Socfin Group

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

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

3. High-level position of responsibility for sustainability?

The company has a sustainability manager at group level.

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

The company's CEO is responsible for sustainability.

5. Percentage or number of women in senior management team?

6. Percentage or number of women board members?

0 - The company does not directly report the gender of board members, however, all six members are addressed with male titles.

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

[Externally verified] Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA).

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

The company has partnered with the Earthworm Foundation to aid the implementation of its responsible management policy and collaborates with WWF Cameroun to hold meetings in local communities about RSPO certification.

9. Sustainability report published within last two years?

The latest sustainability report was published in 2019.

10. Reports through standardised reporting systems?

The company reports using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) index, but does not publish its sustainability report on the GRI database.

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

115782 - In 2019 the total area managed for oil palm was 115,781.89 ha.

14. Total oil palm planted area (ha)?

129668 - In 2019 a total of 129,668 ha was planted with oil palm across the company's operations.

15. Plasma/scheme smallholders planted area (ha)?

2621 - In 2019 the planted area of plasma/scheme smallholders was 2,621 ha.

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

1445.7 - In 2019 1,445.7 ha designated for future planting remained unplanted.

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

10498.9 - In 2019 an area of 10,498.89 ha was set-aside for conservation.

18. Maps of estates/management units?

KML files are available for all of the company's oil palm operations.

19. Maps of scheme/plasma smallholders?

20. Names and locations of all third-party supplying plantations?

21. Number of company-owned mills?

22

22. Names and locations of company-owned mills?

Names and locations are available for all of the company's 22 mills.

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

12 of the 22 mills (55%) only source from company-owned operations.

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

92.7% of all FFB sourced by company-owned mills comes from company-owned operations.

25. Number of third party supplying mills?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29. 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 sources only directly from mills.

30. 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.

31. Percentage of supply traceable to mill level?

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

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

The company has already achieved 100% traceability to plantation level.

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

100% of supply is traceable to plantation level. An additional point has been added due to the company's RSPO Identity Preserved certifications for eight of its mills.

34. 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.

35. Publishes traceability data at refinery level?

The company has one refinery in production which sourced 100% of its CPO from company-owned operations in 2019. This information has not been externally verified.

36. Publishes traceability data at crusher level?

The company publishes traceability data for three of its four KCPs (SAFACAM, SOGB and Okomu Oil Palm PLC). It is unclear if traceability data refers to mill or plantation level.

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

[Externally verified] 2020

38. 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?

2011

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

The company submitted its 2019 ACOP.

40. Listed all countries and regions in which operates in most recent RSPO Annual Communication of Progress (ACOP)?

Indonesia (Aceh), Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Sao Tome & Principe, Sierra Leone.

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

26.97% - In 2019 26.97% of the company's area was certified. This percentage excludes scheme smallholders.

42. Percentage of mills RSPO-certified?

45% - 10 of the company's 22 mills are certified (45%).

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

2024

44. Year expected to achieve 100% RSPO certification of all palm product processing facilities?

2024

45. Percentage of scheme/plasma smallholders (ha) RSPO-certified?

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

2027 - The company has a commitment but it is set to be achieved within five years.

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

0% - None of the FFB supply (tonnes) from independent smallholders/outgrowers/third-party FFB suppliers is RSPO-certified.

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

49. Sells or processes/trades RSPO-certified palm oil through Segregated or Identity Preserved supply chains?

Identity Preserved.

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

[Externally verified] Seven out of nine mills have current ISPO certifications. Two mills' certifications expired in early 2020 and were extended for three months each by the government, however, these certifications expired on 8th August 2020 and no new extensions are publicly available.

51. Malaysia Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certified?

This indicator is disabled as the company does not operate in Malaysia.

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

[Externally verified] ISCC, ISO 14001.

53. Commitment to zero deforestation or zero conversion of natural ecosystems?

54. Commitment to zero deforestation or zero conversion of natural ecosystems applies to all suppliers?

55. Criteria for defining deforestation?

The company uses HCV and HCS definitions.

56. Evidence of monitoring deforestation?

The company only states that it monitors and prevents all illegal logging however no details about how monitoring is conducted are provided (e.g. extent of area, timeframe).

57. Evidence of monitoring deforestation in supplier operations?

The company only states that it monitors the implementation of its responsible sourcing policy, however no details about how monitoring is conducted are provided (e.g. extent of area, timeframe).

58. Amount of illegal/non-compliant deforestation recorded in own operations?

59. Amount of illegal/non-compliant deforestation recorded in supplier operations?

60. Commitment to restoration of non-compliant deforestation/conversion?

61. Commitment to restoration of non-compliant deforestation/conversion applies to all suppliers?

62. Implementing a landscape or jurisdictional level approach?

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company also has created a stakeholder round table for the implementation of an Integrated Conservation Land Use Plan made up of local companies and authorities.

63. Commitment to biodiversity conservation?

64. Commitment to biodiversity conservation applies to all suppliers?

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

Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company has identified species of concern using the IUCN system in its HCV reports.

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

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company has reforestation programs and are restoring riaprian zones.

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

The company commits to no hunting of "certain forest species, according to their local conservation status and in light of the IUCN red list".

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

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

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower. The company also makes this commitment independently.

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

The company's own commitment extends to suppliers.

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

72. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments for all estates planted since January 2015?

[Externally verified] HCV assessments are available for PT Socfindo (2016), Okomu Extension 1 (2016), Okomu Extension 2 (2016) and PSG (2017), but it is not clear whether they cover all new plantings.

73. High Conservation Value (HCV) management and monitoring plans for all estates planted since January 2015?

[Externally verified] Management and monitoring recommendations are included in all HCV reports, however, it is unclear if reports cover all new plantings since 2015.

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

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower.

75. 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?

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

[Externally verified] The company has four satisfactory HCV assessments under the company Socfin and its subsidiary Okomu.

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

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower. The company also makes this commitment independently.

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

79. High Carbon Stock (HCS) assessments available?

[Externally verified] Carbon stock assessments for Okomu and PSG are available on the company's dashboard.

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

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower. The company also makes this commitment independently.

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

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

[Externally verified] SEIAs are available for multiple subsidiaries: PSG, Okomu, SAC, SoGB and PT Socfin Indonesia.

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

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower. The company also makes this commitment independently.

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

The company's own commitment applies to all suppliers.

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

1977 - The company's Indonesian subsidiary reports owning 1,977 hectares of oil palm planted on peat, however, it is unclear whether this makes up all of the peatland across all of the company's operations.

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

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

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

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

Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank.

90. Commitment to zero burning?

91. Commitment to zero burning applies to all suppliers?

92. Evidence of fire monitoring and management?

The company provides examples of guard patrols and using watch towers to monitor fires. Also, regular fire drills and annual training are held to maintain good standard of procedures and equipment checking. Local communities are educated on the dangers of using fire for land clearing and waste disposal. This information is not externally verified.

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

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

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

The company has a commitment to reduce GHG emissions but it is neither intensity-based or time-bound.

96. GHG emissions intensity?

The company reports GHG emissions intensity (T CO2e/T CPO) for each of its subsidiaries separately.

97. GHG emissions from land use change?

98. Progress towards commitment to reduce GHG emissions intensity?

The company has no commitment to work towards and for six out of nine subsidiaries emissions intensity increased in 2019 from 2018 levels.

99. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?

The company uses the RSPO PalmGHG calculator.

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

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

The company set a target for water consumption water use to be below 2 m3/T FFB. This target has not been reported since 2017, therefore only partial points can be awarded.

102. Water use intensity?

1.25 - The company reports water use intensity across palm oil operations to be 1.25 m3/T FFB in 2019.

103. Progress towards commitment on water use intensity?

The company reports water use intensity figures but not against a target that has been published in the last two years.

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

The company commits to keep BOD and COD levels within legal limits.

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

The company states that it is within legal limits but does not publish figures. The most recent published data was reported in 2015 and was not externally verified.

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

Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company also states that all palm oil mills are equipped with treatment facilities so all water is treated before discharge.

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

108. Commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?

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

Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank.

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

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

The company's commitment to reduce pesticide usage applies to suppliers, but not fertiliser use.

112. Commitment to no use of paraquat?

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

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

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

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

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

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

The company details pesticides used, toxic products used and organic fertiliser used.

119. Implementation of commitment to minimise inorganic fertiliser use?

The company reports it uses by-products such as empty fruit bunches and palm fronds, and also leaves felled palm roots to decompose in order to reduce its reliance on inorganic fertilisers. This information has not been externally verified.

120. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?

Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company also makes this commitment independently.

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

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company also reports its own waste management system which involves using an Environmental Management System, HSE guidlines, PPE and training sessions for employees.

122. Commitment to human rights?

123. Commitment to human rights applies to all suppliers?

124. Progress on human rights commitment?

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank.

125. Commitment to respect indigenous and local communities' rights?

The company commits to local communities and indigenous rights, but does not reference the UN Declaration/ILO Convention, and only mentions local communities and indigenous rights in relation to FPIC.

126. Commitment to indigenous and local communities' rights applies to all suppliers?

The company's own commitment applies to all suppliers, however, the company does not reference the UN Declaration/ILO Convention, and only mentions local communities and indigenous rights in relation to FPIC.

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

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

The company applies this commitment to suppliers but only in relation to FPIC, therefore, full points cannot be awarded.

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

The company commits under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower. The company also makes this commitment independently.

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

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

The RSPO Principles and Criteria 2018 contain guidance and requirements on the process to conduct free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). Points have therefore been awarded on the basis of the company's commitments under the RSPO New Planting Procedures (NPP) as an RSPO member reporting as a grower. The company also commits to the FAO 'Free Prior and Informed Consent: An indigenous peoples' right and a good practice for local communities' guidelines.

132. Examples of local stakeholder engagement to prevent conflicts?

[Externally verified] The company uses participatory mapping and regular communication with stakeholders to prevent conflicts.

133. Details of process for addressing land conflicts available?

The company has a grievance procedure which has been used to record and respond to land conflict related grievances.

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

The company commits to 'integrate women in the workforce' and cites local customs as a barrier. The company reports it holds workshops and awareness sessions on the discrimination of women. This information is not externally verified.

135. Commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?

The company makes a commitment to contribute to local food security but does not detail how.

136. Commitment to mitigate impacts on food security applies to all suppliers?

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

The company provides several examples that are not externally verified.

138. Commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?

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

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company provides multiple examples spanning education, healthcare and support obtaining water and electricity in its 2019 sustainability report.

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

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

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

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

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company also reports progress in its sustainability report 2019.

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

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

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

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company also reports efforts to tackle harassment within its operations.

147. Percentage or number of temporary employees?

2853 (6%) - The company reported that 6% of employees in 2019 were temporary out of a total workforce of 47,554. That means the company employed 2,853 temporary workers. These figures are for the whole Group, and not just palm oil operations.

148. Percentage or number of women employees?

5100 (22%) - The company reports the percentage and number of women employees for direct employees only.

149. Commitment to pay at least minimum wage?

150. Commitment to pay at least minimum wage applies to all suppliers?

151. Progress on commitment to pay at least minimum wage?

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank.

152. Reporting of salary by gender?

The company reports the minimum wage of all subsidiaries is legally set and equal among genders. However, reporting of figures or ratio of the basic salary of women in line with men is not published.

153. Commitment to address occupational health and safety?

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

155. Provision of personal protective equipment and related training?

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company also provides examples of PPE and safety training in its sustainability report 2019.

156. Time lost due to work-based injuries?

12.87 - The company reports an average 12.87 working hours lost per 200,000 hours worked. The company also reported an average injury rate of 20.71 injuries per 200,000 working hours in 2019.

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

2 - In 2019 the company reported it experienced three fatailities, one fatality was defined in a "work-related fatalities of contractors, daily workers and others" category.

158. Commitment to support smallholders?

159. Programme to support scheme/plasma smallholders?

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company also provides technical assistance, seedlings, training, and ensures purchase price.

160. Percentage of scheme/plasma smallholders involved in programme?

161. Programme to support independent smallholders/outgrowers?

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company also reports providing technical support and training sessions to smallholders and subcontractors.

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

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

The company reports it requires compliance to its responsible management policy from suppliers and provides training and assists with decision making.

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

165. Suspension or exclusion criteria for suppliers?

The company states suppliers can be excluded for non-compliance if remedial actions to correct failures are not adopted, however the criteria for exclusion is unclear and timeframes are not published.

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

167. Proportion of direct and indirect supply that comes from palm oil plantations which are compliant with palm oil sourcing policies?

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

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

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

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

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

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

174. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?

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

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

[Externally verified] Points for external verification have been awarded on the basis of the company's RSPO-certified landbank. The company also has a compliance officer who is responsible for implementing the company's code of ethics.

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

178. Whistleblowing procedure?

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

180. Details of complaints and grievances disclosed?

The grievance log is available through the company's Transparency dashboard.