Extension of IFA V6 and GRASP V2 Transition Periods to January 2024

5 October 2022

As part of the standard setting procedure, GLOBALG.A.P. usually allows for a one-year transition period before a new version becomes obligatory. Following the publication of the interim final documents for IFA v6 in April 2022, this would have meant that the standard becomes obligatory in April 2023. 

Due to the global situation and after consultation with stakeholders, it was decided in June 2022, in agreement with the GLOBALG.A.P. Advisory Board, to allow for a longer transition period. The obligatory date was subsequently moved to October 2023. 

Since the publication of the final IFA v6 standard documents on 29 September 2022, we have received requests from several national technical working groupsto reevaluate the date on which IFA v6 for fruit and vegetables, flowers and ornamentals, hops, and aquaculture, as well as the GRASP add-on v2, will become obligatory. 

We have considered this feedback carefully and GLOBALG.A.P. has decided to proceed with the new obligatory date of 1 January 2024 (IFA v6 Smart). Please see the timeline below for an overview of key IFA v6 and GRASP v2 dates. 

Overview of key dates 

  • October 2022: IFA v6 and GRASP v2 final documents are published in English. Audits and assessments to these versions may begin to take place as soon as certification bodies are trained. 
  • April 2023: IFA v6 and GRASP v2 certificates/letters of conformance become available in Validation Service (English). 
  • July 2023: Gradual publication of national interpretation guidelines for IFA v6 begins. 
  • August 2023: Roll out of updated add-ons connected to IFA v6 begins – All relevant add-ons are scheduled for completion by January 2024. 
  • September 2023: IFA v6 and GRASP v2 certificates/letters of conformance and audit/assessment reports become available in Validation Service for further languages. 
  • December 2023: Last month to complete an IFA v5.2 audit or GRASP v1.3-1-i assessment 
  • January 2024: IFA v6 Smart and GRASP v2 become obligatory – No further audits or assessments may take place against IFA v5.2 or GRASP v1.3-1-i respectively. 
  • Q3–4 of 2024: IFA v6 GFS edition will become obligatory three months after GFSI recognition has been achieved. This will be approximately Q3–4 of 2024. Until then, v5.4-1-GFS is the recommended version for those needing GFSI recognized certification.
  • December 2024: The last certificates for IFA v5.2 and proof of assessment for GRASP v1.3-1-i expire.