RHS Policies and Statements

Your ongoing support and generosity helps us to enrich everyone’s life through plants and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place – see what policies and statements help govern and achieve our vision

General

Diversity and inclusion |  Statement

The Society is committed to promoting Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) at the RHS; across all our work in Shows, Gardens, Communities, Science, Education, Art, in our magazines, books, online and other media; and in the wider horticultural industry.

Read our statement

Heritage Interpretation |  Principles

The RHS cares for the finest collection of horticultural literature and archives in the world, assembled over more than two centuries. We want to understand, share and enhance that heritage and knowledge in an inclusive way to understand garden heritage and to engage with audiences.

Read our principles

RHS Pension Scheme |  Statement

In accordance with the Occupational Pension Schemes (Administration and Disclosure) (Amendment) Regulations 2018, we have published the RHS 1974 Pension Scheme’s Statement of Investment Principles.

Read our statement

Gender Pay Gap |  Report

Read our latest Gender Pay Gap Report, which measures the difference in average hourly pay between men and women across all workers at the RHS.

Read the report

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking |  Statement

We are committed to ensuring modern slavery is not present in our supply chains and have introduced, and will continue to develop, policy and procedures to manage the way we obtain goods and services to keep our supply chains robust and free from modern slavery.

How we are tackling modern slavery

Privacy |  Policy

Your privacy, and security of your personal information, are of the highest importance to us. 

How we handle your personal data

Feedback |  Policy

We're committed to providing exceptional service to our customers - to help us achieve this we welcome all types of feedback. Let us know what you think via our online feedback form

How we process your feedback

Environmental

Peat |  Statement

We want to be a catalyst for change towards peat-free gardening. Working with our networks and using our experience as an exemplar, we aim to be 100% peat free in all our operations by 2025.

Our position on peat use

Pesticides  |  Statement

We encourage gardeners to help our declining bees and other pollinators by avoiding the use of neonicotinoids and other pesticides

Our view on pesticides

Plant Health |  Policy

We have set six principles to guide plant health practice across the Society.

How we're protecting plant health

Plastic |  Policy

We support the Government’s intentions to decrease plastic waste and are committed to helping the UK’s 27 million gardeners reduce their environmental impact

How we are reducing plastic use

Shows sustainability |  Statement

We have introduced numerous steps to make RHS shows more sustainable, working with our exhibitors, contractors and partners to take action now and by setting targets for the future.

Read the statement

RHS Qualifications

Appeals |  Procedure

RHS Qualifications students can follow this policy to appeal their examination grades

Appeals procedure

Conflict of Interest |  Policy

To prevent any potential bias RHS Qualifications ensures its staff and centres comply with this conflicts of interest policy

Preventing bias

Customer Service and Complaints |  Procedure

This policy only relates to specific issues with RHS qualifications – any other queries will not be responded to.

How our qualifications team support you

Equality and diversity |  Policy

RHS Qualifications is committed to ensuring that there is no direct, combined or indirect discrimination in any of its activities.

How we ensure fairness

Equal Opportunity |  Policy

RHS Qualifications is committed to a policy of equal opportunities ensuring the units and qualifications it makes available, are compliant with Equalities Law

How we ensure equal opportunities

Malpractice |  Policy

RHS Qualifications takes all reasonable steps to prevent the occurrence of any malpractice or maladministration by candidates

What we do to prevent malpractice

Sanctions |  Policy

RHS Qualifications constantly reviews the quality of its centers and will apply a range of sanctions to any centre falling short of its expectations

Sanctions we implement

What is the RHS doing for the environment?

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.