Certification
Afriflora Sher is proud of the roses that it produces. We do this while promoting sustainability and ensuring good working conditions for our employees. Our production, processes and conditions are evaluated and recognised by various certification bodies. We possess the following certificates:
| Fair Trade | GRASP |
| MPS-SQ | EHPEA Code of Practice Silver |
| ETI | EHPEA Code of Practice Gold |
| MPS-ABC | Florimark GTP |
| MPS-GAP | |
If you want to see (one of) these certificates, all you have to do is click the link in the logo below:
A brief explanation about the various certificates has been provided below.
Fair Trade
Fair Trade helps farmers and workers in developing countries to claim a better position in the supply chain, so they can earn a living from their work and invest in a sustainable future. Fair Trade is a quality mark as well as a global movement. Our farms have to comply with various criteria when it comes to environment-friendly production and good living and working conditions for our employees. Roses that are sold under the Fair Trade label realise a slightly higher price. This extra amount is fully invested in social projects like Afriflora Sher’s hospital and schools. This means consumers have the opportunity to help improve living conditions in Ethiopia. FLO-Cert is the international inspection body for Fair Trade. This independent body ensures that all conditions that accompany the quality mark are actually adhered to in practice.
MPS-SQ
Good working conditions play an important role for many trading companies and consumers. The MPS-Socially Qualified (SQ) certificate demonstrates compliance with international requirements (code of conduct) in the field of health and safety. MPS-SQ certification can only be achieved once an MPS-ABC certificate has been obtained.
MPS-ABC
MPS-ABC is a monitoring tool that offers insights to companies, so they can take appropriate measures to reduce their environmental impact. MPS-ABC makes sustainability-related efforts transparent and measurable. It is a globally recognised environmental certificate that involves digitally registering environmental factors like pesticides, energy, fertilisers, water and waste. We have been awarded MPS-A, which is the highest standard for environment-friendly cultivation.
ETI (Ethical Trade Initiative)
ETI has mainly been developed for the UK market. In contrast, MPS-Socially Qualified is suitable for any country and is more broadly supported at international level by NGOs and trade unions. The ETI Base Code is very similar to MPS-Socially Qualified, but places greater emphasis on the flower trade and supply companies.
MPS-GAP (Good Agricultural Practice)
MPS-GAP is an access certificate for being able to deliver to international retailers. This certificate shows compliance with requirements when it comes to traceability, the environment, pesticides and recall procedures. MPS-GAP complies with the conditions of FSI. In order to earn an MPS-GAP certificate, companies must possess a valid MPS-ABC certificate.
Global GAP (Good Agricultural Practice)
Global-GAP (previously Eurep-GAP, and founded in 1977) is an initiative by British retailers in the Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group. These retailers collaborated with European supermarkets and became aware of increasing consumer concerns about the environment, health and working conditions in the food industry. The Global-GAP standard is available for various agricultural sectors in the meantime. This standard includes the following components: Integrated Crop Management (ICM), Integrated Pest Control (IPC), Quality Management System (QMS) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). By earning the Global-GAP certificate, suppliers or producers can prove compliance with safety-related requirements, which means their clients do not have to perform verification activities themselves.
GRASP
GRASP (Global G.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice) is an addition to the current Global G.A.P. certificate. The GRASP module examines whether companies comply with several requirements relating to e.g. personnel and salary administration, pensions and outsourcing.
EHPEA Code of Practice Silver
This label from the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association safeguards the social and environmental performance of affiliated Ethiopian exporters of flowers, cuttings and vegetables. The EHPEA Code of Practice has three levels: bronze, silver and gold. Code of Practice Silver is equivalent to the international Global G.A.P for flowers and ornamental plants. Control Union Certification (CUC) performs independent audits and certification during the certification process.
EHPEA Code of Practice Gold
Compared to Code of Practice Silver, Gold status requires extra activities and cooperation with the local community and the horticulture sector. Afriflora Sher has been awarded Gold status since 2014.
FloriMark GTP (Good Trade Practice)
Besides the quality of our products, Afriflora Sher also takes into account social aspects and environmental requirements, which include, for example, staff training, hygiene and safety. The Florimark GTP certificate proves compliance with regulations relating to personnel and the environment.
