LOCALIZING PRIVATE SOCIAL STANDARDS:
STANDARD INITIATIVES IN KENYAN CUT
FLOWERS
Private social standards
in the cut flower industry
Kenyan standards
• Kenya Flower Council (KFC) Code of Practice
• Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya
(FPEAK) standard (now KenyaGAP)
• Kenyan Horticultural Ethical Business Initiative
(HEBI) base code
• Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) standard for
the national horticultural industry
Kenya Flower Council (KFC)
Code of Practice
• Accommodating critical voices and retailer
demands
• Developed by producers, based on UK
retailer standards but with references to
Kenyan legislation
• Benchmarked to GlobalGAP Ornamentals
Scheme and board member of HEBI
THE HORTICULTURAL ETHICAL
BUSINESS INITIATIVE (HEBI)
• A multi-stakeholder standard backed by
UK buyers and NGOs
• A response to shortcomings of other social
standards (both international and local)
implemented in the Kenyan industry
• Participatory audit system
A better deal for Southern workers?
HEBI responded to critique of social standards
(Northern driven, non inclusive and lacking
effect) – However HEBI was not sustainable
When the HEBI code is integrated into or
endorsed by other standard initiatives it is
to the exclusion of HEBI as an institution
and to the exclusion of the participatory
auditing methodology