Leading Labels: RSPO Among Top Sustainability Labels in Dutch Market

Amsterdam, 30 September 2025 - The RSPO Label has retained its recognition as one of the 13 top sustainability labels identified in the Dutch market, according to Milieu Centraal, a Dutch knowledge centre for sustainable living, which offers consumers practical tips and advice on everything from waste separation to solar panels.

Every three years, Milieu Centraal, together with 22 external experts, reassesses food labels. RSPO stands alongside globally recognised schemes like Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, MSC, and EU Organic, reinforcing its status as a reliable certification for sustainable palm oil.

The RSPO Label provides a quick and easy way for consumers to identify products made with RSPO Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO), helping to make informed purchasing decisions.

The following 13 were identified as the most ambitious: ASC, Beter Leven 3 stars, Demeter, EU Organic, EKO-NL 3 stars, Fair for Life, Fairtrade, Fair Trade Certified, MSC, Pro Terra, Rainforest Alliance, RSPO, and the Sustainable Rice Platform. The labels were compared against legal minimums, conventional practices, best practice examples, and against each other. About 80 sets of requirements across 11 product categories were assessed.

Paulien van der Geest, label expert at Milieu Centraal, says: "On environmental aspects, researchers looked at how positively requirements impact biodiversity, soil quality, and water management."

The RSPO's latest Impact Update shows an average water footprint of 5.27 m³/MT of palm oil production within RSPO Certified plantations, significantly lower than other vegetable oils.

"For tropical products, the criteria examined include bans on child labour, rights to unionise, and whether farmers receive premiums that support a living income," Ms van der Geest continues.

The 2024 RSPO Principles and Criteria strengthen workers' rights, workers are now protected against retaliation for joining workers' organisations and trade unions.

Nearly half (47%) of Dutch consumers say they would pay more attention to sustainability labels if they knew which were most reliable. "Milieu Centraal's quality rating is important because it shows consumers that there are credible and affordable certified sustainable private-label options in supermarkets. RSPO's inclusion creates an opportunity to strengthen recognition and uptake of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO)," said Ruben Brunsveld, RSPO Deputy Director, Market Transformation (EMEA).

Milieu Centraal's quality rating is important because it shows consumers which are the most credible certification schemes on the products in supermarkets. RSPO's recognition is a reflection of our dedication to sustainability and creates an opportunity to strengthen the uptake of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO).

In the Netherlands, the number of RSPO Trademark License Holders has more than doubled in recent years, increasing from 47 in 2018 to 100 in 2025. The RSPO Label is now carried on 176 products across a wide range of categories. Bakery leads with 71 products, followed by snacks (25) and soap & bath products (14), while cereals, confectionery, dairy, and personal care also carry the label. This growth highlights both the scale and visibility of the RSPO Label in the Dutch market, reinforcing consumer recognition of certified sustainable palm oil.

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About Milieu Centraal:

Milieu Centraal is the Dutch knowledge centre for sustainable living, offering consumers practical tips and advice on everything from waste separation to solar panels. An external scientific advisory board supports its quality assurance. Through its websites and social media, Milieu Centraal reaches about 30,000 consumers daily.