VeriFlora® certified by Scientific Certification Systems, and grown with the least environmental impact. All growers and handlers must meet rigorous performance criteria in the following areas before being awarded the VeriFlora® certification:

• sustainable crop production
• ecosystem protection
• fair labor practices
• community benefits
• product quality

VeriFlora® is America’s first comprehensive sustainability certification program for the floral and potted plant industries. The VeriFlora® "Certified Sustainably Grown" label is your guarantee that flowers and potted plants have been produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and meet the highest standards for freshness and quality. When you choose a VeriFlora® product, you are contributing to a global movement to encourage companies to become sustainable. Already, this has resulted in significant and positive change for farmers, farm workers, and the environment.

The VeriFlora® certification program establishes procedures for verifying agricultural production and handling practices, from soil preparation and seed planting through production, harvest, and post-harvest distribution. The program is administered by Scientific Certification Systems(SCS), a leader in third party certification services and standards development. To be certified, growers and handlers must meet rigorous performance criteria in the following key areas:

• 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.

• Ecosystem Protection – Protecting ecosystems in and around the farm, including streams, rivers, riparian zones, wetlands areas, habitats and species with recognized high ecological value, and other biologically and culturally significant areas.

• Resource Conservation and Energy Efficiency – Conserving precious natural resources through careful water use and quality control practices, energy saving initiatives, greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts, and product packaging minimization.

• 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, 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.

Products that are labeled "eco-friendly" are not certified by an official government or independent standard but are deemed sustainable based on one or more of the following practices:

1. the use of materials which are recycled, recyclable, tree-free, biodegradable, compostable, post-consumer, wild crafted, all-natural, and/or printed with vegetable-based inks
2. manufactured or transported using carbon offsets, renewable or efficient energy, and/or little to no toxic chemicals
3. produced using organic farming practices but are not certified under the USDA National Organic Program
4. a portion of the sale proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations dedicated to wildlife & land conservation, ecological restoration, and environmental protection

Products that are labeled "eco-friendly" are not certified by an official government or independent standard but are deemed sustainable based on one or more of the following practices:

1. the use of materials which are recycled, recyclable, tree-free, biodegradable, compostable, post-consumer, wild crafted, all-natural, and/or printed with vegetable-based inks
2. manufactured or transported using carbon offsets, renewable or efficient energy, and/or little to no toxic chemicals
3. produced using organic farming practices but are not certified under the USDA National Organic Program
4. a portion of the sale proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations dedicated to wildlife & land conservation, ecological restoration, and environmental protection

Fair Labor Practices & Community Benefits™ Certified, which will guarantee strict compliance for labor practices.

• equitable hiring and employment practices
• safe workplace conditions
• access to health, education and transportation services
• addressing local community impacts
• community engagement
• economic stability

Fair Labor Practices & Community Benefits Certified™ underlines the importance of conducting operations in a manner that supports the needs of workers, their families and communities.

The label includes provisions for equitable hiring and employment practices, safe workplace conditions, workers right to organize, worker housing, child labor, access to health, education, and transportation services, impacts to the community, local hiring, purchasing, and contributions, and economic stability. This comprehensive certification provides a consistent, transparent set of requirements that directly benefit workers, their families and communities.

What are the standards of Fair Labor Practices & Community Benefits Certified™?

• equitable hiring and employment practices
• safe workplace conditions
• access to health, education and transportation services
• addressing local community impacts
• community engagement
• economic stability

For more information, please visit http://www.scscertified.com.