GLOBALG.A.P. IFA v6 Smart and GFS Editions Explained

IFA (Integrated Farm Assurance) is GLOBALG.A.P.’s flagship certification of plants and aquaculture products. In line with its holistic approach, the scheme includes requirements that ensure not only product safety, but also environmental sustainability and efficiency of farming practices, fair treatment of farm workers, product traceability and humane treatment of animals.

Currently, IFA has two scopes—plants and aquaculture—that cover seven product categories:

• For four of them, v6 is already available. These are IFA for fruits and vegetables, IFA for flowers and ornamentals, IFA for hops for the brewing industry and IFA for aquaculture.
• For two of them, v6 is currently under development. These are IFA for combinable crops and IFA for plant propagation materials.
• For one of them, IFA for tea, there will be no v6, as it will be integrated into a new product category in 2024.

IFA v6 brings several updates. Here are some of the most important ones:

• A transition from a prescriptive to a result-oriented approach. For each requirement, the standard describes the outcome that must be achieved, rather than the exact actions to take.
• More Major Musts and fewer Minor Musts. To achieve certification, producers must comply with 100% of Major Musts and at least 95% of Minor Musts. Version 6 includes more major requirements than before.
• A stronger focus on environmental sustainability. Version 6 includes more requirements that aim at the restoration of ecosystems and the reduction of greenhouse gases, food waste, plastics use and deforestation.
• A continuous improvement plan. Version 6 requires the adoption of a continuous improvement plan as way to push producers to go beyond simply complying with a set of requirements, towards increased efficiency and sustainability of their practices based on data.

On Dec 31, 2024, GLOBALG.A.P. phased out the following standards:

• IFA v5.2 for fruit and vegetables
• IFA v5.2 for flowers and ornamentals
• IFA v5.2 for aquaculture
• IFA v5.2 for hops
• IFA v.5.3-GFS for hops

These versions were replaced by IFA v6 Smart, which became mandatory on January 1, 2024.

IFA v5.4-1-GFS for fruits and vegetables and for aquaculture are still available for audit and are recommended for those who require certification with GFSI recognition. For both sub-scopes, v5.4-1-GFS will be replaced by v6 GFS once this achieves GFSI recognition, which is estimated for Q3 of 2024 (a transition period will be announced in due course). Certificates achieved before v6 GFS becomes obligatory will remain valid and GFSI-recognized for their full cycle.

IFA v6 Smart is suitable for those producers who are not required to have a GFSI-recognized certification, but still want to be able to demonstrate good agricultural practices. Although it’s based on the same principles as v6 GFS, v6 Smart has more flexible rules. For example:

• It doesn’t require unannounced audits.
• It allows for remote audits as an emergency procedure in cases of recertification (not for initial certification).
• It allows more justified reasons for extending the certification validity.
• It’s less prescriptive and more outcome-based.
• Some of the requirements that are Major Musts in v6 GFS are Minor Musts in v6 Smart.

As GLOBALG.A.P. explained, the need for two editions of IFA v6 emerged during the extensive public consultation conducted for the standard revision. While the majority of industry experts requested a more flexible and outcome-oriented IFA, other stakeholders continue to require a GFSI-recognized standard.

If you are on IFA v5 for fruits and vegetables, aquaculture, hops, or flowers and ornamentals, your next audit will be based on v6 Smart, unless you need a GFSI-recognized certification for fruits and vegetables or aquaculture. In that case, your audit will be based on 5.4-1-GFS until v6 GFS achieves GFSI recognition.

If you are on IFS v5 for combinable crops or plant propagation material, the version will continue to be available for audit until v6 is launched.

If you are on IFA v5 for tea, the version will continue to be available until the standard is incorporated into a new product category. There will be no version 6.

Below is a summary of the available IFA versions and editions for each product type.

As a GLOBALG.A.P. accredited certification body, NSF provides audit and certification services for all IFA v6 certifications within the plant scope and for the v5 GFS editions within the plant and aquaculture scopes.

In fact, in January 2024, NSF was the first Certification Body to establish an Application Programming Interface (API) connection to the GG IT systems to issue the first IFA v6 SMART certificate following an audit at Roberto Faillace, a producer of oranges, strawberries and lemons in Southern Italy.

If you’re new to the IFA certification or you need to renew it, you can count on the experience of our local NSF auditors.