Stephenson is a leader in the manufacture and supply of a wide range of solid and extruded soap bases, syndets, and sustainable esters for the personal care and beauty industry.
As a responsible manufacturer of vegetable oil-based products, the Yorkshire-based company recognises that there are often valid sustainability and environmental issues linked to the use of conventional palm oil and palm oil-derived ingredients in the manufacture of these products.
Putting its weight behind the need for transformation in the palm oil industry, Stephenson has reiterated its support for RSPO-certified palm oil and palm oil derivatives during all its manufacturing processes.
Rob Carr, Managing Director of Stephenson says, “When grown sustainably, palm oil can be a force for good, protecting the environment, communities, employees, and wildlife. This is why the Stephenson team is so committed to enabling the positive impact of sustainable palm oil through our Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification.”
RSPO certification is a set of environmental and social criteria that guarantees the sustainable cultivation of palm oil during the entire supply chain.
“Rather than prohibit palm oil use, Stephenson has taken the position to only source and use palm oil that is grown and managed sustainably and certified by RSPO. Palm oil is a highly productive crop versus other vegetable oils, which often uses more land and natural resources which could lead to further negative environmental impacts,” Rob points out.
A strict set of criteria
Stephenson is committed to only sourcing ingredients from suppliers who are aligned with its key sourcing principles, and the strict criteria set out by the RSPO regarding the cultivation, harvest, and supply of palm oil to the manufacturing industry.
These include:
No deforestation
Protecting high conservation values and carbon stock areas
No planting of new crops on or the development of peatland
Prohibits the exploitation of people and local communities
Smallholder inclusion
Promotes the fair treatment of smallholders in the supply chain
Since joining RSPO in 2010, Stephenson has further increased its commitment to the responsible sourcing of palm and palm kernel oil as a member of the Palm Oil Innovation Group (POIG) in conjunction with high-profile brands such as L’Oreal. POIG also shows its support for NGOs including WWF, Greenpeace, Rainforest Action Network, and Orangutan Land Trust.
“We expect our partners and supply chains to remain compliant with all applicable legislation while adhering to voluntary sustainability standards that support responsible practices to protect the natural world and the communities that we source our raw materials from,” Rob concludes. “After all, we only have one earth, and we must protect it.”
To read our Sustainability Policy in full, click here.
