For hobby and professional horticulture: Label identifies sustainable substrate production
First international certification system for sustainable peat substitutes and peat-reduced substrates in regular operation – project partners celebrate the completion of the development of “HORTICERT” in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture – certificate has already been awarded 23 times in five countries
With HORTICERT, an international certification system is available for the first time that checks the entire supply chain of potting soils, growing media and all essential peat substitutes – including green waste compost, wood fibers, bark humus and coconut-based products. The aim is a sustainable, transparent and largely peat-free substrate industry that meets ecological, social and economic standards and thus offers orientation for manufacturers, retailers and consumers alike. Since the start of regular operations in 2024, 23 certificates have already been awarded in five countries.
HORTICERT defines binding sustainability requirements, limits the permissible peat content in substrates and defines a standardized methodology for calculating the CO2 footprint of peat substitutes and substrates. In addition, HORTICERT specifies requirements for the complete traceability of goods flows to ensure that only the amount of material that has actually been certified is sold as sustainable. Compliance with all requirements is checked by annual audits by independent certification bodies.
Certification meets the needs of the hour
The certification system was developed on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMLEH) under the project management of the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) – embedded in the 2030 Climate Protection Program and the peat reduction strategy of the Federal Government. The strategy envisages ending the use of peat in hobby gardening by 2026 and largely reducing it in professional horticulture by 2030. Since autumn 2021, the certification system has been developed in a multi-stakeholder process under the leadership of Meo Carbon Solutions GmbH with over 40 partners from industry, trade, science and civil society, including the Global Nature Fund and the Bodensee Foundation. The practical relevance is already evident in the application: in 2024, Erdenwerk Gebrüder Mayer – producer for toom Baumarkt – was the first company in Germany to receive HORTICERT certification. “The establishment of a certification system for peat substitutes is an important building block for promoting more sustainable alternatives to peat. We are proud to be significantly involved in this process,” said Dominique Rotondi, Managing Director Purchasing and Logistics at toom Baumarkt, on the occasion of the award. The first HORTICERT-certified potting soil has been available at toom Baumarkt since spring 2025.
As a project partner, the Global Nature Fund (GNF) actively participated in the development of the HORTICERT certification, conducted risk assessments for coconut fiber production in India and Sri Lanka, and supported the development of the standard over the past three years – including as part of round tables for the ornamental plant industry.
Benefit for companies, trade and consumers
The system supports companies in horticulture, trade and substrate production in meeting legal requirements such as the LkSG, the CSRD or the EU-CSDDD. HORTICERT is also gaining in importance against the background of the new EU Consumer Protection Directive (EmpCo, 2024/825). From 2026, sustainability seals may only be used if they come from public bodies or are based on an independent certification system – HORTICERT has met this requirement from the start. A certificate can be suspended or withdrawn in the event of violations of the system requirements. HORTICERT thus supports the fulfillment of ESG reporting obligations and in marketing.
With HORTICERT, manufacturers, retailers and consumers* now have a trustworthy, independent and internationally applicable system at their disposal that accelerates the transition to a peat-free and climate-friendly substrate economy.
More about HORTICERT: horticert.org/de
