In a move set to reshape sustainability reporting, VALHOR and MPS recently signed a strategic partnership agreement during the IPM Essen 2025 trade fair. The agreement aligns MPS’s digital record-keeping system with the technical requirements of Plante Bleue – France’s leading social and environmental certification for horticultural enterprises.
The agreement marks a significant step towards greater international recognition of Plante Bleue and underscores a shared commitment to sustainability and transparency in horticultural production.
Strengthening Plante Bleue’s Position Within FSI
VALHOR and its partner, the French association Excellence Végétale, are pursuing two key objectives through this collaboration. First, they aim to position Plante Bleue within the suite of sustainability labels recognised by the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI). As a member of FSI since 2023, VALHOR supports the FSI2025 goal of achieving 90 per cent sustainably produced flowers and plants in the market.
To reach this milestone, VALHOR and Excellence Végétale are working to ensure Plante Bleue is included among the FSI-recognised sustainability schemes by the end of 2025. A central requirement for this recognition is the use of a robust and standardised production data management system – which this partnership now delivers.
Consolidated Tools for Smarter Monitoring and Data Reporting
Secondly, the agreement ensures that certified producers in France gain access to a unified digital platform to track and manage their practices. The adapted MPS tool will allow producers to monitor shifts in their production methods and provide public authorities and industry bodies with consolidated, reliable data to support strategic decisions.
MPS’s Longstanding Commitment to Sustainable Horticulture
For more than 30 years, MPS has championed sustainability in horticulture, developing internationally recognised certification schemes and digital tools that enable growers to track, manage, and improve their environmental performance. Operating in over 50 countries, MPS provides the horticulture industry with practical systems that promote transparency, measurable progress, and a culture of continuous improvement.
By joining forces with VALHOR and Excellence Végétale, MPS is adapting its online platform to fully meet the criteria of the Plante Bleue certification scheme – ensuring that certified companies can meet both national and international expectations for sustainability reporting.
This move also strengthens MPS’s services for its French members, some of whom already hold both MPS-ABC and Plante Bleue Level 2 or 3 certifications.
A Digital Tool Tailored for Certification and Compliance
Many French companies already certified under Plante Bleue are familiar with the MPS record-keeping environment. The new version, developed through this partnership, will feature specific updates to meet the French certification’s requirements more closely.
The tool will enhance growers’ ability to track inputs, including phytosanitary applications, and meet regulatory reporting obligations. It will also automatically calculate key indicators used during audits for Plante Bleue Level 3 certification.
Implementation of the tool will begin progressively from January 1, 2026, and its use will become mandatory for all producers certified at Plante Bleue Levels 2 and 3. Comprehensive training and support will be provided to ensure a smooth transition for all users.
On page 24 of the April 2025 issue of FloraCulture International, we provide an overview of VALHOR’s Plante Bleue plastic management system.
