GLOBALG.A.P.

In short

GLOBALG.A.P. certifies farms. Its main standard, Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA), sets requirements for food safety, workers’ health and safety, environment and traceability on the farm. The version for fruit and vegetables is the one most Brazilian fresh-fruit exporters meet.

Each certified producer has a GGN (GLOBALG.A.P. Number) that buyers can look up. The farm standard is recognised by GFSI for primary production. It does not cover the packing house or factory in the way FSSC 22000, BRCGS or IFS Food do, so exporters often hold both.

What it covers

• Food safety on the farm: water, soil, inputs, hygiene and harvest
• Workers’ health, safety and welfare
• Environment and traceability from farm to packing house

What it does not cover

• It certifies the farm, not a processing plant: buyers of processed product still ask for a plant scheme
• It is not an organic or fair-trade certificate

Who asks for it

European supermarkets and importers of fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables.

How to check a certificate

Look up the producer’s GGN in the GLOBALG.A.P. database, which is linked from the GLOBALG.A.P. website, and check the products and validity date.

How a company gets it

1. Choose the right standard and scope for your crop
2. Run a self-assessment against the control points and fix the gaps
3. Register with an approved certification body and pass the audit
4. Receive your GGN and keep annual audits

Questions