The world has been waking up to the importance of all industries being responsible for their long term social and environmental impacts. Today there are a dozen or more standards organizations focusing on the flower industry. In Europe, certified flowers have become the norm not the exception. In North America, we are very far from this point.

Though there is little American consumer appetite for certified flowers there are a number of great organizations who have done a lot of work in the production areas of south and central America bringing environmental and social standards to countries that are the largest suppliers to North America.

Sierra Eco

Sierra selected the following standards organizations to support through our Sierra Eco program. Each of our current “Sierra Eco-Partner” farms hold these certifications but in addition, they are regularly authenticated by Sierra Eco; requiring up-to-date certificates and audits and also monitored with strict “Sierra Quality” guidelines.

By searching out Farms with the Sierra Eco Label, you’re assured that not only are these farms certified under one of the below programs, but that the products they offer are also of the utmost quality. Other farms will appear on this directory to promote their certifications and though they may not be monitored under the Sierra Eco program, we trust that they adhere to the label certifications they lay claim to.

We strongly encourage them to flourish and expand in this new model of sustainability, whether they are partnered with us or not. None of these standards are perfect. They each represent an honest effort to improve the working conditions of employees at the farms while paying attention to environmental impacts. Each of these labels includes independent auditors that ensure compliance to the standards. Though other farms may offer certified flowers under other programs, we only monitor our partners.

Standards

Veriflora

Veriflora was founded by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) from California in 2005. It is a world wide standard applicable as much to developed countries as underdeveloped countries and involves all industry handlers as well as producers.

• Veriflora is the first and only certification program developed specifically for cut flowers in North America.
• Veriflora offers certification for all members of the supply chain: growers, handlers, and retailers.
• Veriflora includes cold chain management protocols that promote flower quality and longevity.
• Veriflora has the most stringent protocols for agrochemical use among all sustainable flower label programs. Growers must eliminate the use of:
• Agrochemicals classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as 1a (“extremely hazardous” or 1b (“highly hazardous”).
• Agrochemicals with comparable toxicity to WHO Class 1a or 1b (based on risk to human health).
• Veriflora requires growers to develop a plan for transitioning to organic farming practices over time. This is the only sustainable flower label program that includes this requirement.
• Veriflora engages in Fair Labor Practices that ensure a safe, equitable and healthy work environment.

To know more visit www.veriflora.com

Fair Trade

Though its roots began in Europe in the 1960’s, this organization has been promoting business social responsibility since the 1990’s under the Fair Trade Label and is mostly known in North America for its work with coffee producers. Its certifying organization Flo-Cert sets standards for some 15 categories of products from banana’s to soccer balls.

It’s a great story of grass roots organizations building the infrastructure for a world wide program. Fair Trade Certified flowers are largely produced in Kenya and Ecuador.

To know more visit www.fairtrade.net

FlorVerde

Begun in 1996 by the Colombian growers association Asocolflores, they were originally a best practices initiative to help Colombian growers improve their agricultural and social practices. Over the years the best practices evolved into social and environmental standards that became independently audited by 2005.

Colombia remains the principal flower supplier to North America supplying more than half of all the flowers consumed.

To know more visit www.florverde.org

Rainforest Alliance

Founded in 1986, this organization began it’s activism with a focus on forest products. They have seen expanded their certification programs to bananas, coffee, tea, cocoa, oranges, ferns, cut flowers and Eco tourism projects.

They are very active in central and south America but have certified projects worldwide.

To know more visit www.rainforest-alliance.org