Gütegemeinschaft Substrate für Pflanzen e.V. (GGS) is one of more than 110 quality assurance associations organized under the roof of the RAL Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e.V. (German Institute for Quality Assurance and Certification) (www.ral-guete.de). The German public is familiar with RAL quality marks from many areas of modern life. RAL quality marks stand for neutrally inspected high-quality products. Our expertise is also based on more than 40 years of experience in quality assurance and approximately 60 active members.

Gütegemeinschaft Substrate für Pflanzen e.V. is an association of producers and services providers that have a special awareness of quality assurance. We also work closely with scientists and people with practical business experience.

The RAL quality mark provides guidance and helps to avoid making poor purchases that are costly. Our task is to process and monitor the implementation of the RAL Quality Assurance for bark, growing media, potting soils, growing media constituents, expanded clay for use as a growing medium, substrates for green roofs and substrates for tree planting. In other words, the award of the RAL quality mark certifies the quality of these items.

One of the key duties of Gütegemeinschaft Substrate für Pflanzen e.V. is to pursue a sound information policy vis-à-vis members and consumers as regards quality assurance and the application of the products in question.

At the core of the association’s quality work are the quality commissions of Gütegemeinschaft für Pflanzen e.V. that are organised in three divisions. These bodies are made up of independent scientists and producers’ representatives. They draw up quality criteria and methods of quality assurance and monitor the awarding of quality marks and compliance with the quality parameters. The commission members’ different backgrounds guarantee independence and close liaison between scientists, researchers, and practical producers.