An overview of the newest IFA versions
Introduction of V5.3-GFS
In order for GLOBALG.A.P. to maintain recognition of its Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA)
standard against the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) version 7.2 benchmarking requirements for
the sub-scope Fruit and Vegetables and the scope Aquaculture, and to gain recognition for the Hop
sub-scope, an updated version of IFA was published on 21 February 2020. This version (IFA v5.3-GFS)
became obligatory from 21 May 2020 for those users supplying customers who demand compliance with a
GFSI-recognized standard.
IFA v5.3-GFS will remain benchmarked against GFSI v7.2 until a new version is recognized.
Introduction of V5.4-GFS
In February 2020, the new GFSI v2020 benchmarking requirements were published. To
retain recognition under GFSI v2020, further changes to the GLOBALG.A.P. IFA v5.3-GFS are needed.
As a result, a new IFA version (v5.4-GFS) was published on 15 July 2020.
GLOBALG.A.P. is applying for GFSI benchmarking for this version, and once it is achieved in
2021, the IFA v5.3-GFS will be replaced with v5.4-GFS as the GFSI-recognized standard for new
audits for Aquaculture & Fruit and Vegetables.
A note on IFA V5.2
IFA v5.2 will continue to be valid (but no longer GFSI-recognized) until IFA v6 is published
in 2021.
In summary, there will be two parallel valid versions of IFA until v6 is
introduced: