About us
GLOBALG.A.P. is a brand of smart farm assurance solutions for the certification of agriculture, aquaculture, and floriculture – advancing safer and more sustainable farming practices in over 130 countries worldwide.
World-leading farm assurance solutions
What is GLOBALG.A.P.?
GLOBALG.A.P. is a brand of smart farm assurance solutions built on a portfolio of standards for safe and responsible production processes in agriculture, aquaculture, and floriculture. Our holistic approach to certification is developed through extensive collaboration with sector experts. GLOBALG.A.P. activities are supported by a rigorous integrity program and a network of more than 430 GLOBALG.A.P. Community Member organizations from across global value chains. In addition, our dedicated capacity-building program equips producers around the world with practical knowledge about responsible farming practices, enabling them to achieve certification, meet evolving market requirements, and contribute to international sustainability goals. Today, GLOBALG.A.P. solutions provide some of the most respected and internationally recognized standards that support the global trade of farmed products, counting almost 200,000 producers around the world under certification.
What drives us?
Our vision – What do we want to achieve?
We envision a world in which farms are recognized for their efforts to continuously produce enough safe food while safeguarding our environment and the welfare of farming communities.
Our mission – How will we achieve our vision?
We collaborate with supply chain stakeholders to foster the global adoption of safer and more sustainable farming practices by providing industry-leading, cost-effective, and value-adding assurance and benchmarking solutions.
Our purpose – What do we believe?
Every generation has a right to safe food. To protect this right now and for future generations, the world’s farms must produce safe food in ways that are socially and environmentally responsible and resilient.
GLOBALG.A.P. in numbers
20+ years of experience
in the agriculture, floriculture, and aquaculture sectors
10+ standards
for primary production processes and the supply chain
8+ add-ons
for flexible and cost-efficient customization
195,000+ producers
under GLOBALG.A.P. certification
130+ countries
with GLOBALG.A.P. certificate holders
180+ certification bodies
approved to audit and assess GLOBALG.A.P. standards
4.3 million+ hectares
of certified plant production annually
2.5 million+ metric tons
of certified aquaculture production annually
21 million+ metric tons
of certified compound feed production annually
20+ years of experience
in the agriculture, floriculture, and aquaculture sectors
195,000+ producers
under GLOBALG.A.P. certification
4.3 million+ hectares
of certified plant production annually
10+ standards
for primary production processes and the supply chain
130+ countries
with GLOBALG.A.P. certificate holders
2.5 million+ metric tons
of certified aquaculture production annually
8+ add-ons
for flexible and cost-efficient customization
180+ certification bodies
approved to audit and assess GLOBALG.A.P. standards
21 million+ metric tons
of certified compound feed production annually
Our company story
As a result of consumers’ growing interest in product safety, environmental impact, and the well-being of workers, a group of European retailers joined together in 1997 to set up the EUREPGAP initiative. The foundations of this initiative would later grow into the GLOBALG.A.P. brand. More than 20 years later, GLOBALG.A.P. smart farm assurance solutions are trusted tools for the global trade of fruit and vegetables, flowers, and farmed seafood.
Farm assurance fit for the future
How does GLOBALG.A.P. certification work?
GLOBALG.A.P. standards and add-ons can be applied to the production processes of more than 700 different plant and aquatic species. Each species belongs to a product category with its own checklist that details the certification requirements. Every audit is conducted against the relevant checklist and in accordance with the GLOBALG.A.P. general regulations – a set of certification rules for checklist implementation. Audits are performed by independent and accredited third-party certification bodies (CBs), and the certification status of each registered producer is displayed in the GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems for transparency. This marks the GLOBALG.A.P. certification system as one of the most robust on the market.
What are GLOBALG.A.P. smart farm assurance solutions?
GLOBALG.A.P. standards and add-on are supported by a framework of interlinked IT systems which connect audit data and validation services to deliver transparent, trustworthy, and real-time information on certification status. As farm assurance evolves to more closely integrate farm-level data, the GLOBALG.A.P. system is evolving with it. The newest version of our Integrated Farm Assurance standard and our connected IT systems mark the introduction of a smarter portfolio of streamlined, intuitive, and digitalized farm assurance solutions.
What is the “one auditor through the farm gate” principle?
We operate a range of harmonization activities that aim to cut duplication for producers and enable simpler sourcing processes for buyers. This is achieved through add-ons to core solutions that can widen the scope of a single audit, as well as a benchmarking program that recognizes other global certification schemes as equivalent to GLOBALG.A.P. smart farm assurance solutions.
What is the smart path to sustainability?
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. We are committed to continuously improving our portfolio and supporting strategies that bring more sustainable farming practices to the mainstream. The next step for the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat on this path is the development of a dedicated environmental sustainability solution that builds on the rigorous criteria already contained in our flagship Integrated Farm Assurance standard.
After extensive dialogue with stakeholders from all parts of the value chain, the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat has established a working group to drive the development process before the launch of the solution in 2025. If you would like to join us on this journey, learn more about participating in the Environmental Sustainability Working Group .
Five steps to certification
Use the Smart Checklist Builder to find information on standards and add-ons that are applicable to your specific production practices or explore our full portfolio . Download the necessary normative documents for the relevant standards and add-ons.
Implement the requirements of the standard and/or add-on and perform a self-assessment using the relevant checklist. Our worldwide network of Registered Trainers can assist with audit preparations and training.
Find and contact a
GLOBALG.A.P. approved CB
of your choice to request an audit. All audits against our solutions are conducted by qualified, experienced auditors from accredited and independent third-party CBs.
Complete the CB audit according to the relevant checklist. CB auditors enter producer and audit information into Audit Online Hub , which transmits the necessary data to our secure IT systems and facilitates the real-time validation of GLOBALG.A.P. certificates and audit results in the market.
Receive your certificate following a successful audit. Certificates are issued by the CB – valid for one year – and are available through the GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems. Producers and supply chain stakeholders must be audited annually to retain their certified status. Certificate holders are encouraged to promote their certification status in their relevant network in accordance with the GLOBALG.A.P. trademarks use: policy and guidelines .
Why choose GLOBALG.A.P.?
Fully consulted standard-setting procedures
The creation of robust, measurable, and fit-for-purpose solutions that promote safer and more sustainable farming is only possible if all value chain participants are engaged in the development process. GLOBALG.A.P. standards and add-ons are driven by our stakeholders around the world, and therefore reflect both market needs and the daily realities of producers on the ground. All of our major standards undergo transparent and comprehensive public consultation to build on the scientific baseline provided by our technical experts before final adoption by the GLOBALG.A.P. Advisory Board.
Proven integrity and accountability
The GLOBALG.A.P. Integrity Program was founded in 2008 as the first of its kind in food certification. Designed to ensure the consistent delivery and implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. standards and add-ons worldwide, the program monitors and assesses the key aspects of the third-party certification process. The elements of the integrity program maintain stakeholder trust in the GLOBALG.A.P. certification system and simultaneously act as a feedback mechanism that serves the continuous improvement of our operations.
Global reach with experts in your region
With certification active in over 130 countries, the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat brings together an extensive farming network. Our technical experts and key account managers provide widespread representation on the ground, and we help to further bridge the gap from global to local through our Registered Trainers and national technical working groups. This provides valuable perspective on the application of our solutions while considering the context of local supply chains.
One-stop-shop for your farm assurance needs
GLOBALG.A.P. certification is widely trusted as a sourcing requirement for many major supply chains worldwide. Our range of standards and add-ons can be flexibly combined and enable stakeholders to get all the coverage they need through one certification system. We also work to reduce the audit burden through our harmonization activities, reducing duplication and the costs of certification through benchmarking and sector collaborations.
Who develops GLOBALG.A.P. smart farm assurance solutions?
A global network of industry experts and value chain stakeholders participate in the GLOBALG.A.P. governance structure to ensure that our solutions are robust, realistic, and cost-effective. They are responsible for a wide range of activities, from the technical development and approval of our standards and add-ons to facilitating their implementation at a local level.
GLOBALG.A.P. governance structure
GLOBALG.A.P. Advisory Board
Composed of an equal number of elected representatives from the producer/supplier and retail/food service categories, the Advisory Board provides strategic input to inform the direction of the activities carried out by the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat.
GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat
The GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat encompasses the team of people around the world who are responsible for managing the GLOBALG.A.P. portfolio of smart farm assurance solutions and the related day-to-day operations. The GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat works in close cooperation with the Advisory Board and includes both technical and nontechnical teams.
Technical committees
Formed by producer/supplier and retail/food service representatives, the technical committees participate in the maintenance, review, and revision of our standards and add-ons.
Focus groups
Focus groups support the innovation of GLOBALG.A.P. smart farm assurance solutions by providing sector-specific insights and problem-solving expertise on key topics.
Other committees
The Certification Body Committee, Integrity Surveillance Committee, and benchmarking committees play a key role in GLOBALG.A.P. oversight and improvement.
National technical working groups
National technical working groups (NTWGs) help bridge the gap from global to local by identifying challenges that affect the implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. standards and add-ons in specific countries.
GLOBALG.A.P. Community Members
The GLOBALG.A.P. certification system would not have achieved the widespread impact it has today without the support and contribution of value chain stakeholders.
GLOBALG.A.P. Community Member organizations are vital in helping us to continuously improve our standards and add-ons, promote safer and more sustainable farming practices around the world, and collaborate on innovative solutions for the benefit of the entire supply chain.
Community members are organized into three categories: producer/supplier, retail/food service, and associate. Learn more about the benefits of becoming a GLOBALG.A.P. Community Member .
Meet our GLOBALG.A.P. Community Members
Over 430 organizations worldwide help us to continuously improve our standards and add-ons, promote safer and more sustainable farming practices, and collaborate on innovative solutions for the benefit of the entire supply chain.
Making responsible farming visible to consumers
Applicable to fruit and vegetables, farmed seafood, and flowers and plants which have been produced in line with GLOBALG.A.P. solutions, the GGN label links conscious consumers to responsible farmers. The cross-category label stands for certified, responsible farming and transparency – enabling consumers to discover the roots of their products.
Targeted solutions to complex problems
How does GLOBALG.A.P. certification make a difference?
With a projected world population of 9.8 billion by 2050, the FAO estimates that we will require an increase in food production of up to 70% to feed the world. Given that 50% of the world’s habitable land is already used for agriculture – a key driver of biodiversity loss and soil degradation (FAO) – we need to increase the accessibility of certification that enables producers applying responsible farming practices to be easily identified in the market. The GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat responds to this challenge by setting reference standards for the implementation of safe and responsible practices at farm level. Already applied by almost 200,000 producers in more than 135 countries, we make a difference through six key focus areas: food safety, environmental sustainability, workers’ well-being, animal welfare, supply chain traceability, and capacity building.
Advancing safer and more sustainable farming worldwide
From the shrimp farms of Vietnam and the banana plantations of Ecuador to the tulip greenhouses of the Netherlands and the mango orchards of Mali, the world of farming is incredibly varied. Farm types and sizes are as diverse as the ecosystems and communities in which they operate. We believe that protecting these environments is vital – both now and for future generations.
Safer
According to the World Health Organization, 600 million people fall ill worldwide as a result of contaminated food each year. As global supply chains become increasingly complex and interconnected, safer farming means scaling up food safety and worker welfare practices. This helps to protect both the health and well-being of consumers as well as the producers who are engaged in production.
More sustainable
More sustainable means implementing practices that address the range of challenges that face the global farming industry and threaten its future viability, from water scarcity and deforestation to food waste and animal welfare. GLOBALG.A.P. smart farm assurance solutions offer a variety of ways to address the different aspects of responsible farming, and our science-based criteria provide practical steps to improve farm management.
Worldwide
We combine targeted, cost-effective, and measurable solutions with a capacity-building approach that provides a pathway to recognition for producers regardless of size. Through our GLOBALG.A.P. Community Members, partner organizations, and national technical working groups, we aim to advance and accelerate global sustainability action.
Our impact areas
Food safety
Food safety begins on the farm, and protecting the right of current and future generations to safe food has been a guiding principle of our work for over 20 years.
Environmental sustainability
Supporting environmentally responsible and resilient production practices is essential to the protection of global ecosystems and the long-term viability of farms.
Workers’ well-being
Responsible farming is about people as well as products, and socially sustainable supply chains are built on the health, safety, and welfare of farm workers and their communities.
Animal welfare
Addressing the world’s fastest growing food sector, our aquaculture solutions safeguard the health and welfare of aquatic species at every stage of the production chain.
Supply chain traceability
Effective segregation, handling, and traceability requirements are key to protecting the integrity of our producers’ responsible farming practices throughout the supply chain.
Capacity building
Providing producers around the world with the training and support they need to adopt safer and more sustainable farming practices can accelerate progress towards our vision.
Commitment to continuous improvement
Sustainable development is a central pillar of GLOBALG.A.P. activities. We are committed to driving collaboration and change, fostering the adoption of responsible farming practices, and protecting both the environment and the welfare of farming communities. The strategies we use to achieve our goals are set out in our “Theory of Change”. The forthcoming GLOBALG.A.P. Monitoring and Evaluation System will track our progress and impact.
How do GLOBALG.A.P. activities contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals?
GLOBALG.A.P. smart farm assurance solutions, partnerships, and capacity-building activities contribute directly to 10 of the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs). We continue to harness our global reach to foster the mainstreaming of more sustainable farming practices.
Discover more about
how GLOBALG.A.P. activities align with the SDGs
.
Latest news
29 November 2023
GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat and Paripassu hold successful TOUR stop in Brazil
October’s two-day TOUR stop Brazil saw 250 agriculture sector producers, retailers, and service providers in attendance to discuss their experiences with GLOBALG.A.P. standards.
29 November 2023
New environmental sustainability solution goes through first round of public consultation
The GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat held the first round of public consultation on the new environmental sustainability solution, marking a crucial step in the development of the upcoming solution through stakeholder collaboration.
