RHP Foundation

	RHP Foundation Issue RHP quality mark Advice Research Accreditation Board Attention for Quality Assurance and Certification in business and industry is increasing, also in horticulture and tree nurseries. In the field of substrates, soil supply and soil improvement materials, the following quality marks exist: RHP and RAG. The RHP foundation aim is to optimise the quality of peat products, raw material, potting soil formulas, substrates, soil supply and soil improvement materials.

	Issue quality mark The quality marks are awarded to producers, traders and importers of peat products, raw material, potting soil formulas, substrates, soil supply and soil improvement materials. The RHP quality mark is a certified quality mark. It is awarded when a candidate participant satisfies all requirements listed in the certification scheme. Candidate participants will only receive the RHP certificate after a period of implementation and realisation of all requirements from the certification scheme. After extensive independent inspection by ECAS, the RHP quality mark can be issued. When a company satisfies all requirements of the certification scheme, the quality mark is issued under licence. The RAG quality mark is awarded when a company fulfils the requirements of the quality mark. Candidate participants will have to demonstrate towards the RHP Foundation that they satisfy the requirements of the RAG quality mark. Advice Companies that wish to carry the RHP quality mark or the RAG quality mark, can get support from the technical advisers of the RHP Foundation for obtaining a licence. After admission to the quality mark, companies can still get technical support from the advisers. However, growers and other interested persons can also benefit by the knowledge of the RHP Foundation. As a result of extensive relations with all kinds of companies, horticultural and tree nurseries organisations, branch organisations and other relevant bodies, the knowledge remains up to date and can be used in an efficient and practical manner. Advice organised in groups, for instance to study groups, growers associations and consultancy agencies, is carried out through lectures and courses in which topical subjects are discussed and detailed. Research A great deal of theoretical and practical knowledge is available within the RHP Foundation. RHP researchers are specialised in testing substrates, raw material, soil supply and soil improvement materials for (tree) nurseries, producers, traders and importers of substrates and raw material. In addition to own research projects, for instance for new products that have not yet been certified, research is carried out for third parties. The possibilities are virtually unlimited. Testing The quality marks guarantee the product quality in the chain from extraction to processing at the client. Advice and research are the responsibility of the RHP Foundation and monitoring in the framework of the RHP quality mark is carried out by an independent organisation, making the quality mark a guarantee for reliability, safety and quality. Accreditation Board The RHP quality mark has been included in the certification package of ECAS (European Certification body for the Agricultural Sector) and has been tested by the Accreditation Board for independence, who controls the quality and effectiveness. Acceptance by the Accreditation Board means that the quality mark is also recognised internationally. This status of the RHP quality mark is a major added value for purchasers of potting soil and substrates in all European countries.