Floratalk

The next step towards transparency on sustainability

For Royal FloraHolland (RFH), just as for its members and trading partners, our sector must demonstrate ever more clearly and transparently how flowers and plants have been grown by growers in a sustainable manner. That is why the RFH's approach remains to focus on certifying our members and growers in accordance with FSI requirements. This provides a basis for transparency and quality assurance within the floriculture supply chain, and thus for our collective reputation. Following feedback and concerns raised by some of our members who, despite previous concessions, additional support and extra measures, are unwilling or unable to participate, we have listened to their views; these have been translated into an alternative interim solution for this group in early 2026. Meanwhile, the proportion of certified turnover has risen further to just over 84 per cent (end of 2023: 72 per cent).

‍In brief

The RFH path remains focused on certification in accordance with FSI requirements.

Growers can make use of additional RFH support: a web tool is now available to simplify the GAP certification process, and members are already using it.

Trading parties are supported in sourcing goods in accordance with FSI requirements.

For growers who are unwilling or unable to follow the certification route, an alternative interim solution is available, involving adjusted levies and additional checks.

Transparency helps our image

Demand for transparency regarding the sustainability of flowers and plants is growing not only within the supply chain, but also from society and public authorities, both in the Netherlands and abroad. Many RFH members are actively committed to transparency in the context of sustainability; through certification and by taking additional sustainability measures within their own organisations, they demonstrate this commitment through their actions and behaviour. Transparency regarding sustainability through certification is important for our sector's image: this enables RFH, on behalf of all its members, to demonstrate the steps our members are taking, such as the sharp decline in the use of plant protection products over the past 10 years. Certification therefore serves, on the one hand, as a response to the need expressed by many members, retailers and other buyers to commit to transparency on sustainability. It also provides a well-founded and collective response to the growing pressure for transparency from the media, society and consumers. In this way, we can work together to safeguard and protect our image.

Web tool and residue monitoring

In early 2024, RFH announced the certification timelines for growers. In the meantime, we have held numerous discussions to understand the concerns and issues raised by some of our members and to address them where possible. In response, RFH has taken further steps to accommodate this group, including through the retirement scheme and the small-scale grower scheme. A web tool was announced in March 2026 and has since been launched. This is specifically intended for certain groups of growers who require support with the administrative process for GAP certification. Members are already making use of this. In addition, further sessions have been organised with groups of growers to support their certification.

The alternative interim solution announced by RFH in early 2026 has also come into effect: growers who are unable or unwilling to participate in the certification scheme will be subject to adjusted levies and additional checks. For all non-members and members on the Direct Flex, Direct Focus and Auction Flex membership packages, who should have been certified in accordance with the FSI requirements by 1 January 2026, the monthly fee came into effect on 1 July 2026. This levy is used to cover the additional costs associated with residue monitoring, including the hiring of experts, additional administrative work, risk management, support and reputation management. For those who are not (fully) certified in accordance with FSI requirements, an additional, more rigorous compliance check applies: this includes unannounced residue tests to ensure transparency regarding the key risks associated with the correct use of plant protection products.

Furthermore, as previously announced, RFH is carrying out random residue tests on all members and non-members, whether certified or not. The reason for this is the importance of our sector's collective reputation and the need to gain a better and broader understanding of the use of plant protection products.

What percentage of turnover is certified?

In recent years, RFH has seen an increase in the proportion of turnover that is certified: by the end of 2023, 72 percent of turnover on the RFH platform was certified; by mid-July 2026, the figure stood at just over 84 percent. RFH is working hard to motivate and support the remaining group on their journey towards certification. Within our cooperative, there are significant differences between members and their needs, which also means there are both supporters and opponents of certification. We listen to members who are unwilling or unable to proceed with the certification process and seek solutions for them, just as we listen to members who, on the other hand, wish to fast-track their certification. Only by working together can we take a step forward towards transparency on sustainability.