Kenya Flower Council holds EPR talks with KEPRO amid global approval by SSCI

KENYA – The Kenya Flower Council recently met with KEPRO Kenya to review recent changes to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules and to discuss closer cooperation across the flower value chain.

The meeting brought together industry leaders to look at what the updated rules mean for growers, exporters, and other actors.

Kenya Flower Council said the talks helped clarify how the EPR framework continues to change and how members can respond in a practical way. Both sides agreed that clear guidance and shared understanding matter as companies work to meet waste and packaging duties.

The meeting also looked beyond rules. KEPRO and KFC agreed that closer links can help spread awareness, improve how firms apply the rules, and reduce confusion during rollout. The council said joint efforts can lower costs and limit delays for members while keeping environmental duties on track.

“We remain committed to representing members’ interests while championing practical, industry led solutions that advance sustainable production and responsible waste management. We look forward to continued collaboration with KEPRO for the benefit of our members and the broader environment,” Kenya Flower Council said in a statement.

F.O.S.S. gains SSCI approval

The industry talks follow a separate step that strengthens Kenya’s position with global buyers. The Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standard, known as F.O.S.S., has received recognition from the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative. The Sustainable Global Forum confirmed the decision on January 22, 2026.

SSCI placed F.O.S.S. under its Primary Production social compliance scope after a full review. The review checked governance, labour rules, and farm management against global benchmarks. With this approval, buyers can rely on F.O.S.S. when they assess risk and compliance at farm level.

Kenya ranks among the world’s leading exporters of cut flowers. The sector earned about US$835 million last year and depends on a wide group of growers and exporters, who account for about 80 percent of the industry. F.O.S.S. serves as a common reference on worker welfare, environmental care, and farm practice.

Didier Bergeret, Director of Sustainability at the Consumer Goods Forum, said the approval adds confidence for buyers. “SSCI recognition strengthens the reliability of the information buyers use when making responsible sourcing decisions,” he said. “It also gives clearer insight into social compliance in one of the world’s most important flower producing regions.”

Together, the EPR talks and the SSCI decision show a sector that seeks clear rules, shared standards, and closer ties between regulators and industry.

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