GLOBALG.A.P. Remote: certification body and producer experience

The GLOBALG.A.P. Remote is an option for producers and certification bodies, which have affects by COVID-19 and have travel restrictions in their regions.

After the first checks carried out in accordance with the GLOBALG.A.P. Remote procedure, GLOBALG.A.P. contacted with a certification body and a producer to find out how the procedure was received locally.

The experience of the certification body

Serafeim Papadimitrioum, Scheme Manager at QMSCERT Audits Inspections Certification Ltd, Greece shared: “GLOBALG.A.P. Remote provided us with the solution that we needed to be able to audit producers in other countries, who – due to their trading agreements – requested an audit at short notice. Our clients were able to get certified on time and in a cost-effective way, therefore avoiding delays in the supply chain due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

It goes without saying that the suggested auditing methodology of documentation review, along with the virtual meetings via web tools, cameras, snap shots, videos, live streaming, and real time techniques contributed to the success of the process under these circumstances. 

The GLOBALG.A.P. Remote procedure proved to be an essential and effective audit tool, and we recommend that it be used in such extraordinary cases.”

The experience of the producer

Zlatan Zlatanov, General Manager of FRUKTALINA OOD, Bulgaria commented: “We are very happy that GLOBALG.A.P. (as the scheme owner) and our certification body QMSCERT gave us the opportunity to perform remote inspections. It was crucial for our business success, as we were able to complete our due surveillance inspections and also include a GRASP assessment, which was a mandatory request from our customer. Without this option, we risked not being able to comply with our client’s expectations – something we could not accept.”

Click here for more information about GLOBALG.A.P. Remote.

The protection of the business of GLOBALG.A.P.'s certified producers during the pandemic crisis difficult times is the achievement of this year. A review of past achievements in the midst of present challenges can be read The GLOBALG.A.P. Annual Report for 2019.

GLOBALG.A.P. also invites stakeholders and partners around the world to participate in the next round of online meetings (World Consultation Tour 2020) after the second draft for public consultation will be published in October. You can find all available sessions on GLOBALG.A.P. website.