GLOBALGAP (EUREPGAP originally) is a private sector body that sets voluntary standards of which can be certificate agricultural products around the world. The aim is to establish a unique standard for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), adaptable to different products and capable of covering the worldwide agricultural production.

For consumers and distributors, the GLOBALGAP certificate ensures that foods reach acceptable levels of safety and quality, and has been produced sustainably, respecting the health, safety and welfare of workers, the environment, and especially animal welfare issues.

GLOBALGAP is a standard that covers the entire production process of the certified product, from the first moment (such as checkpoints of seeds) and all subsequent agricultural activities, until the time that the product is removed from the farm.

You can get GLOBALGAP certification through the following options::

• Option 1 and 2: individual producers or producer groups.
• Option 3 and 4: Producers or producer groups working within the framework of an approved program (Benchmarking) by GLOBALGAP.

To do so it develops a standard that covers the entire production process of the certified product from the beginning (such as compound feed or nursery plants) and all subsequent agricultural activities, until the time that the product is removed from the farm.

With a common standard and uniform way to assess the quality of providers the need for second party audits by the dealer is reduced. For retailers, managing the supply chain becomes more coherent and effective. Reduce the overall cost of the process and increases the level of security for customers, suppliers and consumers. While it may be an entry to trade with retailers, it is also an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to food safety, quality and legality, and to work on continuous improvement.

What is the standard?

Concern among retailers about food safety because of their direct responsibility in case of an incident led to the development of food safety standards and systems of homogeneous audit. The standard IFS (International Food Standard) was developed by trade associations German and French food to take control of the situation, and is the international standard for auditing retailer and wholesaler branded food products. Also important is the support of the Italian trade association. The standard applies to suppliers at all stages of the development of the agricultural phase after food..

The conditions are related to the system of quality management and APPCC system, supported by detailed prerequisite programs, a set of requirements of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice-Good Manufacturing Practice), GLP (Good Practice Laboratory) and GHP (Good Hygiene Practices). It helps to ensure that they comply with the requirements of quality and safety, and legal requirements.

IFS meets the criteria of the Global Food Safety Initiative by CIES - Food Business Forum, organization including CEOs and senior management of around 400 distributors (with nearly 200,000 stores) and members representing factories all sizes.