At Partner Africa, we pride ourselves on our accreditation to audit against a wide range of international standards. Today, we’re excited to highlight one of our newest competencies: GLOBALG.A.P. certification.
GLOBALG.A.P. is a leading global certification program designed for agricultural production, ensuring safe and sustainable farming practices worldwide. It stands for Good Agricultural Practices (G.A.P.) and sets comprehensive standards for food safety, environmental stewardship, worker welfare, and animal health and welfare.
Through its certification efforts in 2023, GLOBALG.A.P. advanced its mission to promote safer and more sustainable farming practices worldwide:
- The organization’s standards were implemented by 194,177 producers across 137 countries, showcasing its global reach and impact.
- A total of 4,553,361 hectares of plant production were certified, demonstrating GLOBALG.A.P.’s influence on a vast area of agricultural land.
- In the aquaculture sector, 2,679,361 metric tons of products received certification.
- The number of supply chain companies with GLOBALG.A.P. certification rose to 4,274, representing a 27.9% growth and highlighting the expanding adoption of their standards throughout the value chain.
- Additionally GLOBALG.A.P. engaged 291 Registered Trainers operating across 67 countries on six continents, underscoring their commitment to capacity building and knowledge sharing in the agricultural sector.
In this blog post, we’ll explore key aspects of GLOBALG.A.P. certification, touching on its core principles and providing an overview. We’ll also highlight where Partner Africa can support you in your next GLOBALG.A.P. certification audit.
What is GLOBALG.A.P. certification?
GLOBALG.A.P. certification is a set of internationally recognized standards for agricultural and aquacultural practices. It focuses on ensuring food safety, sustainable production methods, worker welfare, and responsible use of resources. This certification helps producers demonstrate their commitment to good agricultural practices and provides assurance to buyers and consumers about the quality and safety of the products.
As the demand for safe, responsibly-produced food continues to grow, GLOBALG.A.P. certification serves as a crucial link between conscientious producers and discerning consumers. To better understand how these standards are implemented and verified, let’s delve into the GLOBALG.A.P. audit process and its various components.
Demystifying GLOBALG.A.P. Audits: Process, Standards, and Add-ons
GLOBALG.A.P. audits are comprehensive assessments designed to verify compliance with the organization’s standards and promote continuous improvement in agricultural practices. The GLOBALG.A.P. certification system is built on two main components: core standards and add-on modules.
Core standards form the foundation of GLOBALG.A.P. certification, covering essential aspects of food safety, environmental sustainability, and worker welfare across various agricultural sectors. Add-on modules, on the other hand, allow producers to extend their certification to address specific market requirements or demonstrate excellence in particular areas. This flexible structure enables farmers to tailor their certification to meet their unique needs and market demands while maintaining a robust baseline of good agricultural practices.
1. The GLOBALG.A.P. Audit Process
The audit process involves a thorough assessment of the farm’s practices against the relevant GLOBALG.A.P. standard. It typically includes document reviews, on-site inspections, and interviews with workers. Certified bodies conduct these audits, ensuring impartiality and consistency.
2. Core GLOBALG.A.P. Standards
The audit process involves a thorough assessment of the farm’s practices against the relevant GLOBALG.A.P. standard. It typically includes document reviews, on-site inspections, and interviews with workers. Certified bodies conduct these audits, ensuring impartiality and consistency.
2.1. GLOBALG.A.P. IFA Fruits and Vegetables:
The Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard for Fruits and Vegetables is a comprehensive certification designed specifically for fruit and vegetable production. It covers crucial aspects such as food safety, environmental sustainability, and worker welfare. Partner Africa is approved to conduct audits for two versions of this standard:
- IFA Fruits & Vegetables V5.4.1 & V6 GFS option 1
- IFA Fruit & Vegetables V6 SMART option 1
They key difference between these versions is that V6 SMART is an introductory standard, whereas GFS is a higher standard which is benchmarked against GFSI. As of 19 August 2024 the V6 GFS was approved and will become obligatory on 1 January 2025. Both versions maintain the rigorous standards GLOBALG.A.P. is known for.
2.2. GLOBALG.A.P. Crops for Processing:
This standard ensures food safety and quality for crops destined for further processing. Partner Africa aims to offer this certification in the future, expanding our services to meet diverse producer needs.
3. GLOBALG.A.P. Add-on Modules
GLOBALG.A.P. provides various add-on modules to enhance certification scope. The following are add-ons that Partner Africa offers:
3.1. GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice (GRASP):
GRASP focuses on workers’ health, safety, and welfare, providing additional assurance on social practices at the farm level.
3.2. SPRING (Sustainable Program for Irrigation and Groundwater Use):
SPRING addresses responsible water management, crucial for sustainable agriculture in water-stressed regions.
3.3. Albert Heijn (AH-DLL GROW):
Another retailer-specific add-on, designed for the Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn.
The Impact of GLOBALG.A.P. Certification
1. Expanding Market Opportunities
GLOBALG.A.P. certification opens doors to new markets, especially in regions where retailers and consumers demand high food safety and sustainability standards. It provides a competitive edge in the global marketplace.
2. Enhancing Farm Management Practices
The certification process encourages farmers to adopt better management practices, leading to improved efficiency, reduced waste, and often, lower production costs in the long term.
3. Building Consumer Confidence
GLOBALG.A.P. certification assures consumers that their food is produced safely and sustainably, building trust and potentially increasing demand for certified products.
Conclusion: GLOBALG.A.P. Contributes to Sustainable Farming Practices
GLOBALG.A.P. plays a crucial role in transforming global agriculture towards more sustainable and responsible practices. By setting comprehensive standards and providing tools for implementation, GLOBALG.A.P. enables farmers worldwide to improve their operations, reduce environmental impact, and meet the growing demand for safe, sustainably produced food. As the organization continues to evolve and adapt its standards, it remains at the forefront of driving positive change in the agricultural sector, contributing significantly to the development of a more sustainable and resilient global food system.
Choose Partner Africa as your certification audit partner to perform your GLOBALG.A.P. audits. With our extensive experience in African agriculture and our commitment to promoting sustainable practices, we offer expert guidance through the certification process. Our team of qualified auditors understands the unique challenges and opportunities in the region, ensuring a smooth and efficient audit experience.
By partnering with us, you’re not just achieving certification – you’re joining a movement towards more responsible and sustainable farming practices across Africa. Reach out to us and we’ll assist you with your GLOBALG.A.P. certification.
