Which topics does the PFA standard address?

The PFA standard is based on the IFA standard, meaning that it has a shorter list of requirements but follows the same format and shares largely the same topics.

Core topics in PFA version 5 include:

• Food safety

• Traceability

• Fertilizer application

• Water management

• Integrated pest management and plant protection products

• Harvest and basic postharvest activities

• Hygiene

• Workers’ health, safety, and welfare

• Waste and pollution management, recycling and re-use

• Complaints procedure and recall/withdrawal procedure

Standard development

The PFA General Rules and the relevant control points and compliance criteria are set by the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat and do not undergo a separate public consultation process, since this has already been completed for the IFA base standard.

How does PFA work?

As PFA is intended to build capacity over time via a stepwise approach, the standard is available in three levels (Entry level, Foundation level, and Intermediate level), with each level including more criteria than the last. Producers can start at the lowest level and progress to higher levels when ready.

PFA levels

• Entry level
  is the most basic PFA level and has been specifically developed for small-scale producers that only supply local markets. To better fit the practical capabilities of producers at this level, some of the control points have been simplified and less documentation is required. It covers the most basic food safety and traceability requirements to ensure the building blocks relating to basic food safety principles are established early.

• Foundation level
  covers basic food safety and traceability requirements. It is ideal for producers who sell primarily at a local level or are starting the process toward certification.

• Intermediate level
  incorporates stronger food safety criteria, slightly increased requirements on workers’ health and safety, more stringent environmental conservation criteria, as well as traceability. This is the highest level of the PFA standard.

Eligibility for export

The primary target of PFA is to fulfil the demands of local or regional markets. If you are looking for full certification which is accepted in US or global markets, explore our core solutions.

Compliance and checklist criteria

The PFA standard follows the same format for all levels:

• Compliance with the standard requirements is audited annually by an independent third-party: either a verification body (VB) or a certification body (CB).

• Producers can choose from any VB or CB active in the relevant country/region.

• A successful audit results in a letter of conformance valid for one year.

Standard content is formed of control points and compliance criteria (CPCCs). Criteria are graded in three levels: Major Must, Minor Musts, and recommendations.

Control points

• Fundamentals that set the foundation of a GLOBALG.A.P. requirement

• Written in question form

 Compliance criteria

• Methods that producers can use to demonstrate compliance

• Evidence must demonstrate that the outcome is achieved

 Read more about the audit process and compliance requirements.

How is PFA assessment status verified?

Every producer registered for PFA is assigned a 13-digit GLOBALG.A.P. identification number (in this case a localg.a.p. number – LGN). This number allows real-time verification of a producer’s status in the GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems, upholding our rigorous transparency requirements throughout the supply chain.

Producers can control data access and privacy rights for audit reports, and they are not shared publicly or with third parties. This process is handled via your chosen VB or CB.

How is PFA different from IFA?

PFA

• Primary solution – not an accredited certification and mainly intended as a capacity building tool

• Producer receives a LGN (localg.a.p. Number)

• Subset of IFA requirements, available in three levels

• Assessments can be conducted by a GLOBALG.A.P. approved certification body or verification body

• Compliant producer receives a letter of conformance

• May be accepted by local/regional markets

IFA

• Core solution – resulting in accredited certification

• Producer receives a GGN (GLOBALG.A.P. Number)

• One level with a full set of requirements

• Audits can only be conducted by GLOBALG.A.P. approved certification bodies

• Compliant producer receives a certificate

• Internationally recognized for global trade, with GFSI recognition (depending on version)

Which industry challenges does PFA address?  

• Food safety and traceability are fundamental priorities for both consumers and supply chain stakeholders.
   

• Buyers seek assurance from their supplier through G.A.P. certification, which mitigates risks and enhances food safety.
   

• For small-scale producers or those in emerging markets, meeting these criteria can be difficult at first due to the scale or complexity of the requirements and implementation costs.
   

• Primary Farm Assurance helps producers to adopt good agricultural practices at their own pace, gradually improving the efficiency of farm management, cutting exposure to food safety risks, and complying with legislation on food safety.
   

• Through these steps, producers can gain increased access to local and regional markets and – if desired – eventually achieve full certification and unlock access to global markets.

Follow our five steps to PFA to get started today.

Implementation and assessment process

How does the assessment process work?

• PFA compliance is assessed annually by an independent third-party – either a GLOBALG.A.P. approved CB or VB

• Producers have the freedom to choose which CB or VB they use

• A successful assessment results in a letter of conformance valid for one year

• The CB/VB is responsible for uploading the assessment report and maintaining the accuracy of producer data in the GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems

• Producers must undergo an on-site assessment each year as part of the renewal process

Which documents are required?

• General rules: Rules that define how the certification process works, from the scope of the respective standard to the audit process and audit requirements.

• Control points and compliance criteria: Control points are the fundamental GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for each standard. They are written in question form and are accompanied by corresponding compliance criteria that detail how a producer must demonstrate compliance.

• Checklist: The full list of standard criteria as used by CB/VB auditors, enabling producers to perform a self-assessment in preparation for the on-site assessment.

Which version of PFA is currently valid?

PFA is currently available in version 5.

A revision and update – to PFA v6 – is currently in progress and will be published in the near future.

The transition period from v5 to v6 will be announced in due course.

The PFA FAQs contain more information on documents, certification renewal, and more.

How much does a PFA assessment cost?

Each farm is unique, and the total costs of assessment depend on a combination of factors such as farm size, number of sites, location, necessary preparation measures (such as establishing new procedures), and more. In general, PFA contains three cost elements:

1. Implementation costs: Incurred by producers to prepare for the assessment

2. CB/VB service fees: Determined and invoiced by the CB/VB to cover assessment time and travel costs

3. GLOBALG.A.P. registration and certificate license fees: Calculated based on farm size and invoiced by the CB/VB

The GLOBALG.A.P. fee table contains full information on the fee structure for each solution.