RSPO Trademark: Most frequently asked questions

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Trademark info

Trademark documentation:

• Communication Rules
• Trademark FAQs (pdf)
• Online application form

TM slide presentation:

Watch a slide presentation on using the new RSPO trademark.

FEATURED QUESTION

Q: Why was a temporary exception created to allow use of the trademark with some use of GreenPalm certificates?
A: Some products contain more than one palm-derived ingredient. For example, they require a bit of palm kernel oil (or a derivative) that is presently not sufficiently available on the market through the 'Indentity Preserved', 'Segregated' or 'Mass Balance' supply chain system. The RSPO aims to enable a complex commodity market to move towards producing and using only sustainable palm products. Temporary and limited exceptions help companies make the necessary transitions. One such temporary and limited exception is that, if a company uses the Book & Claim system to complement IP/SG or MB sources because of limited market availability, it can use the RSPO trademark if both of the following conditions have been met: (1) all systems together (including B&C) cover at least 95% of the palm ingredients in the product, and (2) the IP, SG and/or MB systems together cover at least 75% of the palm ingredients in the product. A flow chart in the Rules on Communications and Claims further explains which rules must be followed in each case.

Frequently asked

On 31 May, 2011, the RSPO's new trademark was released for use in the market.
This page offers quick access to answers to the most frequently asked questions about using the trademark. For more information about the trademark, see the RSPO's online Market Center or e-mail the Trademark helpdesk.

Questions about the transition from old to new communication rules
Questions about 'corporate communication'
Questions about 'product-related communication'
Questions about 'non-commercial communication'
Questions about getting an RSPO trademark license
Questions about getting and using RSPO trademark image files
Questions about RSPO trademark graphic design rules

Questions about the transition from old to new communication rules

Why did the RSPO change its Rules on Communications & Claims?

In what major way do the new rules differ from the old rules?

When did the new rules go into effect?

I now follow the old ‘Guidelines on Communications & Claims’. Do I need to make changes?

My company printed materials based on the old ‘Guidelines’. Can I continue to use those materials?

Can the rules on communication, claims and trademark use change in the future?

What if a company that uses the RSPO name, corporate logo or trademark does not comply with RSPO regulations?

What should I do if I find out that a company uses the RSPO name, corporate logo or trademark but does not comply with RSPO regulations?

Questions about 'corporate communication'

What exactly is ‘corporate communication’?

Can I use the RSPO corporate logo (orange italics) in my company’s corporate communication?

Can I use the RSPO trademark (the rounded palm top) in my company’s corporate communication?

Questions about 'product-related communication'

What is product-related communication?

Can I use the RSPO corporate logo in my company’s product-related communication?

Can I use the RSPO trademark in my company’s product-related communication?

Do I need a trademark license for any use of the RSPO trademark?

How much does it cost to get a trademark license?

Is use of the RSPO trademark mandatory?

I am not an RSPO member but I do buy and sell RSPO-certified palm products. Can I use the RSPO name or logo?

I source palm products through the Identity Preserved (IP) or Segregated (SG) supply chain system. Can I use the trademark?

I source palm products through the Mass Balance (MB) supply chain system. Can I use the trademark?

I’ve bought and redeemed GreenPalm certificates to off-set my use of palm products. Can I use the RSPO trademark?

Why was a temporary exception created that allows companies to use the trademark (with the word ‘Certified’) even though some of the palm-derived ingredients were off-set by GreenPalm certificates, not sourced through a Segregated supply chain?

Can I use the RSPO trademark if less than 95% of the palm ingredients in my product was sourced through RSPO systems?

Can I use product-related communication if less than 95% of the palm ingredients in my product was sourced through RSPO systems?

I use several RSPO supply chain systems to source palm oil ingredients for my product. Which rules should I follow?

Can I use percentages in product-related claims?

Can I use other claims than the ones specified in the Rules on Communications & Claims?

Can I use my own translated claims?

Can I use additional story-telling in product-related communications?

I currently use the RSPO corporate logo in product-related communication. Can I continue to do so?

We (company A) are contracted to pack products for another company (company B). Both companies are RSPO members and both are RSPO supply-chain certified. Which company’s trademark license number should go on the pack?

Q: My company manufactures private brand products for a retailer company. The retailer wants an RSPO trademark on product packages. Who should apply for a trademark license? Which trademark license number goes on pack?

We are a food service company that uses certified palm-derived ingredients for our catering services. How can we inform our customers about the use of RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil?

We supply RSPO-certified sustainable palm products to food service companies. Do we have to use the trademark on pack?

Why do I need to provide a link to a web page with up-to-date listings and/or descriptions of product(s), product group(s) and/or brand(s) that carry the trademark?

I am a retailer. Do I need to provide a link to a web page with up-to-date listings and/or descriptions of product(s), product group(s) and/or brand(s) that carry the trademark?

I am a trader. Do I need to provide a link to a web page with up-to-date listings and/or descriptions of product(s), product group(s) and/or brand(s) that carry the trademark?

What if a company that uses the RSPO name, corporate logo or trademark does not comply with RSPO regulations?

What should I do if I find out that a company uses the RSPO name, corporate logo or trademark but does not comply with RSPO regulations?

Questions about 'non-commercial communication'

What exactly is ‘non-commercial communication’?

Can I use the RSPO corporate logo in my organization’s non-commercial communication?

Can I use the RSPO trademark in my organization’s non-commercial communication?

Questions about getting an RSPO trademark license

My company intends to use the RSPO trademark for commercial reasons. Do I need a license?

Do I need separate licenses for each product, brand or production site?

Do I need to pay a compensation or fee for the RSPO trademark license?

How do I get an RSPO trademark license?

As a retailer I sell products manufactured by other companies. Do I need to acquire a trademark license?

As an RSPO member, can I use the RSPO trademark for other purposes than product-related communication?

Questions about getting and using RSPO trademark image files

Can I just copy the trademark image and use it for product-related communications?

Where do I get trademark image files?

Questions about RSPO trademark graphic design rules

Can I modify the trademark image files?

Do I need to add the trademark license number to every RSPO trademark?

Does my final artwork need RSPO approval?

I want to use the RSPO trademark on pack. Where should it go?

May I display the RSPO trademark and statement separately?

Can I translate the RSPO trademark myself?

I communicate in multiple languages at the same time. How do I use the RSPO trademark?

More info

MARKET CENTER

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RSPO's full
'Principles and Criteria'

- Principles and criteria for sustainable palm oil production (pdf)

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