GlobalGAP (previously EurepGAP)
GAP stands for Good Agricultural Practice.
A group of large European supermarket chains, partners in EUREP (Euro Retailer Produce), prepared regulations in 1999 with which growers of primary products, like fruit, vegetables, potatoes and cut flowers plus producers of starting material have to comply. The regulations are known as the GlobalGAP norms. All our growers are at least Global G.A.P. certified.
View our GlobalGAP certificate
BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is an inspection protocol used by British retailers.
It contains criteria that suppliers must meet. The BRC certification demands the existence of a quality control system and that HACCP is applied and the environment, product, process and personnel are included in this system (Good Hygiene Practice requirements).
A supplier can fulfil the BRC technical standard on two levels: the BRC Foundation Level (basic requirements) and the BRC Higher Level (supplementary requirements). In addition, a number of Recommendations on good practice are given.
With a BRC certificate a producer in principle meets all criteria imposed by British supermarkets in one go.
View our BRC certificate
RIK
RIK is an abbreviation for “Reglement Interne Kwaliteitscontrole” (Internal Quality Inspection Scheme).
They were set up by the KCB (Quality Control Bureau) and PD (Plant Disease Agency) in response to the European legislation on the quality control of vegetables and fruit. RIK was also established to ensure that companies complying with RIK were inspected less and thus rewarded for their efforts. The RIK participants did have to meet certain EU regulations for quality care and also offer guarantees for the product quality.
View our RIK certificate
QS (Qualität und Sicherheit)
QS stands for Qualität und Sicherheit fur Lebensmittel vom Erzeuger bis zum Verbraucher [Quality and Safety of foodstuffs from grower to end-user].
The QS system was established after the BSE affair by the German food industry as a counterpart to GlobalGAP. It is first of all a certification system for meat and meat products to provide the consumer with guarantees about the quality and origin of the meat. At the start of 2004, several German chain stores extended the QS system to vegetables and fruit.
View our QS certificate
Planetproof
Planetproof (Dutch environmental quality label) is a hallmark with the environment as its main focus.
It stands for production that involves low applications of pesticides and artificial fertiliser. In the cultivation of vegetables and fruit, only pesticides that pollute the environment as little as possible are permitted. The Planetproof criteria apply to the whole lifecycle of a product or service. They include mandatory requirements for animal welfare, and there are selective measures with which a participant must score a certain number of points.
View our Planetproof certificate
SKAL / BIO
Organic farming is a form of agriculture and horticulture that expressly takes into account environmental effects and animal welfare.
Organic agriculture arose in the 20th century as a reaction to the industrialisation of the food supply. Organic agriculture does not use any chemical pesticides or artificial fertiliser. Animals are given more space and can exhibit their natural behaviour. There are various organic quality marks that monitor this. In the Netherlands, these checks have been carried out by the SKAL foundation since 1987.
View our SKAL / BIO certificate