Certification has become a strategic tool for ensuring trust, consistency, and environmental responsibility. Jiffy Group, a long-standing supplier of growing media and propagation systems, operates under an integrated Quality, Health, Environment, and Safety (QHES) management system that covers every production site worldwide. This unified approach allows the company to maintain consistent standards across diverse product lines and geographical regions. The company's certification framework includes ISO 9001, which supports quality management and ongoing improvement; ISO 14001, which guides environmental performance and ecological responsibility; and ISO 22000, which establishes structured food safety risk management. Together, these standards reinforce a system designed to respond efficiently and consistently to customer needs.
According to Janaka Weerasuriya, Global QHES Manager at Jiffy, this integrated structure ensures that certification is not an isolated exercise. "Our systems are built to function as one," he explains. "When quality, safety, and environmental performance are aligned, it strengthens every step of production and supports growers with greater reliability."
All certifications undergo annual independent assessments, and Jiffy also conducts additional product-specific audits on varying schedules. This process, Janaka notes, reinforces accountability. "External audits help us validate our work, identify new improvement opportunities, and maintain an objective view of our performance. It's an essential part of remaining transparent and credible."
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Food safety practices in the substrate industry
In 2023, Jiffy became the first company in the global substrate sector to achieve ISO 22000 food safety certification across all its sites. For greenhouse growers who supply berries, leafy greens, herbs, and other crops commonly consumed fresh, this certification provides additional assurance at the very beginning of the production chain.
"ISO 22000 allows us to manage food safety risks in a structured and preventive way. It's not a one-time effort but a continuous process that involves every part of our organization." Janaka emphasizes the critical role of growing media in downstream food quality. "Even though we don't produce food ourselves, we handle the first stage of production. That responsibility is something we take seriously."
This system is supported by multidisciplinary Food Safety Teams at each site, which oversee traceability processes, conduct internal and external audits, maintain controlled and hygienic production conditions, assess risks related to chemical, physical, and biological hazards, and provide ongoing training to ensure food safety awareness throughout the organization.
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Environmental stewardship and responsible resource management
Jiffy's environmental strategy is structured around ISO 14001, which influences decisions related to resource use, waste management, and ecological impact. According to Janaka, the company invests in energy-efficient technologies, incorporates recycled materials into selected products, and enhances waste handling practices to reduce its environmental footprint. Its commitment extends to raw material sourcing as well; in Canada, the company operates under Veriflora® Certification for Responsibly Managed Peatlands, reflecting a focus on biodiversity protection and community well-being.
Transparent certification for customer confidence
Jiffy makes all its major certifications publicly available through clearly presented information on its website. Each logo is accompanied by an explanation of what the certification covers and includes links or references for independent verification. This transparency allows growers, retailers, and supply-chain partners to confirm the company's compliance with recognized standards.
Janaka notes that this openness is central to Jiffy's customer relationships. "We want customers to understand exactly what our certifications mean and how they benefit from them," he says. "Transparency builds confidence, and confidence helps growers make informed choices." The company's certified product portfolio includes RHP-certified substrates, OMRI-listed organic options, and other regionally relevant certifications that support both professional propagation and high-precision greenhouse cultivation.
Supporting greenhouse growers with certified systems
"For greenhouse operators, vertical farms, and propagation specialists, our certification framework translates into a range of practical benefits," he shares. Customers receive products manufactured under consistent quality conditions across all global sites, together with enhanced food safety assurance supported by ISO 22000. The environmental management system guided by ISO 14001 contributes to more responsible and efficient production, while robust traceability and documentation help growers meet regulatory and market-driven requirements. "We also provide structured training that strengthens food safety culture throughout the supply chain."
As Janaka summarizes, certification directly supports grower needs. "Our goal is to give growers confidence," he explains. "When our processes are verified independently, they can focus on cultivation rather than worrying about upstream risks."
An ongoing commitment
Jiffy emphasizes that certification is not a static achievement but a continuous process. Annual audits, system improvements, and new sustainability initiatives help ensure that the company remains aligned with the evolving expectations of the greenhouse industry and the broader horticultural sector.
For more information:
Jiffy Products International
Tel.: +31(0)78 2062200
[email protected]
www.jiffygroup.com
