OHAS for Retailers and Buyers
In a world where consumers are demanding ever higher standards, transparency, traceability, and trust, working with OHAS certificated suppliers can help you to cost effectively gain quality assurance in your horticulture supply chain.
What is the Ornamental Horticulture Assurance Scheme?
The Ornamental Horticulture Assurance Scheme (OHAS) is owned by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA). It is an externally accredited quality assurance scheme made up of three Standards designed for growers and packers of ornamental horticultural products, and manufacturers of growing media.
The Scheme, which has been in existence for almost 30 years*, raises industry standards and meets the needs of plant health initiatives by providing full traceability of living and cut plant material, and ensures best manufacturing practices during the creation of growing media.
It sets high standards of professionalism within the production process and promotes sustainable business practices and procedures to protect the environment. An annual, external audit assesses the level attained. As a result of regular updates to the Standards, the process of member business continuous improvement is also maintained.
Contracting with an OHAS certificated business means you have complete confidence in the products and services you are buying, saving you time and money in monitoring supplier performance.
*Footnote - OHAS was formed in 1996, up until 2020 it was known as BOPP - British Ornamental Plant Producers.
When you buy from an OHAS certificated supplier you are assured of:
- Plants, flowers, and growing media which have been produced safely and legally
- Consistency of both quality and service
- Full traceability of all products and confidence that the plants supplied are healthy
- Quality management systems which ensure customer requirements are met
- Built-in continuous improvement processes which drive quality and customer satisfaction
- Suppliers who are actively reducing their impact on the environment
- Suppliers who have been audited annually by a third-party organisation which checks and monitors business practices
Quality assurance - specific not generic
OHAS is the only UK certification scheme solely dedicated to ornamental horticulture. Unlike other generic quality schemes, the OHAS Standards are specifically designed to meet the specialist needs of the industry. They are managed by the HTA Scheme Manager and OHAS Committee which means the Standards remain relevant to the horticulture industry.
Plant health and biosecurity - clear alignment
OHAS is a business assurance scheme incorporating a wide range of best practices. It covers business organisation and management, health and safety, product traceability, plant health and biosecurity, environmental and business sustainability parameters, staff management, training, and welfare, and much more.
Contact:
If you would like to know more, or see a full copy of the OHAS Standards, please contact us via the email address below.