Committed to sustainability

Sustainable Certificates and Labels

At Heemskerk Flowers, we value sustainability and quality in the horticulture industry. Discover the key certificates and quality marks that ensure responsible production practices, safeguard environmental standards, and promote sustainable growth across the sector.

We’ve compiled this information to help you better understand the importance of these certifications. Explore the various certificates that highlight transparency, environmental care, and social responsibility.

Nature-Driven Flower and Plant Growing

Organic Certification

Organic-certified flowers and plants grow in harmony with natural processes. Growers use:

Natural fertilizers like compost and manure
Crop rotation to maintain healthy soil
Mechanical weed removal instead of chemical treatments

The European SKAL certification ensures compliance with organic standards, banning the use of:

Chemical pesticides
Genetic modification
Artificial fertilizers

You can verify organic-certified nurseries via the SKAL website (www.skal.nl).

Organic Plants

Kenya Flower Council Certification

KFC Gold/Silver

The Kenya Flower Council (KFC) is a voluntary organization that safeguards social and environmental conditions for growers and exporters of cut flowers and ornamental plants.

Key Focus Areas:

Prevention of forced and child labor
Fair wages, health, and safety standards
Discrimination-free workplaces
Traceability, environmental care, and hygiene

Gold is the highest level of certification for social responsibility.

KFC certified Flowers

Social and Environmental Standards in Ethiopia

EHPEA Certification

The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) monitors growers' compliance with social and environmental sustainability standards. Established in 2002, this label guarantees ethical and responsible practices.

Focus Areas:

Prevention of forced and child labor
Worker safety, health, and fair wages
Environmental care, traceability, and hygiene

The EHPEA certification has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. At Heemskerk Flowers, you’ll find Gold and Silver-certified products available in our web shop, accessible via our sustainability filter.

EHPEA certified Flowers

Monitoring Environmental Sustainability

MPS-ABC

MPS-ABC is more than a certificate; it is a sustainability monitoring tool for nurseries. By tracking their consumption of fertilizers, energy, fuel, water, and lighting, nurseries can optimize operations to reduce their environmental impact.

MPS A+: The highest achievable level, requiring minimal use of crop protection products, energy, and fertilizers.
Benefits: Data-driven resource management, improved environmental responsibility, and enhanced operational sustainability.

MPS Certified Flowers MPS Certificied Plants

On the Way to a Sustainable Future

PlanetProof

PlanetProof Flowers PlanetProof Plants

The PlanetProof certification promotes a holistic approach to sustainability in the horticulture sector. This label covers essential environmental aspects, including:

Climate and energy management
Biodiversity and landscape protection
Sustainable crop protection and soil health
Optimized use of water, fertilizers, and packaging
Reduction of waste

You can check PlanetProof-certified nurseries through the PlanetProof website (www.planetproof.eu).

Discover more about sustainability at Heemskerk Flowers

At Heemskerk Flowers, sustainability is at the core of what we do. Learn more about our certified products and the steps we take to ensure quality, sustainability, and social responsibility.