GLOBALG.A.P. I.F.A version 6.0 issue on September 29, 2022 applies to the scope of “fruits and vegetables, flowers, hops and aquaculture”, the mandatory requirement applies from January 1, 2024. After this time, versions 5.2, 5.3-GFS, 5.4-1-GFS will expire and will no longer be certified.
GLOBALG.A.P. I.F.A version 6.0 exists in parallel with 2 versions for manufacturers to choose, including: “I.F.A Version 6 Smart” suitable for most manufacturers and “I.F.A Version 6 GFS” for businesses that need GLOBALG.A.P. certification recognized by the GFSI. The new version has more advantages with a more "smart" checklist, based on specific risks for manufacturers, an output-oriented approach and standards for impact factors.
Following the current trend of adding sustainability content to most standards in general, GLOBALG.A.P. version 6.0 also focuses more on sustainability criteria with additional provisions for this content. The new version requires manufacturers to have a mandatory continuous improvement plans introduced at producer level New and updated sustainability criteria on topics such as plastics, waste, carbon neutrality, deforestation, and animal welfare with a new approach based on the impact of product range and categories in the aquaculture and fruit and vegetable groups
In addition, the GLOBALG.A.P standard. I.F.A version 6.0 also adds a Biodiversity provision to scope "fruit and vegetable" to promote biodiversity during farming. This will help supply chain participants better aware how to assess science term -based biodiversity criteria