Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a leader in third party certification of environmental and safety claims, has just announced the expansion of its Lab Tested and Certified Pesticide Free program to include ornamental plants. Historically, the certification has helped vegetable and fruit growers offer their customers products that meet the highest levels of safety.
The expansion of this certification allows horticultural producers to assure their customers that their flowering and ornamental plants are of the highest quality, said Wil Sumner, director of Agricultural Testing & Certification at SCS.
Growers can use certification to demonstrate to retailers they meet increasingly stringent safety requirements.
“We conduct pesticide testing that exceeds government requirements so our clients have the highest confidence in assuring retailers that their products are safe,” Sumner said. "The Pesticide Free Certification is up to 1,000 times more stringent than pesticide limits currently required by law."
For the last two decades, Scientific Certification Systems has issued Pesticide Free certification to help vegetable and fruit producers demonstrate that their products are safe for consumption. While consumers have long demanded safety certification for food products, they are now seeking transparency in other products that have traditionally brought pesticides into their homes.