Working healthy and safely
A certificate that allows you to demonstrate that your products are cultivated under good working conditions. MPS-SQ includes requirements on health, safety and terms of employment, and is based on universal human rights, the codes of conduct of local representative organisations, and International Labour Organization (ILO) agreements. The Dutch Flower Consultation NBB (represented by FNV Bondgenoten, Both Ends and the Latin American Activities Organisation OLAA) has been closely involved in incorporating these international codes of conduct (ICC) within MPS.
Representatives of unions or human rights organisations are present as observers at the social certification audits on the production companies, to guarantee the legitimacy of the social standard to which their names are linked.
Why choose MPS-SQ?
Consumers are becoming ever more critical when it comes to cultivation methods and the origins of the products that they purchase. This is why, in addition to the environment, international supermarket chains are increasingly focusing on social aspects too. As a result, the demand for products grown under good, healthy and safe working conditions is increasing. The British retail channel will be making GAP and social requirements compulsory for their suppliers as of 2006. Other countries are expected to follow suit. Another example is the international consumer label Fair Flowers Fair Plants (FFP), qualification for which requires MPS-A and MPS-SQ or similar seals of approval. Furthermore, MPS-SQ is almost identical to ETI, another commonly required label.
The advantages summurized:
- Meet the requirements of the retailchannel in relation to social responsible products;
- MPS-SQ + MPS-A are basic requirements for Fair Flowers Fair Plants (FFP);
- To respond to public demand for social responsible products;
- Easy step to ETI;
- Improve image of horticultural sector.
How do I implement MPS-SQ?
To qualify for MPS-SQ you will undergo an audit, during which a number of documents must be made available. These include:
- a list of trained workplace safety officers and workplace first-aid staff and certificates;
- a report and action plan on risk identification and evaluation;
- a maintenance form for crop protection equipment;
- a list of staff members who hold valid spraying licences and copies of those licences;
- MPS registration and an up-to-date stock list of crop protection agents and fertilisers;
- job descriptions for all staff members.
Documents available for downloading
During the certification process, a number of documents are important. You will start with filling in the Application form. In the certification scheme you can find the requirements. The other documents also give important information about the certification process of MPS-Socially Qualified.
Click here for the List of certified companies MPS-SQ (PDF)