RSB Document Library

Principle 2 (and its criteria and minimum requirements) of the RSB Principles & Criteria requires participating operators (POs) to complete a process called the RSB Impact Assessment. This document describes the process that should be followed, to give direction and guidance to POs and auditors. In many instances the PO may already have completed a government-regulated process, and the RSB standard requires that this process is streamlined and integrated with the RSB Impact Assessment.

The RSB Social Impact Assessment Guidelines are designed to help the operator understand the RSB social impact assessment (SIA) process. The guidelines should be read together with the RSB Impact Assessment Guidelines (RSB-GUI-01-002-01) which provide a roadmap of the various processes required to complete the RSB impact assessment process and stakeholder engagement process, the latter being central to the completion of the SIA.

RSB’s Rural and Social Development Guidelines provide guidance on how to improve the socio-economic conditions of a given area. However, it is important to note that each context is different, and each case has specific challenges and opportunities for which local stakeholder input is essential. For this reason, the RSB encourages operators to work with affected communities and vulnerable households to find the best ways to improve their lives.

RSB’s Food Security Assessment Guidelines provide guidance on measuring food security and conducting a food security impact assessment (FSIA). The FSIA should provide information on the status of, and the impact of the operation on, food security in the locality. The assessment should also provide guidance to operators on the most relevant measures they can employ to mitigate any negative impacts and enhance the food security of directly affected stakeholders.

RSB’s Conservation Impact Assessment Guidelines help operators to conduct a conservation impact assessment by evaluating potential impacts of operations on conservation values. They describe key aspects to be investigated during the planning of new projects or ongoing activities in order to identify the potential impact of operations on conservation values (including the use of invasive species) and suggest good practices to minimise such impacts.

RSB’s Soil Impact Assessment Guidelines help operators to conduct a soil impact assessment by evaluating potential impacts of operations on local soils. They describe key aspects to be investigated during the planning of new projects or ongoing activities, in order to identify potential impacts operations may cause to soil health and, if relevant, good practices to minimise such impacts to an acceptable level.

RSB’s Water Impact Assessment Guidelines help operators to conduct a water impact assessment by evaluating potential impacts of operations on water resources. They describe key aspects to be investigated during planning of new projects or ongoing activities in order to identify potential impacts operations may have on water (including the use of invasive species) and good practices to minimise such impacts.

RSB’s Land Rights Guidelines help operators identify existing rights to land (formal and informal) in the area of proposed operations, and to identify potential risks to the operation and impacts to rights-holders. They are also designed to help operators negotiate with rights-holders and users in line with their right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), both in land acquisition and for resolving disputes over land in both proposed and existing operations, in order to help operators avoid and resolve such disputes. The guidelines are intended to guide the operator to apply good practice, minimise risks, respect rights and avoid disputes in relation to land. These guidelines may also be used by the auditor to gain a better understanding of key aspects to be considered during certification process.