GLOBALG.A.P. delays launch of new IFA standard

According to a statement issued by the certification body: “We have seen a very successful first round of public consultation. Hundreds of people have taken part in our ongoing World Consultation Tour and we have received over 1000 comments. Nevertheless, the coronavirus pandemic has hindered participation from many important parties, such as certification bodies and focus groups. Rather than launch a standard which is not fully consulted and tested, the GLOBALG.A.P. Board has decided to extend the timeline of development. The extension will allow more time for stakeholders to give their input and more time for sufficient testing. Field trials, which are critical for testing the new approach on farm level and assessing its audibility before the launch, and a third public consultation period will take place in 2021.”

The launch of version 6 was originally planned for September 2021, with obligatory implementation as of September 2022. The timeline has now been extended as follows: The second draft will be available for the second consultation phase in December 2020. The second round of the World Consultation Tour will also begin in December 2020 and continue into the new year. The field trials – originally planned for December 2020 to Jan 2021 – will take place in May to June 2021, alongside an additional public consultation period (#3).

Version 6 will be finalised and published in April 2022, with the usual transition period of one year. It will therefore become obligatory in April 2023.