Demonstrate leadership in environmental protection, social responsibility, and quality performance. Veriflora® Sustainably Grown certification provides cut flower and potted plant producers from all over the world with a detailed roadmap to satisfy the emerging market for sustainable products.
Uniquely position your product with the “gold” standard in sustainability certification for ornamental horticulture. Third-party certification assures buyers and consumers that cut flowers and potted plants have been produced in an environmentally and socially responsible way, with practices that achieve the highest level of product quality.
Healthy, safe and fair working conditions, protection of soil and water resources, responsible agrochemical use, energy efficiency, climate impact reduction, ecosystem protection, product quality, community engagement, and much more.
The certification program currently requires conformance with the Veriflora® Sustainably Grown Standard V3.1, which provides a comprehensive framework and common set of requirements grouped into three categories – Environmental Sustainability, Social & Economic Sustainability, and Product Integrity. Ornamental horticulture products of all types and production systems of all sizes are eligible. Our global network of auditors can complete assessments anywhere in the world.
The certification process involves the following steps. For a detailed description please review the Veriflora® Sustainably Grown Certification Manual
Apply for certification
Fill out the SCS application form and sign the SCS Professional Services Agreement.
Approve the work order
SCS generates a work order describing the audit scope and costs. Your signature on the work order indicates your approval and sets the audit process in motion.
Complete a self-assessment
You complete a Self-Assessment Checklist to help identify gaps in conformance and prepare you for the audit.
Evaluation Audit
The SCS auditor conducts an onsite audit, which includes an opening meeting, physical inspection of the site, review of documents and records, interviews with personnel, and a closing meeting
Audit Report Completed
SCS reviews and finalizes the audit report and delivers the report to you within approximately 20 business days of the closing meeting.
Corrective Action Plan
If any nonconformities are noted, you prepare a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) describing corrective and preventive actions and providing evidence of implementation.
Certification Decision
All nonconformities must be closed before certification can be approved. If certification is achieved, you are issued a formal certificate, along with the SCS Kingfisher certification mark and logo use guidelines.
Maintaining Certification
Annual audits are required to maintain certification
Veriflora® Preferred Retailers complete the sustainable value chain that starts with certified Veriflora® Sustainably Grown ornamental horticulture products. The program is uniquely suited to the sustainability objectives of retail chain floral departments, garden centers, and other multi-store retailers.
For the locations of current Veriflora® Preferred Retailers please visit the Veriflora® Preferred Retailer map
Producers of certified Veriflora® Sustainably Grown plants rely on input materials that support sustainability objectives. The Veriflora® Approved Input Materials program helps drive sustainability at each stage of production and handling. Producers and manufacturers of input materials abide by specific sustainability criteria designed for their industries.
Input materials, such as soil amendments, plant media, pest control materials and plant containers, are reviewed to ensure they meet one or more of the following conditions:
SCS offers complimentary certification and verification services for products that do not meet the above requirements, including Certified Recycled Content, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Certified Biodegradable, Pesticide Residue Free, and more.
510.452.6823 
Veriflora® Sustainably Grown Point-of-Sale Card
510.452.6823