Upgrading from GAP to GlobalG.A.P. certification is essential for suppliers to meet GFSI standards and open new sales channels, with a process that may take over 90 days. Key differences include additional requirements for worker safety, environmental impact, and rigorous documentation processes, including risk assessments. Training and preparation are recommended, as well as maintaining close communication with certification bodies like SCS Global Services during the application and audit stages.

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2. We’ll Get You Through It:
What to Expect when Upgrading from GAP to GlobalG.A.P.
All major retailers now require suppliers to have GFSI level food safety certification. Some
also require a CoA [certificate of analysis] showing product has tested pathogen free. Having
a GlobalG.A.P. certification can open up new sales channels for you.
Start the Process NOW: When planning to upgrade your GAP food safety to GFSI certification
level, remember that records must be available for no less than 90 days and the overall
certification process can take 90 days or more. If non-conformities requiring correction are
found in your final audit, expect an additional 30-45 days for the certificate to be issued.
Prepare for Changes in Reporting
Many elements of Global G.A.P. are not required by your current GAP level audits:
 Worker health and safety, including worker welfare and sub contractors
 The impact of farming on the environment and biodiversity (an environmental
conservation plan is needed)
 Energy use records
 Soil management procedures
 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
 Plant Protection Product Storage
Remember: A self assessment using the GlobalGAP checklist must be completed
and corrective actions must be taken prior to your first inspection.
Differences to Anticipate when Upgrading from GAP level
The major differences between a traditional GAP audit and a GlobalG.A.P. audit are,
1. Risk assessments need to be documented and assessment results must instruct your
policies and standard operating procedures going forward.
2. Additional elements of your farm/field management are assessed.
3. An internal pre-assessment step is required prior to the Inspection.
NOTE: Global GAP registration is required prior to the Global GAP inspection and
records are reviewed for the 3 months prior to the inspection or from the date of
registration, whichever is longer.
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3. GlobalG.A.P. Required Documentation
Risk assessments including the following are needed for operations considering a GlobalGAP
audit:
Whole Farm:
 Data for all sites registered for certification, including information related to all risks
(such as pollution or water table contamination).
 Details on any hazards to worker health and safety, with detail on health and safety
procedures that address any issues identified in the risk assessment.
 Details on food defense mitigation and proof that there are procedures in place to
address identified food defense risks.
 Details on the handling of any genetically modified material (crops and trials) setting
out strategies to minimize contamination risks, such as accidental mixing of adjacent
non-GM crops and maintaining product integrity (IF APPLICABLE).
 Details on procedures related to employee hygiene.
Crops Base:
 Details on organic fertilizer use, which considers its source and characteristics before
application (IF APPLICABLE).
 Data showing annual impacts of irrigation/fertigation water pollution.
 Details of inorganic fertilizer use, and whether a covered area is provided for storage
(Including details such as: fertilizer type, weather conditions, temporary storage).
Fruits and Vegetables:
 Details on employee hygiene (including during harvest) which includes the temperature
range and humidity controls in the packing area.
Note: HACCP style hazard analysis is accepted.
Lists including the following are needed for operations considering a GlobalGAP audit:
 Details on any plant protection products that are used and/or approved for use on
crops being grown.
 Details on post-harvest plant protection products that are used and/or approved for
use on crops being grown (IF APPLICABLE).
 Details on all possible waste products and/or sources of pollution found in every area
of the business.
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4. Begin the GlobalG.A.P. Certification Process
The first step in starting the process is to complete an application form that can be found on
the SCS web site. Upon receipt of your application, SCS will scope and source the services
requested by your company and shortly thereafter provide you with our proposal.
We recommend that you review the following documents that contain requirements for
GlobalGAP certification. The following documents can be found at the GLOBALG.A.P. web page
and are listed individually below:
GLOBALG.A.P. Control Points and Compliance Criteria Integrated Farm Assurance Introduction
Version 4.0-2_Feb12
GLOBALG.A.P. Control Points and Compliance Criteria Integrated Farm Assurance All Farms
Version 4.0-1_Feb12
GLOBALG.A.P. Control Points and Compliance Criteria Integrated Farm Assurance Fruit and
Vegetables Crops Base Version 4.0-1_Feb12
GLOBALG.A.P. Control Points and Compliance Criteria Integrated Farm Assurance Fruits &
Vegetables Version 4.0-1_Feb12
As you pursue certification, remember that the two keys to an expedited timeline are your
efforts to develop a strong working knowledge of the GlobalG.A.P. standard and close
coordination with SCS on setting an on-site audit date.
SCS fees for GlobalG.A.P. certification are built from a commitment to making certification
services cost-effective for all prospective clients, both large and small. Our charges are
reflective of the actual work performed, within a limited sliding scale fee structure.
Specific Services
GlobalG.A.P. Option 1 - For individual producers and multi-site operations.
EXAMPLE 1: Individual producer applies for GLOBALG.A.P. certification. The individual
producer will be the certificate holder, once certified.
EXAMPLE 2: Multi-site operation where an individual or one organization owns several
production locations, which are not separate legal entities, such as an individual producer or
large company has several farms that all belong to the producer or company and are centrally
managed by the producer or company or several farm managers. In this scenario all
production areas of the certified product(s) need to be inspected and comply with the standard
before a certificate can be issued.
GlobalG.A.P. Option 2 - For producer groups: SCS does not offer certification at this time.
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5. GlobalG.A.P. Food Safety Certification Program - Process Diagram
Contact with Applicant. Applicant is provided with Application Form, introductory
Application Stage letter or email, related cost information, and access to SCS GLOBALG.A.P.
Certification Manual
Applicant completes and returns Application Form
SCS provides Work Order, SCS Assessment Services Agreement and GLOBALG.A.P.
Sub-license and Certification Agreement
Applicant returns signed work order and Agreements. Information reviewed for
completeness by SCS
GLOBALG.A.P. registration form sent.
Applicant returns signed registration form which is received and all details are
checked. SCS enters applicant information into the GLOBALG.A.P. database for
Evaluation and producer to become GLOBALG.A.P. registered. A GLOBALG.A.P. number is
generated which is a unique identifier for all GLOBALG.A.P. activities. After
Reporting Stage
accepted registration status is received, SCS schedules a GLOBALG.A.P. audit with
qualified auditor or inspector (whichever is applicable). Audit Plan is sent to
applicant to agree and confirm scope of audit. Audit conducted.
Any non-compliance issues found during audit must be satisfactory
corrected within the agreed upon timetable between producer and
auditor, not to exceed 28 calendar days from the date of the warning.
Evidence of the resolution of non-compliances (if applicable) provided,
in such forms as documentary or photographic evidence. SCS
evaluates corrective actions.
Certification decision is made within a maximum of 28 calendar days
Certification Decision after closure of any outstanding non-conformances.
Stage
Audit results entered into GLOBALG.A.P. Database.
Producer (or Producer group) receives full written audit report.
Maintenance of GLOBALG.A.P. certification.
Re-Certification The registration of the producer and the proposed products for the
relevant scopes must be reconfirmed with SCS annually before the
expiry date.
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6. Partial Sample GlobalG.A.P. Audit Checklist: All Farm
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12. SCS Offers Training Classes to Prepare You
SCS provides food safety training courses that help producers, manufacturers, and handlers
reduce risks, prepare for audits and meet food safety regulations. Our expert trainers have on
the job experience and can tailor the curricula to meet your needs. Certificates of Attendance
are awarded to all attendees.
Our GlobalG.A.P. Trainers will personally engage your interest while guiding you through all of
the regulations and control points covered during an audit for the “All Farm - Crops Base” and
“Fruit and Vegetable” scopes. This training guides you on a journey through the actual audit
checklists used to grade your operation during the GlobalG.A.P. audit.
Your professional SCS trainer pulls examples from personal audit experience, presents case
studies and answers all your personal questions. You’ll review risk assessment procedures,
scope and legal entity, records requirements, testing requirements and acceptable proof, and
The Produce Safety Standard (PSS) option (a more limited certification made just for the U.S.
market).
Pathogen Testing When CoAs are Required
SCS offers testing of fresh produce, products, water, equipment and facilities for
microbiological verification of a food safety policy or program. Our labs utilize ELISA methods
for rapid screening of pathogens, and conduct confirmation using US FDA BAM (Bacterialogical
Analytical Method) methods or quantitative polymeric chain reaction (PCR) methods if
appropriate.
When testing for pathogens, we recommend that environmental testing and swabs be
conducted monthly, and that product verification be done on a lot-by-lot basis along with a
"hold and release" approach. SCS follows the GAP Metrics protocol for water testing and
monitoring.
Custom Solutions Built to Serve Your Needs
For more information:
Nova Sayers
SCS Food and Agriculture Business Development Director
510.452.9083
nsayers@scsglobalservices.com
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