Working towards 100% certification

Our sector is expected to be future-proof. Digitisation and sustainability are important components of this. Significant steps are currently being taken in the field of certification. Certification data is necessary to make the steps taken by growers transparent to society and the media. This allows us to show the positive steps our sector is already taking. Frits Jonk, Programme Manager Sustainability, emphasises: ‘Certification is an essential step for the future of our sector. It ensures transparency and thus contributes positively to the image of the floriculture sector.’ That is why Royal FloraHolland and the FSI accelerator group have agreed that from 2027 onwards, only certified floriculture products will be offered and purchased. This is also in line with the needs of the floricultural sustainability accelerators. To achieve this, it has been agreed that there will be a phased approach towards 100% certification in accordance with FSI requirements.
 

Current status
Three-quarters of Royal FloraHolland's product revenues already meets the certification requirements. The remaining growers (with a Direct, Direct Focus and Auction Flex package) have until 1 January 2026 to obtain all the necessary certificates, namely a GAP Certificate, Environmental Certificate and, in some cases, a Social Certificate, so that they too can meet the FSI requirements.

Members with the Auction Focus package have until 2027. Small-scale growers (with floriculture turnover below £200,000) can make use of the adapted small-scale grower scheme. Royal FloraHolland can also support them. From the moment the small-scale grower scheme becomes available, expected to be in the second quarter of this year, these growers will have two years to meet the certification requirements.

Next steps. 

We are on the right track, but we are not there yet. Transparency contributes to a positive image of the floriculture sector, both nationally and internationally, now and in the future. As soon as the small-scale grower scheme is available, we will inform our members and suppliers and share a step-by-step plan. We also have insight into which companies do not yet (fully) meet the certification requirements. We will contact them personally shortly. Have you not yet started and would you like to know what steps you need to take? Then take a look here.