Global recognition for MPS-Socially Qualified from SSCI

The MPS-Socially Qualified (MPS-SQ) certificate has received official recognition from the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI). This is a milestone, confirming that MPS’ participants’ commitment to social sustainability meets the highest international standards.

In international horticulture, the demand for transparency regarding working conditions is growing. To address this, MPS has successfully guided the MPS-SQ certification standard through the intensive benchmarking process of the SSCI. This benchmark, part of the Consumer Goods Forum, assesses globally whether certificates meet strict requirements regarding themes such as human rights, safety, and fair recruitment.

What does this mean in practice?
For participants of MPS-SQ, this recognition primarily offers security. Retailers and major buyers are increasingly using the SSCI benchmark to determine which certificates they accept in their procurement policies. With an MPS-SQ certificate, you can now demonstrate, through a globally recognised standard, that your social affairs are well-managed.

“This recognition is a confirmation of the quality we are building together with the entire chain,” says Linda Hoogendoorn, Managing Director of MPS. “It provides participants of MPS-SQ with the right credentials to meet the growing demands of the international market.”

Behind the scenes
To meet the strict requirements of SSCI, MPS has further tightened the MPS-SQ standard in several areas. For example, the company’s IT systems for data management have been updated, the qualification requirements for MPS’ auditors have been increased and the complaints procedure has been further formalised. These improvements ensure that the certificate remains relevant not only now, but also in the future, in a sector that is constantly evolving.

With SSCI recognition, MPS-SQ joins a select group of international standards contributing to a fair and transparent floriculture supply chain.