Smk (stichting Milieukeur)

What Smk (stichting Milieukeur) does

SMK (Stichting Milieukeur) is a Dutch non-profit foundation established in the mid-1990s in Den Haag that develops, manages, and tests sustainability certification schemes and quality labels for products, services, and business operations. The organization operates a portfolio of certification brands led by On the way to PlanetProof (for AgriFood products spanning arable farming, fruit and vegetables, floriculture, dairy, eggs, and processed products), EU Ecolabel and Milieukeur (for non-food products and services, where SMK holds the official Competent Body designation for the EU Ecolabel in the Netherlands), and a set of sector-specific schemes including Groen Label Kas, Maatlat Duurzame Veehouderij, Barometer Duurzame Bloemist, Barometer Duurzaam Terreinbeheer, and Milieuthermometer Zorg. Certification criteria are developed through multi-stakeholder Boards of Experts and comply with EN ISO 14024 for Type I ecolabels.

The underlying technology stack centers on certification scheme management platforms, public certificate-holder databases, and the Organic Matter Balance Calculation Tool for soil-carbon accounting under On the way to PlanetProof. SMK integrates with AgriPlace Chain for automated certificate validation. The business model combines recurring annual certification fees paid by certificate holders, scheme development contributions, commercial licensing of SMK quality marks to commercial users, and — since 2024 — a transaction-based sustainability fee administration mechanism under which supermarkets (Aldi, Lidl, Jumbo, Superunie) include per-kilogram sustainability fees in their purchase prices to compensate certified growers, calculated by independent research from CLM and validated by the ACM.

SMK serves a mixed customer base of approximately 1,900 On the way to PlanetProof certificate holders in the Netherlands (growing to international markets including Germany, Spain, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland, and Portugal), 78 participating companies in the Dutch EU Ecolabel program, anchor dairy and retail enterprises (FrieslandCampina, Farmel Dairy, Jumbo), and specialized sectors including florists, greenhouse operators, healthcare facilities, and terrain managers. The organization is led by Director Gijs Dröge with a team of roughly 20 colleagues and is governed by a Supervisory Board and an extensive network of expert committees.

Name

Smk (stichting Milieukeur)

Legal name

Stichting Milieukeur (SMK)

Website

https://smk.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SMK (Stichting Milieukeur) is a Dutch non-profit foundation that develops and manages sustainability certification schemes — primarily On the way to PlanetProof and the EU Ecolabel — for producers, manufacturers, and retailers across European AgriFood and non-food sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Services, Nec (8900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability/Ethical Sourcing Claim Verification (RSPO, Rainforest, Fairtrade) (AFALAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Traceability & Chain-of-Custody Certification (Mass Balance, Segregation, Identity Preserved) (AFALAMAK), Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing Certification Services (AFALAMAD)

Keywords

• Sustainability certification schemes
• Environmental quality labels
• Agricultural certification standards
• Third-party ecolabel services
• Product sustainability verification

Headquarters

HQ city

Den Haag

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Fees: Companies holding certificates pay certification fees to SMK for scheme management and certification services. Fees cover inspection costs, certification fees, and ongoing scheme administration.
2. Scheme Development Contributions: Holders of SMK quality marks pay contributions from fees for the development and maintenance of certification schemes.
3. Sustainability Fee Administration: SMK calculates and administers sustainability fees for On the way to PlanetProof products. Supermarkets (Aldi, Lidl, Jumbo, Superunie) include these fees in purchase prices, making them visible on contracts and invoices. Fees are based on independent research by CLM calculating additional costs per hectare.
4. Commercial Licensing: Commercial users (those creating added value from SMK certification schemes) are required to contact SMK for licensing arrangements. Direct users and non-commercial use have free access to schemes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SMK develops, manages and tests sustainability certification schemes and quality labels for products, services and business operations. It operates certification schemes across AgriFood (On the way to PlanetProof for plant products, dairy, eggs, floriculture, and processed products) and non-food (Milieukeur, EU Ecolabel) domains, plus specialised programmes for greenhouses, livestock, florists, terrain management, healthcare and timber procurement. Certificate holders receive independent third-party verification under multi-stakeholder Boards of Experts, and retailers source certified products bearing SMK quality marks for their private label ranges.

Product overview

SMK (Stichting Milieukeur) operates as a certification foundation managing a portfolio of sustainability quality labels and certification schemes. The core offering centers on On the way to PlanetProof (for AgriFood products across plant, animal, and processed categories) and EU Ecolabel/Milieukeur (for non-food products and services). Supporting schemes include Groen Label Kas, Maatlat Duurzame Veehouderij, Barometer Duurzame Bloemist, and specialized programs like Barometer Duurzaam Terreinbeheer, Milieuthermometer Zorg, TPAC, and Register Groenverklaringen. The organization develops certification schemes, manages independent Boards of Experts, and provides certification services through authorized certification bodies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Milieukeur: Dutch national ecolabel for non-food products and services
• On the way to PlanetProof
• EU Ecolabel
• Groen Label Kas
• Maatlat Duurzame Veehouderij
• Barometer Duurzame Bloemist
• Barometer Duurzaam Terreinbeheer
• Sustainable Florist
• Milieuthermometer Zorg
• TPAC (Timber Procurement Assessment Committee)
• Register Groenverklaringen

Products and services

• On the way to PlanetProof
• EU Ecolabel
• Milieukeur
• Groen Label Kas
• Maatlat Duurzame Veehouderij
• Barometer Duurzame Bloemist
• Sustainable Florist / Nachhaltiger Florist
• Barometer Duurzaam Terreinbeheer
• Milieuthermometer Zorg
• TPAC (Timber Procurement Assessment Committee)
• Register Groenverklaringen
• On the way to PlanetProof Chain of Custody

Quantifiable outcome

• 61,941 hectares of plant production certified under On the way to PlanetProof (+4% YoY)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• BionextminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Research project 'Naar een weerbare aardappelketen met robuuste rassen' (Towards a resilient potato chain with robust varieties) to strengthen and sustainability the potato sector through cultivation of varieties with improved Phytophthora resistance.
• BO AkkerbouwminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026PPS Resistentiemanagement voor beheersing van Phytophthora infestans project to manage Phytophthora through resistant varieties. Part of collaborative effort to improve potato sector sustainability and resilience.
• Dierenbescherming (Dutch Animal Protection)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership between SMK and Dierenbescherming to structurally improve animal welfare in dairy farming. Started a pilot in 2025 where dairy farmers can take additional steps to increase welfare levels of their livestock. Important role for supermarket chains in scaling up this pilot.
• Jumbo SupermarktencoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Jumbo Supermarkten committed to switching to On the way to PlanetProof for all private label cheese and dairy products. This provides dairy farmers and dairy chains with continuity and certainty for sustainability investments.
• AldicoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Aldi agreed to include sustainability fee in purchase price, making it visible on purchasing contracts and invoices. Part of agreement ensuring sustainability fees remain transparent throughout supply chain and are paid to farmers.
• LidlcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Lidl agreed to include sustainability fee in purchase price, making it visible on purchasing contracts and invoices. Part of agreement ensuring sustainability fees remain transparent throughout supply chain and are paid to farmers.
• SuperuniecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Superunie agreed to include sustainability fee in purchase price, making it visible on purchasing contracts and invoices. Part of agreement ensuring sustainability fees remain transparent throughout supply chain and are paid to farmers.
• CLM Research and AdvicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Independent research agency CLM calculated additional sustainability costs per hectare for On the way to PlanetProof. Calculations verified with growers' advisory groups covering arable farming, open-field vegetables, fruit cultivation, greenhouse horticulture, and growth rooms.
• Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024ACM provided preliminary review regarding competition law before establishing sustainability fee. Concluded there is no restriction on competition, allowing SMK to introduce sustainability fee regulation.
• AgriPlacecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Connection between AgriPlace Chain and On the way to PlanetProof enables easy approval of suppliers. Users only need to enter On the way to PlanetProof registration number once and always have certificate information available. Status changes are automatically processed.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rainforest Alliance: Rainforest Alliance runs the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal for sustainable agriculture and supply chains, with strong global retail recognition. Comparable to SMK's sustainability-verification business and benchmarked alongside On the way to PlanetProof on the Sustainability Map.
• Control Union: Control Union is a global certification and inspection body operating sustainability, organic, and agricultural certifications across multiple commodities. Comparable to SMK as a multi-scheme certification operator serving agri-food supply chains.
• SQF Institute: SQF Institute operates the Safe Quality Food certification program used widely by food manufacturers and retailers. It is a direct peer to SMK's food/agriculture certification schemes in terms of scheme operation and retailer acceptance.
• BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards): BRCGS is a global food-safety and quality certification scheme widely adopted by retailers and manufacturers. Comparable to SMK's certification-scheme management business across food supply chains.
• FSSC 22000: FSSC 22000 is an internationally recognized food-safety management-system certification scheme operating across the food supply chain. It is comparable to SMK's accredited certification-scheme model, especially around ISO-based scheme administration.
• Fairtrade International: Fairtrade International operates the Fairtrade label for ethical sourcing across food and non-food supply chains. It is a direct peer in ethical/sustainability claim verification and is listed alongside On the way to PlanetProof on the Sustainability Map comparison site.
• GlobalG.A.P. GlobalG.A.P. operates the world's leading farm-assurance certification scheme for sustainable agriculture, covering crop, livestock, and aquaculture producers. It is a direct peer to SMK's On the way to PlanetProof scheme and is benchmarked alongside it on the ITC Sustainability Map.

Broad incumbents

• Kiwa: Kiwa is a major European testing, inspection, and certification body headquartered in the Netherlands, covering food, water, energy, and sustainability certifications. Comparable to SMK as a broader, established Dutch certification incumbent with overlapping scheme capabilities.
• TÜV Rheinland: TÜV Rheinland is a global testing, inspection, and certification provider with sustainability, food, and product-safety certifications. Comparable to SMK as a broad incumbent operating in overlapping sustainability-certification territory.
• SGS: SGS is one of the world's largest testing, inspection, and certification companies, operating across agriculture, food, and sustainability verticals. Comparable to SMK as a broad incumbent that offers sustainability and quality certification alongside a much wider portfolio of services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smk-stichting-milieukeur

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smk (stichting Milieukeur)