The farmers, distributors, wholesalers and florists who grow and handle VeriFlora flowers and plants are committed to delivering only the highest quality products, produced with rigorous environmental accountability while at the same time addressing the health and well-being of workers, their families and communities.

Certification is conducted by SCS, a recognized neutral third party with no vested interest in the companies or products it evaluates or certifies. This independence is vital to ensure that the certification standards are enforced fully and fairly. The certification process involves detailed on-site inspections, document audits, in-depth interviews, and annual follow-up.

The VeriFlora program establishes criteria in the following key areas:

1. Environmental Sustainability

• Sustainable Crop Production

  Controlling pests and diseases with the least environmental impact; building soil fertility and health to support the ecosystem, prevent erosion, and capture and store carbon from the atmosphere; phasing in organic practices over time.

• Resource Conservation and Energy Efficiency

  Conserving precious natural resources through careful water use and quality control practices, energy saving initiatives, greenhouse gas reduction efforts, and product packaging minimization.

• Ecosystem Protection

  Protecting wildlife and habitat in and around the farm, including streams, rivers, riparian and wetlands habitats, habitats and species with recognized high ecological value, and other biologically and culturally significant areas.

• Integrated Waste Management

  Providing safe storage and proper handling and disposal of farm chemicals, and encouraging composting or recycling of agricultural and non-agricultural wastes.

• Fair Labor Practices

  Ensuring a safe, equitable and healthy work environment, guaranteeing the right to organize, and providing access to key services as needed.

• Community Benefits

  Supporting local communities through preferential purchasing, hiring, infrastructure improvements, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Product Quality

  Implementing quality assurance and product tracking procedures to ensure that sustainably grown products are properly handled from the time they leave the farm until they reach the consumer, for maximum freshness and longevity.

• Product Safety

  Undertaking measures to assure product safety at each stage of product handling.