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Unilever resumes palm oil purchases from IOI noting 'positive progress'

5 Sep 2017

Following the update on the positive progress IOI has made on sustainability, Unilever has now resumed sourcing palm oil from IOI.

Following the update on the positive progress IOI has made on sustainability, Unilever has now resumed sourcing palm oil from IOI. The company says that it is pleased to see the progress IOI has made so far, in particular, on third party suppliers, independent verifications, and increased transparency.

Unilever notes it will continue to closely monitor progress to ensure improvements continue, saying that it strongly believes that it is only through close collaboration among all stakeholders that we can continue to drive change in the industry and make sustainable palm oil commonplace.

Following IOI’s suspension from the RSPO, Unilever moved 90% of its IOI sourcing to alternative suppliers in June 2016. In August 2016, with the lifting of the suspension by RSPO, Unilever said that it recognised that IOI had made a good start with the required remedial action plan but that it did not intend to resume sourcing palm oil products from IOI until it saw tangible progress and on-the-ground implementation of their declared action plan. Unilever reiterated that it expected the highest standards from all of its suppliers and would only source from suppliers who demonstrate strict adherence to the Unilever Sustainable Palm Oil Policy.