Certification as a small-scale grower. How does it work?

Last year, the small-scale grower scheme was developed: Companies can comply with this scheme using MPS-Compact or FloriCompact (Agraya). If you use one of these schemes, you will immediately be certified according to the FSI requirements.

Steeds meer kleinschalige kwekers hebben zich al gemeld bij FSI en hebben bericht ontvangen dat ze gebruik kunnen maken van het kleinschalige kwekerschema.  

The next step is to register with the certifying body.

• For MPS-compact, register with MPS
• If you opt for Floricompact, register with a recognised registration tool (such as GreenLinQ Data) and register with an audit organisation such as SGS or Control Union.

Op de VBN-site staat een checklist en meerdere hulpdocumenten die je kunt gebruiken in de voorbereiding naar de audit. De documenten helpen je stap voor stap door het proces. De gemiddelde totale tijdsinvestering is 8 tot 10 uur per jaar. 

The VBN website contains a checklist and several support documents that you can use to prepare for the audit. The documents guide you through the process step by step. The average total time investment is 8 to 10 hours per year.

Why is certification important?

• Need for sustainability: Further sustainability in floriculture is necessary to keep the world liveable for future generations, with growers taking enormous steps in areas such as energy use, water, crop protection, packaging and labour.
• Transparency: Working in phases towards 100% certification in accordance with FSI requirements is an important step in achieving transparency about sustainability based on responsible cultivation of flowers and plants. Standing strong together as a cooperative, also in the field of sustainability.
• Image: necessary for substantiating and maintaining the licence to produce: transparency contributes to a positive image of the floriculture sector, both nationally and internationally, now and in the future. Certification data is necessary to make the steps taken by growers transparent to society and the media. Separating fact from fiction is only possible with substantiation.
• Stricter requirements from buyers/trade: stricter delivery conditions in the field of sustainability, from buyers of flowers and plants, including large retailers such as supermarkets, supply chains of garden centres, florists and DIY stores.
• Increasing political and social pressure: society, consumers and politicians are demanding greater transparency. In the Netherlands, for example, many local authorities no longer offer bouquets of flowers for environmental reasons.

The VBN website contains a checklist and several supporting documents that you can use to prepare for the audit. The documents guide you through the process step by step. The average total time investment is 8 to 10 hours per year.

Do you have any questions or need help?

Visit our website for more information about sustainability certification, or use the step-by-step plan. You can also contact the KCC or your account manager. Or send an email to sustainability@royalfloraholland.com.