Public Consultation
Shape the HORTICERT Certification System Through Your Feedback
Newly developed system documents or fundamental changes will be published for public consultation.
HORTICERT was developed through a multi-stakeholder process involving international associations, corporations, research institutions, and NGOs from around the world. By engaging a diverse group of stakeholders, the certification system has successfully addressed various interests and concerns. This approach served to obtain high standards of social, ecological, and economic sustainability as well as a practical, scientifically sound and credible certification system for the supply chains of different peat substitutes.
By representing a dynamic system, HORTICERT aims to adapt to the evolving demands and challenges of the horticultural industry. Ongoing stakeholder participation therefore remains essential for the continued improvement of HORTICERT. To support this continuous development, HORTICERT encourages System Users, Certification Bodies, and other interested parties to provide feedback on the documents provided below. This feedback will help to incorporate practical experiences and best practices, ensuring the system remains comprehensive and effective.
Documents in the Public Consultation
The first round of public consultation was concluded on October 28, 2024. The HORTICERT team is currently refining the HORTICERT System Documents based on the feedback received. Once revisions are complete, there will be a second round of public consultation, which will include German versions of all documents.
Public Consultation Procedure
Publication of Documents for Public Consultation
HORTICERT publishes fundamentally changed or new documents for the public consultation. Please note that all published documents are draft documents. In addition, finalized versions of the document might be subject to further adjustment.
Communication of Publication
HORTICERT invites all interested parties to send their feedback regarding the documents. HORTICERT will announce documents that are in the public consultation via HORTICERT’s communication channels in order to ensure adequate balance of various stakeholder groups.
Collection of Feedback – Phase I
The first round of public consultation will last 60 calendar days from the date of the publishing.
Collection of Feedback – Phase II
As a new certification standard, HORTICERT will carry out a second round of public consultation that lasts 30 calendar days. This phase provides stakeholders with the opportunity to review how their initial feedback was interpreted and addressed, and to contribute additional insights on any outstanding or unresolved issues. In case of necessity of another round, HORTICERT will make the synopsis of the previous round publicly available to comment on it.
Collection of Feedback – Phase III
After the final round of public consultation, HORTICERT will analyse and consider the feedback received before publishing the final version of the document. All feedback is handled impartially.
Publication of Final Document
HORTICERT will announce the date from which on the document will be valid and allow an appropriate transitional period for all stakeholders to adapt to the adjustments or changes.
Documents recently in Public Consultation
System Document – 01 System Basics
The document 01 System Basics lays down the System Basics for the HORTICERT Certification System that was designed for the certification of sustainable peat substitutes. This module serves as a starting point for System Users, Certification Bodies and other third parties to understand the basics of the Certification System HORTICERT.
The document was subject to Public Consultation until October 28, 2024.
System Document – 02 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The document 02 Greenhouse Gas Emissions lays down all information regarding the GHG calculation. It provides insights on the different options for providing GHG information, the requirements for calculating individual GHG emissions, and how the GHG Saving Potential for Growing Media Producers can be determined. It will be primarily relevant for System Users and Certification Bodies.
The document was subject to Public Consultation until October 28, 2024.
System Document – 03 Group Certification
The document 03 Group Certification lays down all information about group certifications within the HORTICERT certification system. Group certification is, for example, applicable for farms producing the raw material for peat substitutes, growing media products and for Intermediate Service Providers (ISP) processing the raw materials.
The document was subject to Public Consultation until October 28, 2024.