As of January 1, 2021, the supply specifications of Helianthus will be adjusted with the aim of providing correct and complete supply information.

There is an adjustment in the General VBN Plant specification because the Plant Passport is required by law for all plants as of 14 December 2019.

From January 1, 2020, there will be one product group for Dianthus in the garden plants. All Dianthus house plants product codes will be transferred to the Dianthus garden plants product group (3 09 024 01).

From 1st of  September 2019, changed requirements apply to the import of plants with attached growing medium, such as soil, peat, coco peat, perlite, etc.

The Post-Harvest Knowledge Centre has carried out verification testing to ascertain whether the Florissant 810, Florissant 830 en Chrysal Grow 20 products complies with the VBN norms for the pre-treatment of Celosia cristata.

The number of stems per bunch (L11) is information that has become more important to buyers over the years. The request to supply this information with cutflowers is becoming more frequent by the day. Supplying this information leads to lower costs for buyers/customers, more satisfied consumers and ultimately better pricing and more revenue. To get there it is necessary that suppliers present this information by default. Only then can buyers accurately set up their processes. For these reasons the number of stems per bunch (L11) will be made a mandatory characteristic code on position 5 for all cutflowers.

The number of stems per bunch (L11) is information that has become more important to buyers over the years. The request to supply this information with cutflowers is becoming more frequent by the day.

In the past year, the Post-Harvest Knowledge Centre has carried out verification testing to ascertain whether the Floralife Express Clear 100 product complies with the VBN norms for the pre-treatment of Astilbe.

On 15 March 2018, there will be a change in the VBN product specification for Rosa. In the past year, the Post Harvest Knowledge Centre has carried out verification testing to ascertain whether the Floralife Express Clear 100 product complies with the VBN norms for the pre-treatment of roses.

With Argyranthemum frutescens, customers are increasingly considering the plant diameter to be important product information, a significant factor when deciding on a purchase. Given this development, we are going to make this product information available as a mandatory prescribed characteristic. This proposal has been accepted by the VBN Regulations Steering Group. From 1 January 2018, […]

False Codling Moth (scientific name Thaumatotibia leucotreta) will be given the quarantine status in the European Union from November 2017. False Codling Moth is a polyphagous pest which can feed on more than 70 host plants among which important crops like citrus, peppers (Capsicum spp.), roses, maize and cotton. The specie is present in most […]

The European Commission has added the following host plants to the list (update 9). For all plants on this list plant passports are legally required in case of marketing within the EU. The new host plants are: Cercis siliquastrum Cytisus villosus Ficus carica Fraxinus angustifolia Lavandula x intermedia Prunus domestica Rosa canina Vitis vinifera For […]

In 2014 the uniform product information symbols for pot orchids were introduced, after being approved by the FPC. Currently, around 40% of orchid suppliers use them. The Chain Communication and Quality workgroup has recommended including the use of uniform symbols in the product information in the product specifications for pot orchids. This proposal was approved […]

Royal FloraHolland is adopting the RIKILT findings and preventing the trade in modified orange petunia varieties by blocking the VBN codes. In the Netherlands, research conducted by RIKILT has found that there are a number of genetically modified orange petunia varieties available. This study was commissioned by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate. In Europe, […]

On 1 May 2017, there will be a change in the product specification for Bouvardia. The choice of pre-treatments for Bouvardia is being enlarged. The Knowledge Centre conducted a study in the past year on behalf of the manufacturer Vaselife International to examine whether it is reasonable to add the product Vase Life Universal Hydrate […]

As you know, the horticultural sector is currently undergoing radical development in many areas. One of the evident trends in consumer needs is for edible plants. There is also a need to create more clarity in the chain regarding product names and uniformity of VBN coding. After going through an intensive process with various Citrus suppliers, buyers, Floricode, product manager and the Product Specifications Department and involving Royal FloraHolland regulations, the following changes are planned.

From 1 November 2016 the content of quality code S97 (other information on supplier) and K07 (other information on supplier) will be adjusted. Furthermore the new quality codes K14 – K29 will be created to make it possible to specify more CSR certificates in the supply.

The plant passport number has recently been copied into a digital version. For clock sales and direct sales, it can be attached digitally to the Electronic Delivery Form (EDF).

All strains of Xylella are regulated in the EU and may affect different host plants depending on local circumstances and vectors present, although all strains have a very broad range of host plants which largely overlaps.

On the website of the Russian federation cases of Crysanthemum white rust (Puccinia horiana) are more frequently recorded in addition to the usual accounts of thrips in cut flowers.

The entry date to obligate a plant passport for approximately 30 plant species is postponed to 31 March 2016. As a result of outbreaks of the bacterial disease Xylella fastidiosa the European Commission requires the use of a plant passport within the EU for approximately 30 plant species. This obligation would take effect on February […]