Indonesia remains the world's largest producer of palm oil, yet the industry continues to face significant sustainability challenges related to deforestation, peatland conversion, labour issues, social conflicts, and increasingly stringent international market requirements. These challenges have intensified the need to strengthen sustainable certification systems through the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). This study aims to examine the complementary roles of ISPO and RSPO in supporting the sustainability and global competitiveness of Indonesia's palm oil sector from the perspectives of human resources, social responsibility, economic performance, environmental management, governance, and industrial competitiveness. The study employed a qualitative literature review by analysing recent academic publications, government regulations, and institutional reports published mainly between 2020 and 2026. The collected literature was classified into thematic dimensions and examined through descriptive qualitative analysis to identify convergent findings and emerging issues. The results indicate that ISPO provides a mandatory national regulatory framework, whereas RSPO enhances access to international premium markets through stricter sustainability standards. Integrating both certification systems can improve operational performance, strengthen governance, reduce regulatory risks, and enhance market competitiveness. Nevertheless, limited certification among independent smallholders and evolving international regulations remain important challenges for achieving long-term sustainability.
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