Certification Process
If a potential system user wants to be certified, they go through the following process:
Selection and Registration
Select a Certification Body recognized by HORTICERT and conclude a Certification Agreement.
Register for the Client Section, complete and sign the Registration Form and submit it both to the Certification Body and HORTICERT. Upon receipt, HORTICERT assigns an individual Registration Number.
Preparation for the Audit
The System User and Certification Body agree on an audit date and prepare the required documents. Relevant checklists and guidance documents are available in the Client Section.
The Certification Body communicates the agreed audit date to HORTICERT. Both parties must ensure that all applicable HORTICERT requirements and System Documents are taken into account.
Audit and Corrective Measures
An independent and qualified auditor of the Certification Body verifies the System User’s conformity with the HORTICERT requirements.
Any identified non-conformities must be addressed within the applicable timeframe. The corrective measures are documented in the audit report, which is reviewed by the Certification Body and then sent to the System User for signature.
Approval and Certificate Issuance
The Certification Body submits the audit report to HORTICERT for final approval. In case of missing or incorrect information, HORTICERT requests the necessary corrections from the Certification Body.
Once all documents have been approved, the Certification Body issues the final audit report and certificate within 60 days after the audit. HORTICERT then publishes the certificate in its public Certificate and License Database.
Recertification
HORTICERT Certificates are valid for twelve months. The System User and the Certification Body must schedule the Recertification Audit early enough to ensure that the new certificate can be issued before the current certificate expires.
Sufficient time must be allowed for audit reporting and the correction of potential non-conformities to avoid any interruption in Certification status.
YOUR GUIDE TO CERTIFICATION
HORTICERT offers a comprehensive step-by-step guide for the entire certification journey. From the initial preparation and registration steps to on-site audits, certification decisions, as well as continuous improvement, and recertification: every stage is explained in detail to ensure a smooth and transparent process.
Gradual Path to Certification
Continous Improvement Approach
At HORTICERT, continuous improvement is at the core of our sustainability certification process. We recognize that immediate compliance with all sustainability criteria may not be feasible for all System Users, so we encourage progressive adaptation and advancement toward full compliance over time.
To facilitate a progressive enhancement in the HORTICERT certification system, we categorize our sustainability indicators into three types:
- Immediate Indicators: These must be met at the initial stage as a prerequisite for certification. They include fundamental criteria that verify basic ecological, social, and economic sustainability, which are practical and achievable in the short term. Compliance with Immediate Indicators enables initial certification; however, continued eligibility requires a detailed Sustainability Improvement Plan that outlines specific actions and timelines for achieving the Development Indicators.
- Development Indicators: These indicators are essential but more complex, demanding a longer timeframe to achieve. System Users are expected to comply with at least 50% of these within the first two years and fully within four years of certification. This gradual approach supports System Users in making substantial progress without imposing an overwhelming burden, while still maintaining robust sustainability standards. Non-compliance after the agreed timeframe results in certification withdrawal.
- Best Practice Indicators: Optional and aspirational, these indicators set a benchmark for exceptional sustainability efforts. Meeting these standards showcases a System User’s commitment to leadership in sustainable practices and prepares them for potential future certification updates.
Further details on the sustainability indicators can be found in the corresponding Audit Checklist, which is available to registered System Users.