Working towards 100% FSI-compliant certification

Our industry is expected to be future proof. Digitalisation and sustainability are key aspects of this. Important steps are currently being taken in the area of certification. Certification makes it transparent how sustainable growers nurse the flowers and plants. This allows us to show what progress our sector is already making. Frits Jonk, Programme Manager for Sustainability, stresses: “Certification is an essential step for the future of our industry. It ensures transparency and makes a positive contribution to the image of the floriculture sector.” This is why Royal FloraHolland and the FSI (Floriculture Sustainability Initiative) accelerator group have agreed that, starting in 2027, only certified floriculture products will be made available for purchase. This also fits with the demands from accelerator groups for sustainable floriculture. It has been agreed this should be achieved by working towards 100% sustainability certification (FSI-compliant) in stages.

Current state of play.

Currently, three-quarters of Royal FloraHolland's revenue already meets certification requirements. The remaining growers (with Direct, Direct Focus or Auction Flex membership packages) have until 01/01/2026 to obtain all the necessary certification, namely a GAP Certificate, an Environmental Certificate and, in some cases, a Social Certificate, so that they too meet FSI requirements.

Members with the Auction Focus package have until 2027. Small-scale growers (with floriculture turnover below €250,000) can use the modified small-scale grower scheme. Royal FloraHolland can also give them support. From the moment the small-scale grower scheme becomes available, expected in Q2 this year, these growers will have two years to meet certification requirements.

Next steps.

We are on the right track, but not there yet. Certification is an essential step for the future of sustainability in our industry. It ensures transparency and so makes a positive contribution to the image of the floriculture sector. Once the small-scale grower scheme is available, we will inform our members and suppliers and share a roadmap. We also know which companies do not yet (fully) comply with certification requirements. We will approach these individually soon. If you haven't started yet and would like to know what steps to take, then take a look here.