MPS started in 1993 as a regional project in the Westland. Various pilot groups made up of growers, educators and researchers laid the foundations for the current MPS system. They developed a certification programme aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the floriculture sector and improving the sector's image. The founders thought long and hard about the registration method and about the standards to create the programme. This resulted in a registration system which has its roots in everyday horticultural practice. By the end of 1994 around one thousand growers were already registering their environmental data. With effect from 1 January 1995 the participants were qualified in the classes A, B or C. There is also a MPS-D (Participant) qualification. This qualification is ment for either participants who have registrered for 13 consecutive periods and scored between 0 and 9,9 points, or have registered for 3 consecutive periods. In February 1995 MPS was turned into a national association of all the Dutch flower auction houses, LTO [Federation of Agricultural and Horticultural Organisations] Netherlands and LTO Glasshouse Cultivation. From that moment on the number of participants outside the Westland rapidly increased, reaching 2,236 on 1 January 1997.

Ever since it was founded, the number of participants in MPS has grown consistently. MPS keeps raising the standard, both for itself and for its participants. MPS is constantly searching for ways to expand and improve its service provision. MPS strives for a high level of quality in its services.

MPS also certifies for quality certificates and certificates which relate to the social conditions at a company. These include certificates such as ISO 9001:2000, MPS-GAP in accordance with Eurep-GAP, MPS Socially Qualified and Florimark Production. As from January 2007 the certification activities of MPS fall under ECAS B.V., due to a merger with this company. MPS focusses mainly on its character as owner/administrator and developer of certification schemes for the horticultural sector. Furthermore, MPS does the marketing and communication of the certificates.