Why does the quality label exist?
The choices we make today influence the future. International agreements and policy frameworks have been established to guide how we manage nature, natural resources and the climate, including:
- The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- The Dutch Climate Agreement, which aims to reduce greenhouse gases emissions by 49% by 2030.
- The European Green Deal
On the way to PlanetProof supports these ambitions by establishing criteria across multiple environmental themes. The quality label helps farmers, growers and businesses apply these principles in their day-to-day operations.
Why is it called On the way to PlanetProof?
The name On the way to PlanetProof reflects the idea that environmental improvement is an ongoing journey rather than a final destination. The quality label therefore encourages continuous progress across a range of environmental themes.
The name highlights this ongoing development. Participants take measurable steps and continue to improve over time. As knowledge, societal expectations and technical innovations evolve, the certification criteria are regularly reviewed and updated. This ensures the quality label remains aligned with current insights while encouraging businesses to continue developing their environmental performance.
Why Choose On the way to PlanetProof?
An increasing number of buyers, retailers, supply chain partners and consumers are looking for reliable quality labels that provide insight into the environmental efforts behind products. On the way to PlanetProof enables businesses to demonstrate compliance with independently verified criteria across a range of environmental themes.
The quality label is based on an integrated approach. Its criteria cover multiple environmental themes, meaning participants must meet minimum requirements across all relevant areas. Rather than focusing on a single topic, the scheme promotes a broad and balanced approach throughout business operations.
Certification may help businesses by:
- Increasing recognition in the marketplace
- Supporting alignment with the environmental objectives of customers and retailers
- Providing a structured framework for environmental improvement
- Enhancing transparency for customers and supply chain partners
Benefits may vary depending on the sector, business type and market situation.
Reliable and Independent
The credibility of a quality label depends on several factors, including how its criteria are developed and whether compliance is verified by an independent third party.
The criteria for On the way to PlanetProof are developed through a transparent and carefully managed process involving experts and relevant stakeholders. Certification and inspections are carried out by independent certification bodies. In addition, the quality label operates under the oversight of the Dutch Accreditation Council.
This helps ensure that certified products meet the requirements of the quality label.
International Value
Many Dutch On the way to PlanetProof quality label holders export a significant proportion of their certified products internationally. An internationally recognised name helps these businesses create added value for their products in export markets.
This is also important for international quality label holders, including growers in Spain, Italy, France and Portugal, who supply vegetables to Dutch supermarkets during the winter season.
About SMK
On the way to PlanetProof is managed by SMK, an independent organisation that develops certification schemes and quality labels. For more than 30 years, SMK has worked to promote improvements in products, production processes and business operations.
Learn more about SMKWant to learn more about the criteria?
The criteria behind the quality label differ by product group.
View the criteriaCertification
Would you like to certify your product under the On the way to PlanetProof quality label? Or are you a trading partner or retailer wishing to trade in certified products?
Read more about certificationAdvantages
The quality label on the product is beneficial for several reasons. Are you wondering which ones?
Read moreInspection and Verification
On the way to PlanetProof does not carry out inspections itself. Independent certification bodies are responsible for inspections and verification.
Read moreGovernance and decision making
Read more about the governance structure, decision making process, and criteria development.
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