Overview & FAQs

 

The Implementation Framework (IRF) overview

This presentation introduces the POCG, IRF and NDPE, explains what the IRF is, how the IRF tool works and the benefits for using it.

 
 

NDPE IRF Frequently Asked Questions

From what it stands for to why it’s needed. Here’s a collection of FAQs to provide you answers at a glance:

WHAT DOES NDPE-IRF STAND FOR?

No Deforestation, No Peat and No Exploitation Implementation Reporting Framework.

 

WHAT ARE NDPE COMMITMENTS?

In the palm oil sector, many companies and NGOs have focused on addressing the most urgent sustainability issues by committing to sourcing from oil palm plantations where there is no deforestation, no expansion on peatland and no exploitation of workers or local people. This is often abbreviated to NDPE (no deforestation, peat or exploitation).

Achieving NDPE is an ongoing process to understand what is needed to achieve it, as well as a commitment to track progress, identify where action is needed, and work to implement the necessary changes and improvements.

No Deforestation, No Peat and No Exploitation (NDPE) (Proforest)

 

WHAT IS THE IRF?

The IRF is a tool that provides a shared and consistent view of progress towards NDPE commitments across the full supply base of companies throughout the supply chain. Based on a detailed set of questions, the IRF provides buyers with a consolidated view of how much of their volume is meeting NDPE commitments in full, but equally importantly what is happening in the remaining volumes.

The IRF is like a universal language that all players can use and understand, to track progress, as well as identify where action is needed to implement NDPE in full.

 

WHY IS THE IRF NEEDED?

There are almost 2000 palm oil mills around the world, and most companies using palm oil have several hundred in their supply base. Certification has been a very important tool to demonstrate delivery of NDPE commitments, but the majority of mills are not yet certified so there was an urgent need to have a common approach to understanding and monitoring progress of uncertified mills towards fully meeting NDPE. This allows companies throughout the supply chain to track progress with meeting their own commitments, but also – and crucially importantly – it allows actions to be planned and implemented to support mills which are not yet delivering on NDPE commitments.

 

WHO SHOULD BE USING THE IRF?

All companies within a supply chain are part of the process in reporting progress using the IRF. The IRF is like a communications platform that travels and can be understood at every stage of the supply chain. There are benefits for each stakeholder.

DOWNSTREAM COMPANIES

  • Visibility of progress across the entire supply chain, beyond certified volumes

  • Ensures responsible sourcing of palm oil, tracking environmental and social issues and activities across the supply chain

  • A common language to communicate with all suppliers

MIDSTREAM COMPANIES

  • Single view of the supply chain, rather than having to track every issue or item individually

  • Aggregated profile that shows progress towards NDPE in palm oil supply

  • Can be used by smaller buyers also to get same visibility and opportunity to engage 

UPSTREAM COMPANIES

  • Uniform way to engage with mills to build relationships with entire supply chain

  • Uniform view of the data – allows consistency in buying decisions

  • Supports engagement with midstream and upstream – shows their commitment to NDPE

 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Refineries complete a detailed questionnaire about each mill that they buy from. This looks at a wide range of factors and initiatives across both social and environmental issues related to NDPE commitments.

A profile is automatically generated based on the responses, which identifies the volumes that can be shown to at each category, towards delivering NDPE, using a traffic light system, red through green.

Downstream companies can use the IRF profiles to demonstrate the percentage of volumes in their supply chain that are 100% delivering on NDPE commitments. They can also use the IRF profiles to see where they are not delivering, what volumes are in the lowest category, or where they are making progress. These can be used as the basis for timebound action plans for implementation to improve and progress towards delivering NDPE.