CBP previously announced it would detain palm oil and palm oil products made by FGV following allegations of forced and child labour.

In a statement, RSPO expressed reservations about the impact of CBP’s withhold release order (WRO) on smallholders and workers.

RSPO’s CEO-designate, Beverley Postma, said: “Human rights violations remain one of the toughest challenges in commodity supply chains. We condemn the use of forced or child labour or any other form of modern slavery on any members’ plantation – certified or uncertified.”

However, she said the order would not just penalise those responsible for the alleged abuses, but also those “without blame who depend on the company”.

“It is our individual and collective conviction that we should work together to deliver positive, sustainable impacts, not just for the rainforests and endangered species within them, but for the people and communities who rely on this crop for their livelihoods and futures,” she said.

Earlier this year, RSPO suspended its certification for FGV over alleged violations at its Kilang Sawit Serting mill, and ceased processing certification for all its other uncertified units until their directives were fully met.

It said it would uphold their existing sanctions on FGV and continue working with the group towards meeting the human rights and social protection standards they have established.

Postma said RSPO and its members remained committed to transparency and accountability, and would continue to make relevant developments available online.

She urged those with complaints of human rights violations to lodge formal statements through the RSPO complaints system.