Digital environmental registration and certification remains a priority for our marketplace
Royal FloraHolland views sustainable entrepreneurship as an opportunity and a responsibility to improve the sector. Together with growers, buyers and chain partners, the cooperative is actively working on this. Since March of this year, the corona crisis has had the floriculture industry in its clutches. Many companies in the sector have been very hard hit. Everyone is working hard to make his or her company financially viable again. This demands a lot of attention from everyone. Nevertheless, it is important to pay attention to sustainability. In view of creating a futureproof marketplace, Royal FloraHolland will continue to prioritise digital environmental registration and certification.
Together towards Futureproof Horticulture
In November 2019, the Management Board, following advice from the Members' Council, decided to go ahead with the step-by-step introduction of mandatory digital environmental registration and environmental certification in the marketplace. CEO Steven van Schilfgaarde explains: "If we're going to come out of this corona crisis on top, it's important that we are futureproof. Sustainable, transparent business practices through digital environmental registration and certification will contribute to this. It offers opportunity to differentiate yourself and promotes the international competitiveness. Right now, that's more important than ever. Together, we face the task of maintaining the strength of our marketplace and industry into the future. For this reason, we will uphold the management decision and take into full account the preconditions on which the Members' Council agreed."
All suppliers (cooperative members and non-members) will be required by Royal FloraHolland to have a digital environmental registration by 31 December 2020 at the latest and an environmental certification in line with the market by 31 December 2021 at the latest. 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).
Preconditions
Much has been done in recent months to meet the preconditions as advised by the Members' Council. MPS, for instance, now charges a separate rate for the first year of registration and decreased fees for certification. Several parties are also working on an alternative to MPS. 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 every country. In addition, Royal FloraHolland will organise (online) sessions to inform suppliers about the various registration and certification options, and to help them through the process. The cooperative will invite all growers to participate in these sessions in due course.
Royal FloraHolland is also working in conjunction with the Sustainability Leading Team on the details of policy for enforcement and sanctioning. In September 2020, they will determine whether it is deemed reasonable to stick to the starting dates for enforcement. At the beginning of October, the Members' Council will issue a recommendation to the Management Board concerning the enforcement policy and its implementation. The Management Board is expected to take a final decision based on the Council's recommendation in mid-October.
More information
You will find more information about the progress being made relevant to fulfilling the preconditions, as well as other FAQs, on the environmental registration and certification page.
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