Certified Greenhouse Farmers Certification Standard - SCS Global ...

1.0 Purpose, Structure and Intended Uses1.1. PurposeThe purpose of the <strong>Standard</strong> is to establish a common set of requirements for infrastructure andagricultural production practices in greenhouses which have achieved certification in food safetyand have demonstrated investments in advanced technologies. The ecological requirementsensure that an agricultural product has been produced in a distinctly environmentally soundmanner. In addition, the <strong>Standard</strong> is intended to establish guidelines for best managementpractices that will allow growers a mechanism for internal benchmarking with sustainabilitypractices.The <strong>Standard</strong> is in support of the definition of greenhouse grown vegetables as set forth by the<strong>Certified</strong> <strong>Greenhouse</strong> <strong>Farmers</strong> (CGF):A fully enclosed permanent aluminum or steel structure clad eitherin glass or impermeable plastic for the controlled environmentalgrowing of certified greenhouse/hothouse vegetables usingtogether computerized irrigation and climate control systems,including heating and ventilation capability; grown in a soillessmedium that substitutes for soil (under the greenhouse/hothouse);using hydroponic methods; Integrated Pest Management andwithout the use of herbicides.1.2. Structure of the <strong>Standard</strong>The framework set forth in this <strong>Standard</strong> addresses a spectrum of issues – prerequisites,greenhouse design and optional ecosystem management and integrated waste managementprotection – summarized under the following elements:Prerequisites - Application with CGF- Audited by Recognized GFSI Third-Party FoodSafety Program- <strong>Greenhouse</strong> Production Plan<strong>Greenhouse</strong> Design andOperation AuditOptional: EcosystemManagement and ProtectionOptional: Integrated WasteManagement- <strong>Greenhouse</strong> Structure and EnvironmentalControls- Water Management- Integrated Pest Management- Plant Nutrition Management- Site Erosion Control- Habitat Management and Protection- Packaging Resource Minimization- Management of Product and Other Wastes- Management of Hazardous MaterialsThe <strong>Standard</strong> contains prerequisite requirements and certification requirements (Tier 1), as wellas optional best management practices (Tier 2) for future consideration or implementation.Version 1‐0March 2012 Page 1