The RPP certification system does not allow peat extraction from areas with High Conservation Value. It encourages peat extraction from highly degraded areas followed up by appropriate after-use measures.

High Conservation Values (HCV) are biological, ecological, social or cultural values of outstanding significance or critical importance. This can, for example, be the presence of rare species or special ecosystem services. RPP certification prevents that peat extraction affect these HCVs. In addition, rehabilitation measures can result in a net gain in natural values. Especially after extracting peat from degraded peatland used for agriculture or forestry. This way RPP generates benefits for both, nature and industry.

Responsibly Produced Peat certification secures the best possible development after completion of peat production.

Traditions for peatland use and ecological conditions vary between countries. National legislation, land owners, and environmental policy guidelines set the outlines for possible after-use regimes in many countries. For RPP, the after-use destination should be an improvement of the area compared with the degraded start condition. RPP prefers restoration or other wet after-use. In any case, it has to be the best possible destination with maximum environmental benefits, including climate change mitigation. Sphagnum-farming can for example be a responsible choice for wet after-use, the area will stay wet but can be productive at the same time. Harvested Sphagnum can be used in the production of substrates.
Stakeholder consultation, including local authorities, environmental NGOs and local communities, is an important part of the procedure for selecting the best possible after-use destination. 

Peat is currently the most important and valuable constituent for growing media. Peat secures the stability of the substrate which is very important for horticultural use. Other materials are also used, often in addition to peat.

So peat as a solid base allows the application of other raw materials. Nowadays (organic) residues from various sources are offered as potential raw material for growing media. Often these products -as such- are not suitable as raw material for growing media. The products don’t meet the basic requirements regarding e.g. phyto-hygienic and nutritional aspects. They can however replace a part of the peat content in growing media.

RPP is not about the best quality or what the composition of substrate should be. RPP is about responsible production, and believes that wherever peat is to be used, it should be RPP certified.

Growing media are an important basis for both professional production of vegetables and ornamental plants, and the consumer market. 

The use of peatlands for horticultural peat production represents a small fraction of the use of peatlands in Europe. No more than 0,4% of the peatlands in Europe is used for peat extraction. About 40% of the European peatland is used for agriculture and forestry. These peatlands are drained, otherwise they can’t be used.

When peatlands are drained and degraded they emit CO₂ (carbon dioxide). This is a so called “greenhouse gas” and the emission has an impact on climate change.

These degraded peatlands can be used for peat production. In the long term, after extraction has finished, their rehabilitation shall always aim for maximum improvement of environmental conditions and reduction of CO₂ -emissions. 
About 58 % of the peatlands in the EU are degraded.

About 18% of the acreage in the European Union, has the Natura 2000 conservation status. A prominent part concerns peatlands and other wetlands.
RPP certification does not allow impact on conservation areas. It also implies leaving all ecological valuable areas, with or without a nature conservation status, undisturbed.