The certification program currently requires conformance with the Veriflora® Sustainably Grown Standard, 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

Certification Process

1. Apply for certification
   Fill out the SCS application form and sign the SCS Professional Services Agreement.

2. 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.

3. Complete a self-assessment
   You complete a Self-Assessment Checklist to help identify gaps in conformance and prepare you for the audit.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Maintaining Certification
   Annual audits are required to maintain certification

• Verify your sustainability claims and strengthen your brand in the marketplace.
• Access top retailers that recognize Veriflora® Sustainably Grown as part of their sustainability objectives.
• Communicate your commitment to sustainability directly on your product with the SCS Kingfisher certification mark, representing one of the world’s most robust sustainability standards.
• Receive credit for your efforts to protect the environment through resource conservation, ecosystem protection, increased energy and water efficiency, waste management, and more.
• Ensure a safe, healthy work environment for your labor force and the surrounding community.
• Gain additional insights into ways to create a baseline for your sustainable practices in order to improve your operation over time.
• Profit from quality management improvements that allow consumers to enjoy flowers and plants that look beautiful and last longer.

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.

Benefits of Becoming a Veriflora® Preferred Retailer:

• Build customer loyalty by communicating your shared values of environmental stewardship, social responsibility and quality.
• Differentiate your floral departments and garden center stores through sustainable offerings.
• Receive training about sustainable production practices to help answer customers’ questions and inform sustainability objectives.
• Receive direct merchandising collateral to raise the profile of sustainable offerings.
• Reinforce your suppliers’ proven commitment to meet rigorous sustainability standards.

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:

• Directly addressed within the Veriflora® Sustainably Grown Standard
• Supported by a recognized third-party organization (e.g., OMRI)
• EPA registered or equivalent

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.