LEAF Marque Certification

As sustainability rises on the global agenda, an increasing number of retailers now require their suppliers to hold recognised environmental management certification as a condition of doing business. Many certificate holders choose this pathway not only to meet market expectations, but because they are committed advocates of a balanced, environmentally responsible approach to farming.

LEAF Marque is a farm certification standard owned by the charity Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF). The charity’s vision is a global farming system that builds resilience and supports the long-term health of our food, farms, environment, and society.

1. Join and prepare: Become and member of the LEAF charity and complete the LEAF Sustainable Farm Review (LSFR). Use your LSFR results alongside the LEAF Marque Standard to understand and meet all CORE requirements.
2. Assessment and certification: Submit your LEAF Marque application form to NSF, request a form here. Once you have signed up, we will arrange and carry out your LEAF Marque assessment, alongside your baseline GAP audit where possible. Before certification is granted, you’ll need to close any non-conformances. For your first assessment, there is a 3-month timescale to do this. Once the requirements are met, you’ll be issued with your certificate.
3. Annual renewal: Each year, you’ll need to complete your LSFR, and update your details with us. We’ll then deliver your annual assessment to the latest version of the Standard. LEAF Marque certification follows a clear annual cycle, with NSF supporting you at every stage.

• Improved retailer/market access: LEAF Marque certification demonstrates environmentally responsible farming, covering soil health, water management, biodiversity, energy efficiency, and pollution control – supporting market access and retailer requirements.
• Continual improvement: LEAF Marque certification is not just a one-time thing; it involves ongoing assessments, encouraging continual improvement in environmental performance.
• Consumer trust: having LEAF Marque certification can increase trust amongst consumers, reassuring customers that the products they buy have been produced in a way that is mindful of its environmental footprint.

NSF is a UKAS-accredited certification body for Red Tractor, GLOBALG.A.P. IFA, and LEAF Marque, enabling combined assessments that can reduce audit time, cost, and disruption on the farm. We work closely with scheme owners to ensure our assessors understand the standards and how they apply on UK farms.

NSF is one of the largest certification bodies for Combinable Crops, Fresh Produce, and all GLOBALG.A.P. scopes. If your current certification body does not offer LEAF Marque, we can deliver it alongside your existing baseline GAP certification, or you can transfer all your farm certification schemes to NSF.

Our expert team is here and ready to work with you.