Royal FloraHolland (RFH) continues to work towards a fully certified supply chain. Certification is increasingly important to consumers, governments, and the media, as it shows that flowers and plants are grown responsibly. RFH therefore asks all growers to be open about their production methods through certification, which strengthens the reputation and future of the entire industry. At present, 75% of all flowers and plants sold through the RFH platform are certified, and this percentage is rising every week. About 300 small-scale growers have already joined the simplified certification scheme created for them.
In August, a group of members started an initiative to challenge the certification requirement. RFH understands the concerns of those involved and has spoken with the organizers, but no new arguments have emerged from these discussions. The organizers have also decided not to present their signatures for now. With certification deadlines approaching, RFH has stated clearly that the plan for full certification remains unchanged, while it continues dialogue with the initiative's promoters.
Eighteen months ago, RFH announced the decision on certification, following more than five years of discussions among members, the Members' Council, and RFH management. To make certification possible for all members, RFH introduced several measures: phased deadlines, a framework for small-scale growers, an exit scheme, cost support, and guidance for growers. At the same time, the public debate about sustainability in floriculture has grown stronger. Certification provides clear data to demonstrate growers' efforts and to correct inaccuracies in the media or public opinion. Many members already support certification, and a recent survey among members and suppliers who are not yet certified gave no reason to change course. The requirement is that all members and suppliers must be certified by 1 January 2026, except for growers in the Auction Focus membership, who have until 1 July 2027.
RFH acknowledges the concerns of some growers and continues to discuss the issue with them. Management has also reminded the promoters of the initiative that their actions could harm the cooperative's reputation and the interests of its members. RFH has noticed that some of the public statements about the initiative are based on incorrect information and has explained this directly to the organizers. It will continue to provide members and suppliers with correct and clear information, which is especially important as the certification deadlines approach.
Certification will be introduced in stages. From 1 January 2026, it will apply to all members and suppliers in the Direct Flex, Direct Focus, and Auction Flex membership groups. For those in Auction Focus, the effective date is 1 July 2027. A full overview of the sustainability regulations is available in the Sustainability Regulations 2025. RFH has also created a range of support measures to make certification accessible to everyone. These include the small-scale grower scheme, an exit scheme, enforcement rules, a €250 allowance for certain small-scale growers, and practical guidance through workshops and information documents.
The main goal of certification is to create transparency about sustainability. By collecting sustainability data from all growers, RFH and its members can show evidence of progress, answer questions from buyers, media, and society, and highlight the sector's achievements. Certification also helps individual growers improve their processes and gives buyers greater insight into the supply chain.
Certification is linked to the international standards set by the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI). FSI has created a benchmark known as the "Basket of Standards," which lists certificates that meet minimum requirements in areas such as environmental responsibility, good agricultural practices, and social issues. This benchmark provides one clear list of certificates that growers can use worldwide.
Certification is separate from government regulations, which continue to apply in different countries. These include rules on crop protection, which vary depending on crops, pests, and regional legislation. However, the principle is the same everywhere: products must be effective while also safe for people, animals, and the environment.
RFH also encourages organic cultivation. Certificates that comply with European organic legislation, such as the Skal organic certificate, are being added to the FSI Basket of Standards. Once this process is complete, growers with recognized organic certificates can continue trading on the RFH platform without restrictions.
RFH has been actively sharing information about certification for many years. It communicates through newsletters, websites, social media, press releases, and videos, and it regularly features growers who talk about their experiences, including the challenges they face. In this way, RFH remains transparent about both the progress and the concerns surrounding certification.
Source: www.floraldaily.com