With the approval of the Board of Governors (BoG), the RSPO is undergoing a rebalancing of its current funding structure, aimed at strengthening the sustainability of its funding base while preserving broad, effective and inclusive participation within its multi-stakeholder model. This includes a revision of the RSPO Trade Fees this October and in due course, Membership Fees, which the Board of Governors will be proposing to the RSPO General Assembly in November 2026.
RSPO Trade Fees will change with effect from 1 October 2026 at 00:00 UTC. This is the first comprehensive revision to the Trade Fee structure since certified volume trading began in 2008.
The Trade Fees will increase for established products, including CSPO and CSPK, and decrease for selected emerging products, including Independent Smallholder (IS) Credits.
We recognise that this change will affect Members differently, and we are committed to supporting Members through this transition with clear information and practical guidance.
Why Is RSPO Adjusting Trade Fees?
RSPO funds its operations primarily through two funding sources: Trade Fees and Membership Fees. The Trade Fee structure has remained essentially unchanged since certified volume trading began in 2008.
Over that period, RSPO’s operations have grown substantially. This includes the development of new Standards and assurance procedures, expanded traceability systems, growing regulatory demands, including due-diligence regulations such as EUDR, and the establishment of regional offices to support Members closer to where they operate.
These developments over the past 18 years have increased the scale and complexity of the RSPO system without corresponding changes to the Trade Fee structure.
The revised Trade Fee structure was developed as part of a broader review of RSPO’s funding model, taking into account the evolving scale and needs of the RSPO system. It also aims to support continued participation and market development for emerging products.
What Is Changing?
The revised Trade Fee structure introduces two tiers, while also standardising the administrative component of the Trade Fee.
Tier 1: Established products
Higher Trade Fees will apply to established products. This adjustment will strengthen the financial sustainability of the RSPO system and support the continued delivery and development of the standards, systems and services that underpin the RSPO supply chain and marketplace.
Tier 2: Emerging products
Lower Trade Fees will apply to selected emerging products and credits. This will reduce barriers to participation, address existing market imbalances and support further market development.
The revised fees will also provide a more direct incentive for buyers to support Independent Smallholder Groups through Independent Smallholder (IS) Credits by reducing fee-related barriers to entry.
For CSPKO Credits, a Trade Fee will be reinstated at a reduced level while establishing a more consistent fee structure across the relevant credit categories.
Revised Two-Tier Trade Fee Structure
| RSPO Product | Current Total Fee | Revised Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 – Established products | ||
| CSPO Physical | US$1.30 | US$1.95 |
| CSPO Credits | US$1.30 | US$1.95 |
| CSPK Physical | US$0.59 | US$1.95 |
| Tier 2 – Emerging products | ||
| IS-CSPO Credits | US$1.30 | US$0.60 |
| IS-CSPKO Credits | US$1.30 | US$0.60 |
| IS-CSPKE Credits | US$1.30 | US$0.60 |
| CSPKO Credits | No fee | US$0.60 |
| CSPKE Credits | US$1.30 | US$0.60 |
Trade Fees are stated in US$ per metric tonne or credit, as applicable.
The revised Trade Fee structure comprises two components: the RSPO Contribution Rate and a standardised Administrative Fee of US$0.30 per metric tonne or credit.
What Will the Revised Trade Fees Support?
Trade Fee revenue will support the continued development and delivery of RSPO Standards, systems and services, including:
- Traceability and technology, supporting the integrity and efficiency of the RSPO supply chain.
- Standards development and assurance, including the continued maintenance and implementation of RSPO requirements.
- Regulatory response capacity, including support for Members navigating evolving due-diligence and sustainability regulations.
- Regional support, including member services provided through RSPO’s regional offices.
- Market development, expanding RSPO Membership into new geographies and maintaining its relevance in the global sustainable palm oil market.
Subject to approval of the proposed Membership Fee by the RSPO General Assembly (GA) on 4 November 2026, and as part of the broader funding package, RSPO will commit at least 10% of annual Trade Fee revenue to Stakeholder Inclusion and Impact Activities. This will include supporting smallholders, NGOs and other stakeholders who are essential to RSPO’s multistakeholder model.
Please note that the full details of the proposed Membership Fee changes resolution will be set out in the GA Notice, which will be published on 7 October 2026. RSPO will update Members on the outcome following the GA.
What Do Members Need to Do?
Members are encouraged to:
- Review the revised Trade Fee structure and assess how the changes may affect your trading activities.
- Share this information with your relevant trading, finance and operational teams in preparation for the changes.
- Review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for information on how the revised fees will apply to specific transaction scenarios.
- Plan trading activities around the scheduled prisma Trade Fee Transition Window outlined below.
prisma Trade Fee Transition Window
The revised Trade Fees will apply from 1 October 2026 00:00 UTC.
To facilitate the implementation of the revised Trade Fee structure, prisma will undergo a scheduled period of Trade Fee Transition Window from Wednesday, 30 September 2026, 16:00 UTC to Thursday, 1 October 2026, 00:00 UTC.
Support for Members During the Transition
Members can access the following resources:
For questions or further information:
For Invoice and Payment matters:
Please contact [email protected]
For other prisma related matters:
Please contact [email protected]
We appreciate your continued commitment to the RSPO system and look forward to working together to build a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient RSPO for the future.