TS 12631

TS 12631 is a professional standard for gardening that defines and classifies the occupation and the people who perform it at different levels, while also addressing the criteria used to assess suitability for the job. In this standard, gardening is treated not only as plant care but also in terms of the basic tools and equipment used, the qualifications expected from practitioners, and the evaluation of those qualifications.

What gardening covers in technical terms

In general technical context, gardening is a hands-on occupation centered on growing, maintaining, and supporting the healthy development of plants. It commonly involves activities such as planting, watering, pruning, fertilizing, propagation, and monitoring plant condition in indoor or outdoor settings. The focus of TS 12631 is the occupational framework: what characteristics are expected at each level and how those characteristics are measured and evaluated.

Tools, qualifications, and evaluation criteria

• The standard takes into account the minimum tools and equipment used in gardening.
• It includes the definition and classification of people performing the occupation.
• It addresses the characteristics required for each class, together with measurement criteria and evaluation principles.
• It supports a common technical understanding of competency in gardening work.

This structure helps distinguish between different responsibilities that may exist under the same job title. As a result, expectations for skills and equipment are easier to interpret in vocational training, recruitment, and job definition contexts. The standard provides an organized framework for the practical technical knowledge associated with the gardening profession.