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


In a press statement, the company said: “We are pleased to see the progress IOI has made so far, in particular, on third party suppliers, independent verifications, and increased transparency.”


In mid-August, Unilever acknowledged the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) plan to lift the suspension of RSPO certification for the entire IOI Group, but at that time it did not intend to resume sourcing supply from the group “until we see tangible progress and on-the-ground implementation of their declared action plan.”


Unilever said on Aug. 30, it “will continue to closely monitor progress to ensure improvements continue. We strongly believe 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.”


IOI was suspended from the RSPO in April 2016.