The eight themes of On the way to PlanetProof
Energy & climate
The energy & climate theme focuses on efficient, fossil-free energy use and minimising emissions of particulate matter and greenhouse gases, contributing to a climate-neutral Europe.
Quality label holders work towards this by:
- Improving energy efficiency
- Producing more efficiently through the optimal use of resources
- Using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal energy
- Increasing carbon storage through organic matter in the soil
- Meeting greenhouse gas emission standards for protected cultivation
- Meeting standards for ammonia, particulate matter and nutrient emissions in dairy and poultry farming
- In dairy farming: increasing feed self-sufficiency and reducing feed losses
Crop protection
The crop protection theme focuses on maintaining a clean environment with minimal emissions and limited impacts on nature and the wider environment.
On the way to PlanetProof does this by:
- Encouraging biological and mechanical control of pests, diseases and weeds
- Restricting the use of chemical crop protection products
- Requiring measures that prevent crop protection products from entering surface water and groundwater
Biodiversity
The biodiversity theme aims to strengthen biodiversity (flora and fauna) and enhance the landscape value of agricultural businesses and their surroundings.
Quality label holders can choose from a range of measures, including:
- Establishing native flower or herb-rich field margins around fields and greenhouses
- Providing nesting opportunities for birds, amphibians and insects
- Managing grassland, field margins and waterways in a nature-friendly way
- Creating herb-rich grassland
- Reducing light pollution from greenhouses
Through these measures, quality label holders contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Life on Land.
Soil quality
The soil quality theme focuses on creating and maintaining resilient and fertile soils.
Healthy and productive crops depend on resilient and fertile soils. This is achieved by:
- Protecting soil from erosion, drying out and depletion
- Promoting diverse soil life, including through the addition of organic matter
- Preventing soil compaction through measures such as minimum tillage and permanent traffic lanes
Fertilization
The fertilization theme focuses on the efficient use and reuse of nutrients while preventing emissions to the environment.
Farmers and growers fertilise crops to support healthy growth. On the way to PlanetProof promotes this by:
- Requiring the efficient use and reuse of nutrients
- Encouraging the use of organic fertilisers
- Preventing fertilisers from entering surface water and groundwater
- Setting limits on heavy metal levels in compost and phosphate fertilisers
Water
The water theme focuses on efficient and circular water use.
Quality label holders work on this by:
- Monitoring water consumption
- Collecting and storing rainwater
- Using legally permitted water sources
- Capturing and reusing water that has not been absorbed by crops
- Measuring plant water requirements and adjusting irrigation accordingly
They also work to reduce water pollution by preventing crop protection products and fertilisers from entering groundwater, ditches and rivers wherever possible. Dairy farmers, for example, are limited in the amount of nitrogen that can be applied to land to help reduce leaching into groundwater and surface water.
Through these measures, quality label holders contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Clean Water and Sanitation.
Material use & waste flows
The Materials & Waste Streams theme focuses on reducing waste from production materials and packaging through reuse and the use of recycled and recyclable materials.
The certification schemes include criteria covering:
- Maximising the recyclability of plastic packaging materials
- Waste reduction and waste separation
- Encouraging the use of recycled materials
Through these measures, quality label holders contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Responsible Consumption and Production.
Animal welfare and health
The Animal Welfare & Health theme focuses on ensuring that animals are healthy, comfortable, appropriately housed and able to express their natural behaviour.
For dairy and poultry farmers, the criteria include:
- Effective monitoring of animal health: helping animals remain healthier and live longer
- Providing sufficient access to water and nutritious feed
- Grazing requirements for dairy cows: cows must have access to pasture for at least 120 days per year, for a minimum of six hours per day
- Measures to improve animal comfort, including:
- Cow brushes
- Soft and comfortable lying areas for all cows
- Flooring that provides good grip for cows’ hooves
- Access to daylight
- Measures to help prevent heat stress
- Straw-bedded housing for calves
Independently developed
The criteria of On the way to PlanetProof are developed by SMK in collaboration with experts and stakeholders from across the sector.
When developing and revising criteria, practical experience, scientific evidence and societal developments are all taken into account. Public consultations and hearings are also held, giving interested parties the opportunity to provide input.
The final criteria are approved by an independent Committee of Experts.
Inspection and certification
A certificate can only be issued after an independent certification body has confirmed that the applicable criteria have been met.
Following certification, regular inspections take place to verify that businesses continue to comply with the requirements of the certification scheme.
These independent inspections are an important part of the reliability and credibility of the quality label.
Would you like to learn more about how certification works and the steps involved?
Why these criteria?
Every criterion within On the way to PlanetProof is based on careful choices and considered trade-offs.
About the quality label
On the way to PlanetProof is an independent quality label for products such as eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question about On the way to PlanetProof or certification under the quality label? Our frequently asked questions provide quick answers about the criteria, inspections and the use of the quality label.