GLOBALG.A.P. IFA v6

GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance version 6

Update

The Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard version 6 is the newest version of the flagship GLOBALG.A.P. IFA standard. It is a fundamental reworking of the structure and approach of the previous version (5.2). New tools are available to support producers of aquaculture, fruit, vegetables, flowers, and ornamentals in their transition to IFA version 6. The IFA standard for livestock is discontinued. On 6 August 2024 the Global Food Safety Initiative officially recognised IFA version 6.0 GFS of the standards for plants and aquaculture (GFSI 2024).

Impacted Products

Aquaculture, hops, flowers, ornamentals, fruit, vegetables, plants, tea

What is changing?

IFA v6 Smart was launched in September 2022. From 1 January 2024, it replaced IFA v5.2 for fruit and vegetables, flowers and ornamentals, hops, and aquaculture, and v5.3-GFS for hops. The IFA standard for livestock was discontinued.

On 6 August 2024 the Global Food Safety Initiative officially recognised IFA version 6.0 GFS of the standards for plants and aquaculture (GFSI 2024).

Why?

IFA version 6 aims to make the standard more streamlined and easier to use, with a focus on outcomes. The wide range of add-on solutions have also been updated to align with the new version.

The IFA for livestock was discontinued because market analysis conducted during the revision process suggested that it was unlikely to become the sector’s reference standard.

Timeline

IFA v6 is available in two editions: IFA v6 Smart and IFA v6-GFS.

IFA v6 Smart

• From 1 January 2024, IFA v6 Smart replaced IFA v5.2 for fruit and vegetables, flowers and ornamentals, hops, and aquaculture, and v5.3-GFS for hops.
• The IFA standard for livestock was discontinued. The last date for audits against the v5.2 livestock standard was 31 December 2023. Certification bodies can still issue certificates for the livestock standard during 2024 if the audit was conducted before 31 December 2023. Certificate validity cannot exceed 31 December 2024.
• For combinable crops, and for plant propagation material, IFA v5.2 will remain available for audit until the launch of the updated IFA v6, in both cases scheduled for 2024.

IFA v6 GFS

On 6 August 2024, IFA SMART/GFS v6.0 for aquaculture and IFA GFS v6.0 for fruit and vegetables were granted recognition against GFSI Benchmarking Requirements v2020. GLOBAL.G.A.P. issued the following important information for stakeholders regarding the timeline.

• GFSI recognition of the IFA v6 for fruit and vegetables and aquaculture v6 standards is valid from 6 August 2024 and replaces IFA v5.4-1-GFS.
• For stakeholders currently certified under IFA v5.4-1-GFS, they remain valid and GFSI-benchmarked for the life of the certificate.
• To allow for an orderly transition period, IFA v5.4-1 audits may still be conducted until 31 December 2024. The certificates issued will be valid for the full life cycle of the certificate.
• From 1 January 2025, all IFA audits for aquaculture, and for fruit and vegetables, will be audited against IFA v6 Smart, or IFA v6 GFS when GFSI recognition is required. No further audits to IFA v5.4-1 may take place.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

IFA offers certification for both individual producers and producer groups, including smallholders. Producers can get certification in any country where a GLOBALG.A.P.  approved certification body conducts audits. Producers who require a stepwise approach towards certification can opt for Primary Farm Assurance (PFA).

Background

The GLOBALG.A.P. portfolio of standards offers farm assurance solutions to agriculture, aquaculture, floriculture, compound feed manufacturing, and the supply chain.

The portfolio includes Primary Farm Assurance (PFA), an entry-level standard designed to assess good agricultural practices in developing and emerging economies. PFA aims to fulfil requirements for local markets, and facilitate the first steps towards accredited certification recognised in global trade, such as the IFA.

The IFA is a global, internationally recognised standard for responsible farming practices that covers the following sectors:

• Fruit and vegetables
• Aquaculture
• Flowers and ornamentals
• Hops
• Combinable crops
• Plant propagation material
• Tea.

IFA v6 is available in two editions: IFA v6 Smart and IFA v6 GFS (GLOBALG.A.P. 2022). The two editions are available in parallel and are equally valid, but relevant for different markets..

• IFA v6 Smart is the flagship edition and includes all growers of flowers and ornamentals; all hop producers; fruit and vegetable producers who do not require certification with GFSI recognition; and aquaculture producers who do not require certification with GFSI recognition.
• IFA v6 GFS has been specifically adapted to meet GFSI requirements, some of which are not relevant for all producers, and which change frequently. IFA v6 GFS is adapted for aquaculture producers, and fruit and vegetables producers, who require certification with GFSI recognition (mostly US markets).

For details on how the GLOBALG.A.P. IFA standard operates, see the ITC Standards Map: GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance Smart – principles and criteria for fruit and vegetables.

Resources

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