185. Own grievance or complaints system open to all stakeholders?

The company has workplace grievance and harassment handling procedures. However, it is only for employees and therefore not open to all stakeholders.

186. Details of complaints and grievances disclosed?