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Onboarding Programme
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We want to help the suppliers get on board. The members' council has set this as an important condition for the decision on digital environmental registration and certification.
More information about the implementation of this programme will follow.
Read more about the taken decisions and get inspired by your fellow growers!
- Digital environmental registration and certification remains a priority for our marketplace
- Royal FloraHolland makes environmental certification mandatory by the end of 2021
- Environmental certification is good for the image of the marketplace
- A&P Flowers: "You must have a certificate if customers ask for it"
- KP Holland "Contributing to a sustainable and green living environment"
- Up-to-Date and Reliable Certificate Information on Clock Front
- Reduced MPS-ABC rates stimulate environmental registration and certification
Frequently asked questions
Is Royal FloraHolland postponing the mandatory environmental registration and certification due to the corona crisis?
Many companies in the horticulture industry have been very hard hit by the corona crisis. Royal FloraHolland is doing everything it can to support growers and customers in these difficult times. In view of creating a futureproof marketplace, Royal FloraHolland will continue to prioritise all strategic projects, including digital environmental registration and certification.
On 12 March 2020, the Members' Council determined that mandatory digital environmental registration and certification can only be introduced if everyone, in line with the principles of reasonableness and fairness, has the time and opportunity to comply. This point of view remains unchanged.
Not later than 31 December 2020, all suppliers (cooperative members and non-members) will be required by Royal FloraHolland to have a digital environmental registration and as o later than 31 December 2021, environmental certification in line with the market. Ultimately, Royal FloraHolland envisages that all suppliers to the marketplace will also comply with the FSI social sustainability norms, and those relating to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). In September 2020, we will assess in conjunction with the Sustainability Leading Team whether the preconditions set by the Members' Council have been met and whether it is reasonable to stick to the starting dates for enforcement quoted above.
Why has Royal FloraHolland made digital environmental registration and certification a requirement when supplying to the Royal FloraHolland marketplace?
The market increasingly demands transparency w.r.t. the production of flowers and plants, as well as the business practices of suppliers. The relevant criteria have been incorporated in certificates. After being awarded certification, growers can reliably demonstrate that they meet the criteria that have been set. In turn, buyers' demands for targeted and efficient certified sustainable procurement will be met.
We also see that the government is pursuing increasingly stricter policies on sustainability. It is a good idea to stay ahead of new regulations by proactively and jointly demonstrating that we produce in an increasingly sustainable manner. Moreover, certification offers opportunities to differentiate yourself and promotes international competitiveness.
With the decision to enforce this requirement, we as a cooperative and a company have taken the initiative to make our efforts transparent in a verifiable manner. In so doing, we can jointly safeguard the reputation of our products, our sector and our common marketplace.
How did this decision come about?
The decision process was conducted with due diligence. After a period of intense cooperation between the Sustainability Leading Team (consisting of growers in the cooperative) and the RFH Sustainable Development Team, and on the basis of member consultations in 2018 and 2019, a concrete approach was developed to introduce mandatory digital environmental registration and certification for all suppliers to the Royal FloraHolland marketplace. On 10 October 2019, the Members' Council issued a positive recommendation on this approach, and set a number of binding preconditions. On 27 October 2019, the Management Board decided to proceed with implementation, aware that the preconditions set have yet to be met, but in the confidence that they will be.
In September 2020, we will assess in conjunction with the Sustainability Leading Team whether the preconditions set by the Members' Council have been met and whether it is reasonable to stick to the starting dates for enforcement quoted above.
To whom does this obligation apply and from when?
The obligation applies to all suppliers (members or non-members) to our marketplace. From 31 December 2020, every supplier must demonstrably carry a digital environmental registration through one of the market-based registration tools. By 31 December 2021 at the latest, every supplier must have a market-compliant environmental certificate.
Suppliers who are themselves not growers will be obliged to transparently prove that the products they supply have been sourced from certified growers.
What is the status with regard to meeting the preconditions?
The emphasis is on meeting the following three preconditions:
- Informing and 'onboarding' our members
- Improved accessibility of existing certifying organisations
- Alternatives for digital environmental registration and certification
Re 1.The process of informing and onboarding started during the member consultation sessions in 2018 and 2019. In due course, this will be complemented by a communication and activation campaign that will include (online) meetings and, once it's possible again, on site. The FPCs, as well as RFH employees in close contact with growers, will be asked to invite as many of our suppliers as possible to participate.
The purpose of the meetings will be to activate growers to start the digital registration process that will ultimately lead to environmental certification. They will receive information about the options available to them. After these activation sessions and depending on demand, extra sessions will be organised for growers who need help choosing a suitable registration tool or with certification in general.
Re 2. With the new MPS ABC 3.0 scheme, MPS fully complies with the standards for digital environmental registration and environmental certification. Growers who want to get started straightaway can go to them. MPS has set a separate fee for the first year's registration for Dutch growers. In the second year, a total fee - the certification fee - will apply, which MPS has reduced for growers with a small cultivation area. The fees for growers in The Netherlands have already been set. The fees for growers abroad have yet to be set.
Re 3. We are working on creating at least one alternative registration tool in addition to MPS, so that growers have a choice regarding digital environmental registration and environmental certification. Moreover, it is essential that the registration tools are congruent with the criteria and methodology of existing schemes. It is the objective of RFH to ensure that environmental registration tools and certificates that comply with FSI requirements will be available for suppliers in all countries.
Why is it necessary for growers to obtain an environmental certificate in addition to all the (legally) mandatory registrations?
The legally mandatory registrations don't fully cover the environmental requirements made by the market. An environmental certificate does: a digital environmental registration linked to a scheme is validated with an audit and possibly sampling. This way, the environmental performance of a grower can be transparently and reliably established. Moreover, an environmental certificate will demonstrate that a grower meets any legal requirements.
Digital and uniform registration is also important. There is a great need in the sector for reliable, secure data and information in anticipation to future developments such as footprints and environmental-impact indicators. These things will also help us strengthen the reputation of the products, the sector and our market place.
How many members currently have a certificate?
Most members realise that the market demands transparency with regard to the way in which their flowers and plants are produced and that this should be demonstrated by means of a certificate. Currently, roughly 60% of our members are not yet certified. This is often because their customers do not or do not consistently ask for certification, and because they find obtaining a certificate to be too complex and/or too expensive. Nevertheless, everyone will ultimately be obliged to comply with mandatory certification.
How can I make my certification known?
In our marketplace, growers can demonstrate how sustainable their production is by providing certificates, among other ways. The certificates are already visible in the supply and on the clock, and in Floriday they can be found on the grower page. Supply is to follow. Buyers can include certificates in their selection/search criteria and thus find certified supply quickly and efficiently.
What are the requirements that an digital environmental registration and certification must meet? What is ‘market-compliant’?
The requirements have been laid down by the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative. Registration involves the uniform and digital documentation of any crop protection agents used, as well as information on fertilisers and associated water and energy consumption. These are things of which the law requires growers to keep a record already. Supplementary to this statutory requirement, the relevant information must now be documented digitally. In addition, a plan for Integrated Pest Management is being requested. Requirements set by the FSI for certification focus in particular on the way in which inspection takes place (audit and perhaps sampling).
Will sanctions be imposed if growers do not meet the mutually agreed upon requirements in time?
We would rather not to put enforcement measures in place, but being realistic, the market compels us to do so. During consultation sessions with members, it became apparent that it is important to maintain a clear position in order to encourage everyone to take action. There are several options for enforcement and the Sustainability Leading Team presented an initial proposal for conceptualisation to the Members' Council on 12 March 2020. The proposal is being increasingly concretised so that the Members' Council can assess it in September 2020.
Is it already possible to start registering digitally? Are there any other registration options?
With the new MPS ABC 3.0 scheme, MPS fully complies with the standards for environmental registration and environmental certification. Growers who want to get started straightaway can go to them. MPS has set a separate fee for the first year's registration for Dutch growers. In the second year, a total fee - the certification fee - will apply, which MPS has reduced for growers with a small cultivation area. The fees for growers abroad have yet to be set.
GlobalG.A.P is reviewing its 'Flowers and Ornamentals' scheme, so that they too will qualify as environmental certificate in 2021. They are working in conjunction with a number of tools suppliers, such as GreenlinQ, to create a digital environmental registration that is linked to their scheme during the course of this year.
In other countries, KFC and Florverde are also adapting their environmental registration to the stricter requirements. Growers certified under these schemes meet the standards set by FSI.
Will Royal FloraHolland help me get started with registration and certification?
Yes, this is an important condition set by the Members' Council. An onboarding programme with information sessions is being put together in conjunction with the Sustainability Leading Team.
See also question What is the status with regard to meeting the preconditions?
Are any further certification requirements planned after the mandatory environmental certification?
Mandatory digital environmental registration and certification is a first step in creating transparency in our marketplace w.r.t. sustainable production. Market demands go beyond this and many buyers demand several certificates. Ultimately, Royal FloraHolland envisages that all suppliers to the marketplace will also comply with the FSI social sustainability norms, and those relating to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
The obligation applies to all suppliers (members or non-members) to our marketplace. From 31 December 2020, every supplier must demonstrably carry a digital environmental registration through one of the market-based registration tools. By 31 December 2021 at the latest, every supplier must have a market-compliant environmental certificate.
What is the position of Veiling Rhein Maas regarding mandatory digital environmental registration and certification?
VRM underscores the importance of a demonstrably sustainable horticulture chain and warmly recommends the Royal FloraHolland obligations w.r.t. digital environmental registration and certification to RFH suppliers, as well as to Landgard suppliers. For the time being, registration and certification will be mandatory at VRM for Premium Quality products, edible plants, Fairtrade products and Deutsche Gärtnerware only. Producers trading such products through VRM will be obliged to start the digital environmental registration process by 31 December 2020, and to be in possession of environmental certification by 31 December 2021.
Will VRM enforce registration and certification for Royal FloraHolland members?
In September 2020, Royal FloraHolland will assess in conjunction with the Sustainability Leading Team whether the preconditions set by the Members' Council have been met and whether it is reasonable to stick to the starting dates for enforcement quoted above. VRM will await Royal FloraHolland's decision in this regard and will then adopt an appropriate position concerning enforcement at VRM.
