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Onboarding Programme
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We want to help the members 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!
- 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
Why has Royal FloraHolland made environmental registration and certification a requirement when supplying to the Royal FloraHolland marketplace?
The market is increasingly demanding transparency regarding the production of flowers and plants, and the business operations of the suppliers. The requirements for this are laid down in certificates and by obtaining a certificate, the grower can reliably demonstrate that it has complied with the set requirements. This enables the buyer to fulfil his/her wish for targeted and efficient certified sustainable procurement.
We are also seeing that the government is pursuing an increasingly stricter policy on sustainability. We can stay ahead of new regulations better by proactively and jointly demonstrating that we are producing in an increasingly sustainable manner.
With the decision to enforce this requirement, we as a cooperative and a company are taking the initiative to make our efforts transparent in a verifiable manner. By doing so, we can jointly protect the reputation of our products, our sector and our common marketplace.
How did this decision come about?
The process to reach this decision has been carefully completed. After a period of intensive cooperation between the Sustainability Leading Team (consisting of growers) and the Sustainable Development Team of RFH and on the basis of member consultations in 2018 and 2019, a concrete approach was developed that leads to mandatory environmental registration and certification for all suppliers to the RFH 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 set preconditions still have to be met, but with the confidence that they will.
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 environmental registration and certification
Re 1. The process of informing and 'onboarding' started during the member consultation sessions in 2018 and 2019. This will be followed by a communication and activation campaign with meetings at various locations during the first quarter of 2020. We collaborate with the FPCs in order to reach as many growers as possible.
The meetings still to be organised are aimed at activating growers to start the digital registration process leading to an environmental certificate. They will receive information about the options available. After these activation sessions and depending on demand, extra sessions will be organised for growers who need help in making their choice of registration tool or certification and in practicing digital registration.
Re 2. With the new MPS ABC 3.0 scheme, MPS fully complies with the standards for environmental registration and environmental certification. Therefore, growers who want to get started can already register there. MPS has agreed to come up with a separate rate for the first year of registration in February 2020. The total fee - the certification rate - will be charged in the second year, with MPS lowering the prices for small growers. MPS defines 'small growers' as: up to 2 ha covered and up to 8 ha uncovered. For more information, growers can also contact MPS directly.
Re 3. We are working on creating an alternative registration tool to MPS, so that growers have a choice regarding environmental registration and environmental certification. Moreover, it is essential that the registration tool is congruent with the criteria and methodology of existing schemes such as GlobalG.A.P. This coordination is essential and discussions about this are currently being held with various organisations. We expect to have more clarity about this by late March 2020.
To whom does this obligation apply and from when?
This obligation applies to all suppliers (member or non-member) of our marketplace. From 31 December 2020, every supplier must demonstrably carry a digital environmental registration via one of the market-based registration tools. Furthermore, each supplier must have registered with one of the certifying organisations by this date. By 31 December 2021 at the latest, every supplier must have a market-compliant environmental certificate.
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 recorded in a transparent and reliable manner.
Digital and uniform registration is also important. There is a great need in the sector for reliable, secure data and information to meet future developments such as footprints and environmental impact indicators. These developments also help us to 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 must be demonstrated by means of a certificate. Currently, roughly 60% of our members are not yet certified. This is often the case because their customers do not or do not consistently ask for it, and because they believe that obtaining a certificate is too complex and/or too expensive. Ultimately, everyone will have to comply with the set obligation.
How can I make my certification known?
In our marketplace, it is possible for growers to show how sustainable their production is by providing certificates, among other things. Buyers can include certificates in their selection/search criteria and thus find certified offers quickly and efficiently.
What are the requirements that an environmental registration and certification must meet? What is ‘market-compliant’?
For the requirements we follow those of the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative. The registration involves the standardised and digital recording of the crop protection products and fertilisers used on a daily basis, as well as water and energy consumption on a monthly basis. These are things the law requires you to keep a record of already. This statutory requirement now also requires you to register this information digitally. In addition, a plan for Integrated Pest Management is requested. Requirements are set for certification, in particular regarding the way in which inspection (audit and possible sampling) of the registration takes place.
Will sanctions be imposed if growers do not meet the mutually agreed upon requirements in time?
We would prefer not to force anyone, but to be honest, the market is forcing us. During consultation sessions with members, however, it was indicated that it is important to maintain a clear position in order to encourage everyone to take action. Enforcement can be imposed in various ways, and the Sustainability Leading Team is currently working on a proposal to be submitted to the Members' Council.
Is it already possible to start registering digitally? Are there any other registration options?
We are working on an alternative registration tool, where it is essential that the registration tool is congruent with the criteria and methodology of existing schemes such as GlobalG.A.P. Discussions are currently taking place with various organisations. We expect to have more clarity about this by late March 2020.
Will Royal FloraHolland help me get started with registration and certification?
Yes, this is an important condition that has been set by the Members' Council. Together with the Leading Team we will set up an 'onboarding' programme with information sessions. The approach here is to help the members as much as possible to get them on board. More information about the content of this programme will follow.
What does this gradual introduction look like? Will an MPS GAP/GlobalG.A.P. certificate be required by 31/12/2021?
The mandatory environmental certificate is being introduced in three steps:
|
|
Steps |
Date |
Explanation |
|
1 |
Digital environmental registration* for all suppliers |
No later than 31 December 2020 |
* This means:
MPS registration tool linked to MPS ABC scheme is currently satisfactory. We are working on an alternative tool. |
|
2 |
Environmental certificate** for all suppliers |
No later than 31 December 2021 |
**Currently MPS, ABC, KFC (Kenia only) and Florverde (Colombia only) comply with this. We are working on an alternative in this area as well. |
|
3
|
Compliance with the FSI sustainability standards |
No date has been set yet. |
Compliance with FSI sustainability standards, not only in environmental terms, but also in terms of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and, for high-risk countries, in social terms. |
