MPS
We are MPS, a movement founded by growers, for growers and we’re on a mission. We’re here to make the horticulture industry more sustainable, by supporting growers in their sustainability performances. We achieve this by making these performances transparent, measurable, and demonstrable. For that purpose, we develop and manage a range of innovative certification standards and on- and offline tools. We also provide participants with their own data insights on which they can read their own business usage. Our certificates ensure that sustainability in the horticulture sector is increasingly becoming an integral part of the day-to-day business activities. MPS standards are internationally recognised and at the cutting edge of the horticulture industry. However, these standards not only concern the environment, MPS also promotes sustainability with certificates for quality assurance and social aspects. In doing so, we offer the sector tools for the effective implementation of corporate sustainability.
Board
MPS has a board consisting of five people. The main objective of MPS is to develop and promote sustainable and socially responsible entrepreneurship (CSR) within the sector, as well as to improve the image of the horticulture sector. The board sets the policy to achieve these goals and is responsible for monitoring the continuity of the organisation. The main stakeholders sit on the Board; they also influence the content and implementation of the MPS standards.
The Board members are:
- Mr M. van der Sar (chairman)
- Mr A. Haasnoot (Royal FloraHolland)
- Mr R. Paauwe (Glastuinbouw Nederland)
- Mr M. Mesken (VGB)
- Mr M. de Ruiter (Royal FloraHolland)
Council of Experts MPS
The Council of Experts (CvD) is the advisory body of the MPS board with regard to the content and operation of the MPS certification standards. It ensures that the standards are aligned with daily practice. Decisions taken by the CvD are ratified by the Board.
The CvD has a say in the development and management, policy and requirements with regard to the content and functioning of the MPS standards. This is understood to mean: all activities that influence the certification and reliability of the MPS standards (drafting of requirements and interpretation (Audit Manual, Conflict of Interest, requirements for certification bodies, sanctions policy)). The members of the CvD also create public support for the acceptance of MPS certification standards.
The members of the CvD MPS are:
- Ms L. van Wassenaer, Wageningen Economic Research (it/digital), chairwoman
- Mr H. van der Heide, Glastuinbouw Nederland (ornamentals and vegetables)
- Ms N. Wouters, in a personal capacity (social aspects)
- Mr E. Dijkman, CLM Research and Advice BV (environment)
- Mr R. van Marrewijk, in a personal capacity (floriculture growers)
- Ms E. Wieringa, Intratuin (retail)
- Mr F. Jonk, Royal FloraHolland (sales of ornamental horticulture)
- Mr W. van Zonneveld, Floricultura (starting material ornamental horticulture)
- Mr E. Stuurbrink (LTO trees and perennials)
- Ms E. Vlaming, KAVB (bollenteelt)
Stakeholders
MPS has the ambition to contribute to making the global horticulture sector more sustainable, for example by reducing the environmental impact of crop protection products, among other things, chain-wide.
FSI‘s international sustainability network is growing rapidly, and so are other (national) sustainability initiatives such as IMVO, in which the government plays a prominent role. More and more partners throughout the horticulture chain are joining in because they see that together they can move forward. MPS supports the sector’s ambition through knowledge and tools.
Relationship with certification body MPS-ECAS
The MPS Group consists of MPS, which develops products and services for the ornamental horticulture sector, and its sister organisation MPS-ECAS. MPS-ECAS is a recognised and independently accredited certification body with a long-standing history in horticulture. MPS-ECAS is responsible for certifying all MPS standards as well as various other standards.
Although we are part of the same group, MPS and MPS-ECAS are strictly separated organisationally and operationally to safeguard the independence and impartiality of the certification process. MPS-ECAS carries out its certification activities and quality system entirely autonomously, in accordance with international accreditation standards such as ISO/IEC 17065.
MPS develops and manages the certification standards but has no influence over the execution of audits or certification decisions. Coordination takes place only at group level, concerning organisational strategy and business continuity. Thanks to this clear division of roles, we at MPS are able to offer reliable monitoring and certification programmes that support our mission to promote sustainability and social responsibility in the international horticultural sector.
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Over 30 years ago, my journey at MPS began after I saw an advertisement in the newspaper. After the birth of my daughter, I was looking to return to work and joined the data entry department. At the time, all data was still entered manually from paper forms. Since then, I have seen the organisation grow and change, and I have grown along with it.Today, I work in the Service & Support department. No two days are the same: one day I help a customer with questions about record-keeping, the next I help them understand requirements from the auction or the UO. It is precisely this variety and the personal contact with customers that make my work interesting every day.
In 2008, I joined MPS through a recruitment agency as a secretary. I then held various positions within MPS and MPS-ECAS, including roles in the Service & Support team and as a planner. In 2018, I left the organisation for a while, but in 2023 I returned to MPS-ECAS as a back-office employee. The people are simply too much fun and the world of ornamental horticulture is so innovative that it kept drawing me back. Shortly afterwards, I started working at MPS as Coordinator Netherlands.
During the final year of my Environmental Sciences degree, I joined MPS for an internship. The internship worked out so well for both sides that I was able to stay afterwards. It felt like a natural next step, because I immediately felt at home here and was given the opportunity to continue developing myself.My work is very varied. I work on different projects and products, carry out research and analyses and contribute to practical solutions. I also manage various systems, support customers with complex technical questions and work with external parties. It is precisely this combination that makes my work interesting and ensures that no two weeks are the same.
I first joined MPS through a friend who worked in MPS’s student team. I continued working here while studying Commercial Economics, and at the end of my studies, in 2004, MPS asked if I wanted to join the organisation permanently. It seemed like a great opportunity, and more than twenty years later, I am still here.No two days are the same, and that is exactly what makes my work so enjoyable. A large part of my week consists of project meetings and translating needs from within the organisation into practical solutions. Thursday afternoon is a regular fixture, which I set aside with a colleague to make MPS 1% better every week. For example, we experiment with AI, build prototypes, improve processes or develop new ideas. The goal is always to work smarter and create more value for colleagues, customers and the organisation.