Which topics does the SPRING add-on address?

The SPRING add-on was developed through extensive collaboration between value chain stakeholders, NGOs, and GLOBALG.A.P. technical experts. Our approach to standard setting ensures that GLOBALG.A.P. smart farm assurance solutions remain robust, realistic, and cost-efficient, while meeting the evolving demands of buyer

Core topics in SPRING v2 are divided into four sections, including: 

Assessment of water risks and objectives 

• Water risk assessment for farms and produce handling units

• Documented overview of water stakeholders in the watershed

• Water management plan

• Staff training
   

Assessment of legal compliance

• Current legal requirements and land use

• Documentation of flow rates

• Buildings and water infrastructure

• Identification of water sources
   

Management and use of water resources

• Water distribution and irrigation plan

• Water measurement system and consumptions records

• Sustainable governance of watershed

• Rainwater recovery and storage
   

Environmental management: Protecting water sources

• Wastewater management

• Natural surface water and biodiversity protection

• Erosion mitigation

• Energy efficiency assessment

Discover how the SPRING add-on helps you to address challenges in the agricultural sector.

How does SPRING work?

• Compliance with the add-on requirements is audited annually by an accredited and independent third-party CB in combination with the IFA audit (or an audit to a benchmarked scheme/checklist).

• Producers have the freedom to choose which CB they use (although it must be the same CB conducting both audits).

• A successful audit results in a letter of conformance valid for one year.

• The relevant national interpretation guidelines (NIGs) are required from January 2025.

Standard content is formed of principles and criteria (P&Cs). Criteria are graded in two levels: Major Must and Minor Must.

Principles

• Fundamentals that set the foundation of a GLOBALG.A.P. requirement

• Written in statement form

• Describe the outcome to achieve in the corresponding criteria

Criteria

• Methods that producers can use to demonstrate a principle to be true

• Compliance can be demonstrated in different ways, e.g., data, record of procedure, etc.

• Evidence must demonstrate that the outcome is achieved

Read more about the audit process and compliance requirements.

How is conformance status verified?

Every producer registered in the GLOBALG.A.P. certification system is assigned a 13-digit GLOBALG.A.P. identification number (e.g., a GLOBALG.A.P. Number (GGN)). This number allows real-time verification of conformance 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.

Which challenges does SPRING address in the agricultural sector?

• Water risks in primary agriculture are receiving a higher degree of attention in supply chains.

• In the context of a rapidly growing global population and the frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts, water scarcity and food security are deeply interconnected.

• As a result, sector transformation is increasingly expected by both civil society and major retail and food production chains – highlighting the need for coordinated action from all stakeholders.

• Industry solutions are therefore needed to monitor and demonstrate how agricultural enterprises promote and enhance responsible water management at farm level.

• The SPRING add-on is an affordable solution for a range of farms with Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) certification for plants, complementing rather than competing with existing audit systems.

Follow our five steps to SPRING to get started today.

Which solutions can be combined with SPRING?

The SPRING add-on is designed to be paired with IFA certification. Audits are combined, allowing producers to flexibly and efficiently extend their certification scope through a single audit.

Learn more about GLOBALG.A.P. core solutions.

Implementation and CB audit process

How does the audit process work?

• Designed to complement existing GLOBALG.A.P. certification, SPRING compliance is audited annually by accredited and independent third-party CBs in combination with the IFA audit.

• Producers can choose from any GLOBALG.A.P. approved CB active in the relevant country/region – the same CB which conducts your IFA audit must also conduct the SPRING audit.

• A successful CB audit results in a letter of conformance valid for one year.

• The CB is responsible for uploading the audit report and maintaining the accuracy of producer data in the GLOBALG.A.P. IT systems.

• Producers must undergo an on-site audit each year as part of the renewal process.

Which documents are required?

• General regulations specifications: Rules that define how the audit process works, from the scope of the respective standard to the audit requirements.

• Principles and criteria: Principles are the fundamentals for GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for each standard. They describe the outcome to achieve, and are accompanied by corresponding criteria that detail the various ways in which a producer can demonstrate compliance.

• Checklist: The full list of add-on criteria as used by CB auditors, enabling producers to perform a self-assessment in preparation for the on-site audit.

Which version of SPRING is currently valid?

SPRING is currently in transition from version 1.1-1 to version 2. There are two valid versions available for audit:

• V2 was published on 5 September 2023. It must be combined with IFA v6 Smart/GFS from 1 January 2024.

• V1.1-1 was published in February 2020, replacing the previous versions in May 2020. It remains available to combine with IFA v5.2 for combinable crops and IFA v5.2 for plant propagation material only.

The SPRING FAQs contain more information on documents, certification renewal, and more.

How much does a SPRING audit cost?

Each farm is unique, and the total costs of assessment depend on a combination of factors such as farm size, number of sites, location, necessary preparation measures (such as establishing new procedures), and more. In general, SPRING contains three cost elements:

1. Implementation costs: Incurred by producers to prepare for the CB audit

2. CB service fees: Determined and invoiced by the CB to cover audit time and travel costs

3. GLOBALG.A.P. license fee: Calculated based on audit option

The GLOBALG.A.P. fee table contains full information on the fee structure for each solution.