Core solution
Integrated Farm Assurance for combinable crops
Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) for combinable crops is a global standard for responsible farming practices at all stages of production. It is built on a holistic approach that covers the key topics of food safety, environmental sustainability, workers’ well-being, production processes, and traceability.
GLOBALG.A.P.’s flagship standard
What is Integrated Farm Assurance for combinable crops?
Developed by the industry, for the industry, Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) for combinable crops is a global standard that addresses the unique farm-level needs of combinable crop producers. It covers all stages of production and a wide range of machine-harvested crops such as grains, pulses, fodder, and extracts (oil, sugar, starch, etc.) for either cooked or processed consumption by humans or animals, or for use in industry. The standard provides clarity on market requirements and facilitates a long-term holistic approach to farm operations. IFA is tried, tested, and trusted across the globe, with GLOBALG.A.P. certified production processes for combinable crops covering almost 240,000 hectares annually.
IFA for combinable crops at a glance
Covers all stages of production,
from plant propagation material to postharvest handling
Relevant for a wide range
of machine-harvested crops, from grains and pulses to fodder and extracts such as oils
Certification options
for a variety of farm sizes and types, including smallholders and producer groups
Implemented worldwide
with a global network of approved CBs and Registered Trainers
Easily combinable
with a range of targeted add-ons and supply chain solutions for flexible assurance customization
Offers globally recognized
certification for producers already assessed to the Primary Farm Assurance (PFA) standard
Covers all stages of production,
from plant propagation material to postharvest handling
Implemented worldwide
with a global network of approved CBs and Registered Trainers
Relevant for a wide range
of machine-harvested crops, from grains and pulses to fodder and extracts such as oils
Easily combinable
with a range of targeted add-ons and supply chain solutions for flexible assurance customization
Certification options
for a variety of farm sizes and types, including smallholders and producer groups
Offers globally recognized
certification for producers already assessed to the Primary Farm Assurance (PFA) standard
Which topics does IFA for combinable crops address?
IFA for combinable crops covers all major aspects of production, from preharvest activities to postharvest handling. The standard has been developed together with sector experts and the GLOBALG.A.P. technical committees and focus groups ,and underwent extensive public consultation as part of our standard setting process. This ensures that IFA remains robust, realistic, and cost-efficient for producers while meeting the evolving demands of buyers.
Core topics in IFA version 5.2 for combinable crops include:
Conservation
Food defense
Food fraud mitigation
Hygiene
Mass balance
Recall/Withdrawal procedure
Site history and site management
Traceability and segregation
Waste and pollution management
Workers’ health, safety, and welfare
Discover more about how IFA helps you address challenges in the agricultural sector .
Who should use IFA for combinable crops?
IFA for combinable crops is available for the entire spectrum of producers worldwide. The standard can be applied to both covered and uncovered production.
It offers certification options for both individual producers (single site and multisite producers) and producer groups, including smallholders. Producers can get certification in any country where a GLOBALG.A.P. approved certification body (CB) conducts audits.
How does IFA for combinable crops work?
Compliance with the standard requirements is audited annually by an accredited and independent third-party CB.
Producers can choose from any GLOBALG.A.P. approved CB active in the relevant country.
A successful audit results in a certificate valid for one year.
The standard is composed of control points and compliance criteria (CPCCs). CPCCs are graded in three levels: Major Must, Minor Must, and Recommendation.
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 required for demonstrating that the outcome is achieved
Read more about the audit process and standard requirements .
How is certification status verified?
Every producer registered in the GLOBALG.A.P. certification system is assigned a unique 13-digit GLOBALG.A.P. identification number (e.g., a GLOBALG.A.P. Number (GGN)). This number allows real-time verification of certification 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 the reports are not shared publicly or with third parties. This process is handled via your chosen CB.
Latest news
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.
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.
