GLOBALG.A.P.
Good Agricultural Practices certification for farms and producers — the world's leading farm assurance standard. GLOBALG.A.P. IFA v6 covers food safety, environmental sustainability, worker health and safety, and animal welfare for access to international markets.
Standard
GLOBALG.A.P. IFA v6 (Valid from 1 October 2022)
Service type
Outsourcing service
Issued under
Accredited partner CB
What it is
GLOBALG.A.P. (Good Agricultural Practices) is the world's leading farm assurance programme, translating consumer requirements into Good Agricultural Practices at farm level. The Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard is the primary GLOBALG.A.P. certification covering food safety, environmental sustainability, worker health and safety, and animal welfare across all primary production sectors. IFA v6 (valid from 1 October 2022, replacing v5.2 as of 1 January 2024) is the current standard for the plants scope.
Who needs it
Farms, agricultural cooperatives, fresh produce exporters, and agricultural producers supplying international supermarkets and food companies — particularly for fresh produce exported to Europe, the Gulf (GCC), and other markets requiring verified farm assurance.
Benefits of certification
- Required by virtually all European supermarkets for fresh produce imports
- GFSI-benchmarked for scopes covering pre-farm gate production
- Access to premium international fresh produce markets in Europe, GCC, and beyond
- Demonstrates food safety, environmental responsibility, and worker welfare at farm level
- Reduces duplicate buyer audits through the GLOBALG.A.P. Certification Database (GGN number)
- Supports EU food law traceability requirements for fresh produce imports
- Group certification (Option 2) makes it practical for smallholder and cooperative producers
- IFA v6 aligns with current retailer requirements and EU Farm to Fork strategy
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
Which products does GLOBALG.A.P. IFA v6 cover?
The plants scope covers fruit and vegetables, combinable crops, flowers and ornamentals, plant propagation material, tea, and hops. Livestock, aquaculture, and compound feed are covered under separate scopes. IFA v6 replaced IFA v5.2 on 1 January 2024.
Can a group of small farms get certified together?
Yes. GLOBALG.A.P. Option 2 (Producer Group certification) is specifically designed for cooperatives, farmer associations, and marketing organisations managing multiple smaller producers. The group establishes a QMS to manage compliance, and the certification covers all registered group members.
When does the farm audit need to take place?
For the plants scope, the CB audit must be conducted as close to harvest as possible to verify compliance with all Produce & Criteria (P&Cs). If audited before harvest, a follow-up audit is required before the certificate can be issued. If audited after harvest, the producer must retain evidence of compliance from that harvest.
What is a GGN number?
The GLOBALG.A.P. Number (GGN) is a 13-digit unique identification number issued to every certified producer. It allows buyers to verify the certification status of any GLOBALG.A.P.-certified farm through the GLOBALG.A.P. database — providing instant traceability from farm to buyer.
Is product handling at the packing shed included in farm certification?
Generally yes — product handling by the producer or under their control is included in the IFA scope unless there is written evidence the producer has no control over packing/handling. If a separate entity handles the product, that entity must hold Chain of Custody (CoC) certification to maintain GLOBALG.A.P. status for the product.
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