Updated April 29, 2020:
Global G.A.P. Adapted Emergency Procedure to Certificate Extension
Due to the Corona Virus Pandemic
GLOBALG.A.P. has amended the Global G.A.P. COVID-19 emergency procedures to be aligned and to ensure transparency in the food supply chain and support those producers that need to show compliance with a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognized standard. The current COVID-19 emergency procedure allows for a maximum 6-month extension of GLOBALG.A.P. certificates until an on-site inspection audit can take place.
Extension of Certificate Validity:
GLOBALG.A.P. certificate validity may be extended beyond the 12 months, for a maximum period of 6 months. This can be done based on a risk assessment (conducted by the CB), which has to be recorded.
These are the only reasons that are considered valid:
1. The CB wants to schedule the on-site inspection/audit after the certificate has expired in order to observe a certain part of the production process, because it has not been seen in the previous inspection/audit, because it is considered a high-risk process in terms of product safety, or to be able to see a newly added product, process or a new or particular member of a producer group.
2. The CB needs to be able to extend some certificates because of resource restraints.
3. The CB was not able to conduct the on-site inspection/audit and/or the producer was not able to receive the CB inspection audit due to circumstances beyond its control (force majeure) e.g. natural disaster, political instability in the region, epidemic/pandemic, or unavailability of the producer due to medical reasons.
There is no need to support the decision allowing for a certificate extension based on the aforementioned criteria by a remote inspection/audit.
The certificate cannot be extended:
1. If the inspector/auditor is able to conduct the on-site audit.
2. If the producer’s reasoning not to receive the inspection/audit is not justified.
3. If there is no on-going production and no product to be sold and the expected next harvest will not start before the end of the potential 6-month extension.
4. If the producer did not reconfirm with the CB that they will continue with the certification after the extension.
5. If there is a complaint against the producer where the investigation requires an on-site revisit.
Additional reasons not to extend the validity may be added based on regular review.
Crop extension (adding a new crop) is possible only if the new crop belongs to the same crop grouping (in terms of harvest and handling) as already certified.
This procedure is also applicable to all add-ons that are assessed in combination with GLOBALG.A.P. standards.
Additional Emergency Rules Implemented:
The following additional rules apply (Rules referenced can be found in Global G.A.P. General Regulations Part 1):
1) During the emergency period, the CB may extend the time allowed for the
producer to present corrective actions by an additional 28 days (56 days in
total) for justified reasons based on circumstances beyond the control of the
producer. The producer shall provide proof why they are not able to present corrective actions within 28 days.
2) During the emergency period, the CB may extend the time between the off
and on-site inspection/audit. The inspection/audit of the off-site module may
be conducted more than 4 weeks before the on-site module.
Global G.A.P. Remote Option Being Developed:
GLOBALG.A.P. is currently working with industry stakeholders to develop alternative means of assuring compliance to be prepared for the event that this crisis continues beyond September 2020 and travel restrictions remain in place.
On April 27, 2020 a 12-page draft version of a Global G.A.P. Remote (non GFSI Bench-marked) certification audit procedure was published with an invite for all stakeholders to participate in the public consultation phase which will be running until May 5, 2020. More information on Global G.A.P. Remote and the Public Consultation can be found via the below link.
Current Information:
GLOBALG.A.P. will update their website with any changes to the COVID 19 Procedures as they happen.
Current information can be found here: https://www.globalgap.org/uk_en/media-events/news/corona-virus-updates/index.html
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FAQ for Producers with GLOBALG.A.P. Certificate and Certification Bodies: COVID-19 and Food Safety. We are currently working on the option of remote inspections and audits for certification bodies and producers: IFA Remote.
www.globalgap.org
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Global G.A.P. Contact:
Global G.A.P. is very concerned about the continued viability of every producer, packer, shipper, buyer, CB, auditor, consultant and other member of the supply chain. Global G.A.P. wants to support everyone in their work during this time. For questions, comments and concerns please contact Robin Rose at Global G.A.P. North America: Robin.Rose@globalgap.org Ph. +1 (503) 875-0391 or Global G.A.P. Germany: customer_support@globalgap.org, Ph. +49 221 577 76 0