Scheme owner:
The GlobalG.A.P Accreditation programme is a voluntary accreditation programme implemented by the IOAS on behalf of the scheme owner, GlobalG.A.P. c/o FoodPLUS GmbH. The standards within the scheme create a benchmarking framework and help producers comply with Europe-wide accepted criteria for food safety, sustainable production methods, worker and animal welfare, and responsible use of water, compound feed and plant propagation materials. GLOBALG.A.P. Certification, not only promotes awareness for safe food production and sustainable resource management, it demands greater efficiency in production. It improves business performance and reduces waste of vital resources. It also requires a general approach to farming that builds in best practices for generations to come.
Retailer and other buyer requirements create market incentives for high levels of food safety and good agricultural and aquacultural practices. As a private sector, voluntary certification program, GLOBALG.A.P. is recognized by buyers worldwide for demonstrating compliance with buyer requirements.
IOAS Accredited Certification Bodies may use the IAF-MLA Mark in combination with the IOAS accreditation symbol on certificates for MLA-subscopes for the ISO/IEC 17065 GLOBALG.A.P. IFA. IOAS is a IAF MLA signatory and accreditations granted by IAF MLA signatories are recognised worldwide based on their equivalent accreditation programs. Mutual recognition of accredited certification in many markets reduces costs and adds value to business.
GLOBALG.A.P. Certification covers:
- Food safety and traceability
- Environment (including biodiversity)
- Workers’ health, safety and welfare
- Animal welfare
- Includes Integrated Crop Management (ICM), Integrated Pest Control (IPC)
- Quality Management System (QMS)
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
Certification options are:
Option 1 – individual agricultural producer
Option 1 – with multisites
Option 2 – Grower group
Scope and sub-scopes are:
Chain of Custody
Integrated Farm Assurance v5 Crops Base – Fruit & Vegetables, Flowers & Ornamentals, Combinable Crops, ,Tea, Plant Propagation Material.
Integrated Farm Assurance v5 Livestock Base – Pigs, Poultry, Turkey, Cattle & Sheep, Dairy, Calf/Young beef.
Scheme requirements:
New applicant certification bodies and those adding any new scope must have provisional approval from the scheme owner before applying to the accreditation body. The CB needs to submit such evidence to IOAS when sending this form completed.
Certification bodies will need to comply with relevant requirements in the GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations (various parts and subscope parts depending on scope of services) and sign an agreement with GLOBALG.A.P.
All GLOBALG.A.P. inspectors and auditors are required to pass an online test and one in-house trainer per CAB must take part in a compulsory CAB Training Workshop. All auditors have to attend the GLOBALG.A.P. QMS Auditor Training.
Certification Bodies also need to comply with ISO/IEC 17065:2012 – Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services.
Application:
First steps in accreditation are as follows:
- Complete the standard IOAS application form
The IOAS GLOBALG.A.P Operating Manual provides full guidance on implementation of this scheme.
All standards and certification requirements are available on GlobalG.A.P.’s certification website page.