International Accreditation Forum recognizes PHA standard

On 17 August 2023, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) signed a Scheme Endorsement Agreement with GLOBALG.A.P. c/o FoodPLUS GmbH in recognition of the Produce Handling Assurance (PHA) standard under the Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA).  

The IAF is a leading association of accreditation bodies, conformity assessment body associations, and other organizations working to develop a single reliable international program for conformity assessment.  

Acceptance of the PHA standard – a food safety and traceability standard for postharvest preprocessing activities such as cooling, packing, handling, and storage of crops – demonstrates GLOBALG.A.P.’s commitment to ensuring food safety and product quality in global supply chains.

In the context of the Scheme Endorsement Agreement, PHA joins GLOBALG.A.P. flagship Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard – which has been recognized since 2013 – under the IAF MLA scope of Product Certification. This ensures mutual recognition of accredited certification for each standard by IAF MLA members, allowing certificates to be accepted across various markets with a single accreditation.  

“We are pleased to receive IAF recognition for the GLOBALG.A.P. Produce Handling Assurance  standard, as it demonstrates the integrity and trust in our systems. This recognition supports us in our aim to offer solutions to the industry while eliminating unnecessary costs in certification duplication,” commented GLOBALG.A.P. Managing Director Dr. Elmé Coetzer-Boersma.

“Through this collaboration with GLOBALG.A.P. c/o FoodPLUS, we hope to support the use of best practices in the industry and the sustainability of global food production,” added IAF Chair Emanuele Riva.

Accredited certification to the PHA standard provides assurance that companies handling produce after the point of harvest are adhering to strict requirements on food safety, environmental protection, and workers’ health and safety. This is also monitored by the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrity Program, which ensures the consistent implementation of GLOBALG.A.P. standards and add-ons worldwide by assessing key aspects of the third-party certification process.  

About the IAF

The IAF is a global association of accreditation bodies and other bodies interested in conformity assessment in fields including validation and verification and the certification of management systems, products, processes, services, and persons.

The IAF promotes the worldwide acceptance of certificates of conformity and validation/verification statements issued by conformity assessment bodies accredited by IAF MLA members and seeks to add value for all stakeholders through its activities and programs.

 https://iaf.nu/en/home/

About GLOBALG.A.P.

GLOBALG.A.P. is a brand of smart farm assurance solutions developed by FoodPLUS GmbH in Cologne, Germany, with cooperation from producers, retailers, and other stakeholders from across the food industry. These solutions include a range of standards for safe, socially and environmentally responsible farming practices. The most widely used GLOBALG.A.P. standard is IFA, applicable to fruit and vegetables, aquaculture, floriculture, livestock, and more. This standard also forms the basis for the GGN label: the consumer label for certified, responsible farming and transparency.

The GLOBALG.A.P. brand began its journey as EUREPGAP in 1997. More than 25 years later, over 200,000 producers have GLOBALG.A.P. certification in 134 countries. Nearly 150 team members around the world are dedicated to the mission of spreading responsible farming practices to ensure safe food for future generations.

www.globalgap.org