HORTICERT Licensing Scheme
HORTICERT operates a licensing scheme, which includes the licensing of the HORTICERT logos and claims. This page summarises who can be licensed to use the logos and claims, what conditions and fees apply, and how the licensing process works.
Licensing scheme at a glance
Key Facts
- The HORTICERT licensing scheme applies for brand owners and retailers that want to use the HORTICERT logos and claims to promote HORTICERT.
- Licensing is required when a company intends to actively promote HORTICERT-certified products, either at the point of sale or through a marketing campaign.
- All issued licenses are presented on the HORTICERT website in the publicly available HORTICERT Certificate and License Database.
- More information about the HORTICER Licensing Scheme can be found in the HORTICERT System Document 01 “System Basics” (Chapter 8 and 9).
- To apply for a license, please submit your application via the form provided at the end of this page.
Who Can Get Licensed?
The HORTICERT licensing scheme allows companies at the end of the supply chain – who do not produce the growing medium themselves but source it externally – to communicate and promote HORTICERT-certified finished goods. Eligible license holders receive certified material from a HORTICERT-certified entity but do not further process it themselves.
The HORTICERT licensing scheme can be applied by brand owners and retailers that specifically want to promote HORTICERT at the point of sale or in a marketing campaign. Retailers do not require a license if they are only selling HORTICERT-certified products that are already properly labeled by a certified brand owner.
By obtaining a license, companies gain the right to actively communicate the use of HORTICERT-certified substrates through our HORTICERT logos and claims – both on-product and off-product.
When is Licensing Required?
Retailers, who wish to use HORTICERT logos or claims to actively promote their own business or brand, are required to obtain a license. Retailers do not need a license if they only sell HORTICERT-certified products, even when these products display the HORTICERT on-product logo or claim.
As a brand owner, you have the option to either become HORTICERT-certified or licensed. This depends on your position within the supply chain and whether you plan to further process already HORTICERT-certified material.
Licensing is required when a company wants to market HORTICERT-certified finished (packaged) goods. Using the logos and claims for distributing unpackaged goods cannot be licensed, as the material can still be altered. In such cases, the company must undergo additional certification and verification processes.
What Does a HORTICERT License Cost?
For each individual agreement, an annual license fee is charged. The HORTICERT licensing fee is based on the sold quantity of certified material in the contractual territory. An overview of the HORTICERT license fees is provided in the attached PDF below. In case of uncertainty, please contact us by using this contact form.
Ensuring Traceability with HORTI-TRACE
All license holders must ensure that their suppliers hold a valid HORTICERT certificate when supplying HORTICERT-certified products. As a licensee, you are required to record incoming (supplied) and outgoing (sold) quantities of HORTICERT-certified final products in HORTI-TRACE. Recording this information in HORTI-TRACE also simplifies the annual reporting of handled material volumes and potential audits under the HORTICERT integrity programme.
Coming soon: We will soon publish a HORTI-TRACE user guide to help you navigate our digital traceability system.
The Licensing Process at a Glance
Submit Your Application
Apply for the HORTICERT licensing scheme by filling out the license application form below.
Review by HORTICERT
HORTICERT will review your request and may contact you for additional information.
Sign the License Agreements
Once the two contractual documents (master agreement and individual agreement) are signed, congratulations – you are officially a HORTICERT licensee!
Get Published in the License Database
We will publish your licensed goods in our license database with the launch date(s) set in the license agreement(s).
Annual Reporting
As a licensee, you are required to report the incoming and outgoing volumes of HORTICERT-certified material annually. This report must be completed using the latest version of the HORTICERT reporting template (available upon request) and submitted via email (info@horticert.org) no later than 31 March of the following year. In the future, reporting will transition to the HORTI-TRACE platform.
How Do I Apply for a License?
If you wish to apply for a HORTICERT license, please provide us with the information below. Once we have received your application, we will internally review the request and reach out to you shortly.
The license application is non-binding and can be withdrawn at any time. Only the signed license agreement documents (master agreement and individual agreement) are legally binding and lead to a valid HORTICERT license. By obtaining a HORTICERT license, the licensee can use the HORTICERT logos and claims.