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  • Overall approach
    2/14
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      0/6
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      1/1
      Signatory
      Yes
      1/1
      BASF is a member of the UN Global Compact and report regularly on their implementation of the 10 principles. 
      Open source document
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Awareness
      Yes
      1/1
      "Tropical natural forests and peatland are critical for millions of indigenous and local peoples who depend on them for their livelihoods, as well as for food, medicine - and for their home. When these forests and peat are cleared for palm cultivation or other agricultural purposes like rubber cultivation, huge stocks of carbon are released, biodiversity is lost, and livelihoods are destroyed forever."
      Open source document
    • Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
      0/3
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/3
  • Commodity score
    35/86
    • Palm oil
      62/86
      • Commitment Strength
        34/36
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          13/15
          • Commitment details
            Forest-related commitment
            6/8
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Forest-related commitment
            6/8
            Certification schemes mentioned: RSPO
            Type of commitment: Zero deforestation
            "[...] by 2020 all palm-based oils we purchase will be RSPO-certified and traceable."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            "[...] by 2020 all palm-based oils we purchase will be RSPO-certified and traceable."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            "[...] by 2020 all palm-based oils we purchase will be RSPO-certified and traceable."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "[...] by 2020 all palm-based oils we purchase will be RSPO-certified and traceable."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "[...] by 2020 all palm-based oils we purchase will be RSPO-certified and traceable."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2020
            1.2/1.3
            Target date
            2020
            1.2/1.3
            "[...] by 2020 all palm-based oils we purchase will be RSPO-certified and traceable."
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            "[...] by 2020 all palm-based oils we purchase will be RSPO-certified and traceable."
            Open source document
        • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
          11/11
          • Commitment details
            Yes
            4/4
            Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            4/4
            Type of commitment: HCS; Peat
            "We expect you as a supplier to BASF to increasingly address the key elements below in your supply chain [...] conserve and restore High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) Areas [...] You abstain from development of peatland." 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            "We expect you as a supplier to BASF to increasingly address the key elements below in your supply chain [...] conserve and restore High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) Areas [...] You abstain from development of peatland." 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            "We expect you as a supplier to BASF to increasingly address the key elements below in your supply chain [...] conserve and restore High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) Areas [...] You abstain from development of peatland." 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "We expect you as a supplier to BASF to increasingly address the key elements below in your supply chain [...] conserve and restore High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) Areas [...] You abstain from development of peatland." 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "We expect you as a supplier to BASF to increasingly address the key elements below in your supply chain [...] conserve and restore High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) Areas [...] You abstain from development of peatland." 
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            Target date
            Current
            1.3/1.3
            "We expect you as a supplier to BASF to increasingly address the key elements below in your supply chain [...] conserve and restore High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) Areas [...] You abstain from development of peatland." 
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            "We expect you as a supplier to BASF to increasingly address the key elements below in your supply chain [...] conserve and restore High Conservation Value (HCV) and High Carbon Stock (HCS) Areas [...] You abstain from development of peatland." 
            Open source document
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          11/11
          • Commitment details
            traces to Point of production
            4/4
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            traces to Point of production
            4/4
            "BASF will establish and incorporate upstream traceability for palm oil and palm kernel oil by 2020." Their Palm Oil Sourcing Policy states that suppliers must "support upstream traceability to oil mill level and ultimately to plantation level."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            Yes
            1/1
            "BASF will establish and incorporate upstream traceability for palm oil and palm kernel oil by 2020." Their Palm Oil Sourcing Policy states that suppliers must "support upstream traceability to oil mill level and ultimately to plantation level."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all operations
            Yes
            1/1
            "BASF will establish and incorporate upstream traceability for palm oil and palm kernel oil by 2020." Their Palm Oil Sourcing Policy states that suppliers must "support upstream traceability to oil mill level and ultimately to plantation level."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "BASF will establish and incorporate upstream traceability for palm oil and palm kernel oil by 2020." Their Palm Oil Sourcing Policy states that suppliers must "support upstream traceability to oil mill level and ultimately to plantation level."
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            Yes
            1/1
            "BASF will establish and incorporate upstream traceability for palm oil and palm kernel oil by 2020." Their Palm Oil Sourcing Policy states that suppliers must "support upstream traceability to oil mill level and ultimately to plantation level."
            Open source document
          • Target date
            2020
            1.2/1.3
            Target date
            2020
            1.2/1.3
            "BASF will establish and incorporate upstream traceability for palm oil and palm kernel oil by 2020." Their Palm Oil Sourcing Policy states that suppliers must "support upstream traceability to oil mill level and ultimately to plantation level."
            Open source document
          • Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Target is quantifiable
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            "BASF will establish and incorporate upstream traceability for palm oil and palm kernel oil by 2020." Their Palm Oil Sourcing Policy states that suppliers must "support upstream traceability to oil mill level and ultimately to plantation level."
            Open source document
      • Reporting and Implementation
        17/34
        • Reporting against commitments
          4/6
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            Yes
            2/2
            "In 2017, the company was able to trace almost 80 percent of its overall oil palm exposure of more than half a million metric tons. The certified sustainable oil is 100 percent traceable and originates from 204 oil mills in Indonesia and Malaysia (2016: 128), according to the second BASF Palm Progress Report."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            2/2
            "In the difficult market environment of 2017, BASF purchased 153,000 metric tons of RSPO-certified palm kernel oil and made significant progress regarding traceability. "
            Open source document
          • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            No
            0/2
            Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            No
            0/2
            "In the difficult market environment of 2017, BASF purchased 153,000 metric tons of RSPO-certified palm kernel oil and made significant progress regarding traceability. "
            Open source document
        • Reporting is independently verified
          3/4
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.3
            Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.3
            "In 2017, the company was able to trace almost 80 percent of its overall oil palm exposure of more than half a million metric tons. The certified sustainable oil is 100 percent traceable and originates from 204 oil mills in Indonesia and Malaysia (2016: 128), according to the second BASF Palm Progress Report."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            certification
            "In the difficult market environment of 2017, BASF purchased 153,000 metric tons of RSPO-certified palm kernel oil and made significant progress regarding traceability. "
            Open source document
          • Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment to protect High Carbon Stock areas and/or peatlands
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            certification
            "In the difficult market environment of 2017, BASF purchased 153,000 metric tons of RSPO-certified palm kernel oil and made significant progress regarding traceability. "
            Open source document
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          Non-specific monitoring statement
          2/4
          Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          Non-specific monitoring statement
          2/4
          "BASF reserves the right to conduct audits or assessments to ensure your compliance and will take appropriate steps regarding our relationship with you if there is a reason for concern. BASF reserves the right to discontinue any relationship for non-adherence to international principles, failure to correct violations, or displaying patterns of non-compliance with these standards."
          Open source document
        • Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/4
          Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/4
          Open source document
        • Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Both
          [translation] “Our employees have access to superiors, experts’ offices as well as the compliance commissary of the company for grievances and tip offs regarding misconduct. Additionally, we have established worldwide hotlines that our employees as well as external people can use anonymously."
          Open source document
        • Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Attending & contributing to meetings; Providing support/advice/experience/expertise
          BASF joined the High Carbon Stock (HCS) Steering Group in 2016.
          Open source document
        • Report volumes of commodity
          Partial
          2/4
          Report volumes of commodity
          Partial
          2/4
          "In the difficult market environment of 2017, BASF purchased 153,000 metric tons of RSPO-certified palm kernel oil"
          Open source document
      • Social Considerations
        12/16
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes
          4/4
          "We have incorporated requirements for a Free, Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process as well as labor and human rights into our Palm Sourcing Policy."
          Open source document
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          ILO; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          BASF state that they abide by the minimum standards for social security and human rights as set by the ILO and the UN Declaration on Human Rights. They require their suppliers to ensure their workers' have freedom of association, and to be free from forced labour, child labour and discrimination. 
          Open source document
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          No commitment
          0/4
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          Yes
          4/4
          Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          Yes
          4/4
          "We expect you as a supplier to BASF to increasingly address the key elements below in your supply chain [...] You promote smallholder inclusion into certified supply chains; You ensure fair smallholder treatment."
          Open source document
    • Pulp & Paper
      8/86
      • Commitment Strength
        0/36
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          0/15
          • Commitment details
            No commitment
            0/8
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
        • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
          0/11
          • Commitment details
            No
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/11
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all sourcing regions
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all operations
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all direct suppliers
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment applies to all indirect suppliers
            No
            0/1
          • Target date
            No deadline
            0/1.3
          • Target is quantifiable
            No
            0/1.3
      • Reporting and Implementation
        4/34
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/6
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/2
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/4
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/1.3
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/1.3
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          No monitoring
          0/4
          Monitoring and verification of supplier compliance
          No monitoring
          0/4
          Open source document
        • Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/4
        • Publishing supplier lists
          No disclosure
          0/4
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes
          4/4
          Both
          [translation] “Our employees have access to superiors, experts’ offices as well as the compliance commissary of the company for grievances and tip offs regarding misconduct. Additionally, we have established worldwide hotlines that our employees as well as external people can use anonymously."
          Open source document
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/4
      • Social Considerations
        4/16
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/4
          Open source document
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          ILO; Discrimination; Forced Labour; Child Labour; Freedom of association
          BASF state that they abide by the minimum standards for social security and human rights as set by the ILO and the UN Declaration on Human Rights. They require their suppliers to ensure their workers' have freedom of association, and to be free from forced labour, child labour and discrimination. 
          Open source document
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          No commitment
          0/4
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
          Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
          Open source document
  • Commitment strength
    17/36
    Avg. score
  • Reporting and Implementation
    10/34
    Avg. score
  • Social considerations
    8/16
    Avg. score

Profile

BASF is one of the world’s leading chemical companies, operating in over 80 countries. Its portfolio includes a wide range of products including chemicals, plastics, agricultural solutions, and even oil and gas. Palm kernel oil and its derivatives are key raw materials for BASF’s home and personal care offerings. It is one of the top ten users of palm oil worldwide, using over 380,000 metric tons of palm oil and derivatives in its products in 2015.

Sector
Industry sector 
Ingredients, Other
Segments
Trader
HQ
HQ 
Germany
Company Type
Company type 
Private
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

BASF

How we assess the Forest 500

To ensure deforestation free supply chains, companies need to adopt and implement timebound and measurable policies for forest risk commodities.

All assessments use policies published on company websites, some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Full corporate sector performance data Forest 500 assessment methodology

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Disclaimer

This assessment has been carried out following the methodology developed for the Forest 500 project, available here. Please see our disclaimer applicable to all information contained within this site and our terms and conditions for use of data presented on this site.

All assessments use policies published on company and financial institution websites, and while we endeavor to keep them updated some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Please contact us with any concerns or feedback about this or other assessments included in the Forest 500.