GlobalGAP Certification : Good Agricultural Practice

What is GlobalGAP certification ?

GlobalGAP certification is recognized worldwide as a voluntary standard defining best agricultural practices to certify agricultural products internationally. Intended for producers, suppliers and buyers, this certification covers the entire production process within the farm. Its main objective is to guarantee the quality, safety and sustainability of agricultural products while minimizing their environmental and social impact.

Food certification covers various sectors, including agriculture, aquaculture, floriculture, and supply chains. Benefiting from GlobalGAP certification is a significant advantage for accessing markets, both national and international.

Which organizations offer GlobalGAP certification ?

GlobalGAP certification, essential to confirm compliance with good agricultural practices, is awarded by various accredited bodies. These independent entities ensure compliance with GlobalGAP standards, adapting their offerings according to the sector, scope and certification level.

GLOBALG.A.P.

As the founder and manager of the GlobalGAP standard, GLOBALG.A.P. is a non-profit entity that brings together producers, distributors, consumers, governments and NGOs. It offers a range of certification modules covering different aspects :

• Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) : This fundamental module addresses primary production, available in specific versions for agriculture, aquaculture and floriculture.  
• Chain of Custody (CoC) : This module ensures the traceability of GlobalGAP certified products through the supply chain.  
• Compound Feed Manufacturing (CFM) : This module certifies the production of compound feed.  
• Risk Assessment on Social Practice (GRASP) : This module assesses social practices in production, including worker health and safety, respect for human rights and social dialogue.  
• Localg.a.p. : Designed for small producers who want to improve their practices without immediately aiming for full GlobalGAP certification.
  

Ecocert

Renowned French organization, Ecocert specializes in certification for organic farming, fair trade, natural cosmetics and social responsibility. As a body accredited by GLOBALG.A.P., Ecocert offers GlobalGAP certification for :

• Agriculture : IFA for fruits and vegetables, arable crops, perennial crops, tea, coffee, cocoa, spices, medicinal herbs, flowers and ornamental plants
• Aquaculture : IFA for fish, crustaceans, molluscs and algae
• Floriculture : IFA for flowers and ornamentals
• Supply chains : CoC, CFM
• Social : GRASP

Other bodies

GlobalGAP is also certified by other international players, covering various sectors and regions. For an exhaustive list of accredited organizations, visit the GLOBALG.A.P website. In addition, the SafetyCulture platform facilitates the search for the organization most suited to your specific requirements.

What are the specific GlobalGAP certification requirements for my industry ?

GlobalGAP certification is based on a standard defining good agricultural practices to be observed according to the sector. This repository is divided into a general document applicable to all sectors and a specific document for each sector, detailing the following requirements :

• Farm management: Implementation of a quality management system, record keeping, staff training, compliance with legislation, etc.  
• Environment: Protection of natural resources, emission reduction, waste management, biodiversity preservation, etc.  
• Worker health and safety: Dignified working conditions, accident prevention, respect for social rights, etc.  
• Animal health and welfare: Food quality assurance, Water, housing, care, transportation, slaughter, etc.  
• Food safety: Control of health risks, control of residues, traceability, compliance with quality standards, etc.
  

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The specific requirements of GlobalGAP certification depend on the industry, type of production, certification level and target market. For example, in agriculture, the GlobalGAP repository offers special versions for fruits and vegetables, arable crops, perennials, tea, coffee, cocoa, spices, aromatic and medicinal plants, as well as flowers and ornamental plants, adapted to the specificities of each production.

To determine the specific GlobalGAP certification requirements for your industry, consult the GlobalGAP repository on the GLOBALG.A.P. website or contact Yvea, GLOBALG.A.P., to guide you in your certification process and benefit from preferential rates with certifying bodies.

What are the steps to obtain GlobalGAP certification ?

To earn GlobalGAP certification, a series of key steps must be followed :

Choose the right certification module for your industry

It is essential to select the certification module that most closely relates to your field of activity. GLOBALG.A.P. offers a range of specific modules. Browse their list on the official website of GLOBALG.A.P. or ask Yvea’s tailor-made advice to make the best choice.

Prepare for certification

Make sure you meet all GlobalGAP requirements related to the chosen certification module. Consult the documents relating to the repository on the GLOBALG.A.P. website or buy them from Yvea. A self-assessment, thanks to the checklists of GLOBALG.A.P., will help you gauge your preparation, without forgetting that the use of a consultant can also be valuable.

Choose an accredited certification body

Select an independent certification body accredited by GLOBALG.A.P. to audit your operation. The list of accredited bodies is available on the website of GLOBALG.A.P., but you can also make use of the search service offered by SafetyCulture. Note that preferential rates can be accessed through a partnership between Yvea and GLOBALG.A.P.

Perform the audit

The audit will be carried out on site by an auditor of the chosen certification body, who will examine your operation’s compliance with the requirements specified in the GlobalGAP repository. The duration of the audit can vary from a few hours to several days, depending on the size and complexity of your operation. At the end of the audit, the auditor will assign a score based on the criteria of the repository and report any non-compliance, advising you on the corrective actions to adopt.

How much does a GlobalGAP certification cost ?

The price of obtaining GlobalGAP certification is not fixed. It varies according to several elements, such as the type of activity, the certification module, the size and complexity of the farm, the number of audits and the selected certification body. To estimate the cost, consider the following :

• Cost of documentation : This cost relates to the purchase of documents essential to the preparation for GlobalGAP certification. You can obtain these documents either directly on the official website of GLOBALG.A.P., or via partners such as Yvea. Prices vary depending on the certification module and the amount of documents required.  
• Cost of training : This is the price of training sessions offered by GLOBALG.A.P. or other entities, aimed at providing the necessary knowledge to meet the criteria of the GlobalGAP repository. The costs of these courses may vary according to their nature, duration and location.  
• Cost of the audit : The price of the audit, carried out by the certification body, depends on many factors such as the field of activity, the certification module, the dimensions and complexity of the operation, the number of audits required, and the certification body chosen.
• Cost of certification : This includes the fees charged by the certification body for awarding the GlobalGAP certificate. These costs vary by industry, certification module, certification level and target market.
  

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The total cost to obtain GlobalGAP certification can range from a few hundred to several thousand euros. It is recommended to compare the offers of different certification bodies and to learn about the possible discounts offered by some partners of Yvea, which negotiates advantageous prices with certifying bodies.

How long does it take to get GlobalGAP certification ?

Obtaining GlobalGAP certification varies according to many criteria, including the industry, the choice of certification, the size and complexity of the farm, the volume of audits required, and the certification body. The duration can thus fluctuate considerably without a precise timing being established. However, there are some elements that can be used to estimate the time required :

• The preparation phase : This time is dedicated to align with GlobalGAP requirements, to engage in training, to perform a self-assessment, etc. This period can vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on the initial level of compliance and the company’s commitment.
• Audit : The duration of certification audits carried out by the chosen organization can range from a few hours to several days. It depends on the size and complexity of the operation, the number of audits required, and the availability of the auditor.
• Obtaining the certificate : After the audit, receiving the GlobalGAP certification may take from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the audit results, the number of non-conformities identified, and the processing times of the certification body.

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In general, the full GlobalGAP certification process can take several months to more than a year. It is vital to prepare the certification process well in advance and stick to the deadlines imposed by the certification body. To speed up this process, support with Yvea can be interesting for you.

Is there a renewal for GlobalGAP certification ?

GlobalGAP certification, necessary to ensure compliance with international standards in the agricultural sector, is not permanent and requires periodic renewal. This process varies according to several criteria such as the sector of activity, the module and the level of certification, as well as the target market. To better understand when and how to renew your GlobalGAP certification, here are some key considerations:

• Certificate validity period : This indicates how long your certificate remains valid after it is obtained. This period varies between 12 and 36 months depending on the certification module chosen. For example, the certificate for the IFA fruit and vegetable module is valid for 12 months.
• Frequency of audits : The number of audits required during the certificate period ensures continued compliance with GlobalGAP standards. This frequency also depends on the certification module, the level reached, and your target audience. For the IFA Fruit and Vegetable module, an annual audit is required for Level 1 and two annual audits for Level 2.
• Renewal conditions : These criteria, which vary by module, certification level and target market, must be met to renew the certificate. For the IFA fruit and vegetable module, at least 95% of the final score must be reached and all major and minor non-conformities detected must be corrected.
  

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Ensure that your GlobalGAP certification is maintained by carefully planning its renewal.