| 1 | Objective |
| 1.1 | This procedure provides ANAB guidelines for the processing of certification body applications for accreditation in accordance with GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) sector requirements. |
| 1.2 | This procedure applies to the rules and guidelines to which certification bodies shall comply, and the audit/testing/inspection criteria, which certification bodies shall verify, in order to maintain ANAB accreditation in accordance with GLOBALG.A.P. - IFA requirements for all sector scopes and product sub-scopes. |
| 2 | Definitions |
| 2.1 | As a general rule, definitions of ISO/IEC 17000 and ISO 9000 (latest editions) are applicable. Additionally, GLOBALG.A.P. - IFA - General Regulations-current version's definitions are applicable. |
| 3 | Scope of Accreditation |
| 3.1 | GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) covers Good Agricultural Practices for agriculture, aquaculture, livestock and horticulture production. It also covers additional aspects of the food production and supply chain such as Chain of Custody and Compound Feed Manufacturing. GLOBALG.A.P. IFA is built on a system of modules that enables producers to get certified. |
| 3.1.1 | 3.1.1 GLOBALG.A.P. Modules |
| a) | All Farm Base Module |
| The All Farm Base Module consists of all the requirements that all producers must first comply with to gain certification in accordance with GLOBALG.A.P. GLOBALG.A.P. covers three scopes under the All Farm Base Module, which are as follows: |
| 1) | Crops |
| 2) | Livestock |
| 3) | Aquaculture |
| b) | Chain of Custody |
| c) | Compound Feed Manufacturers |
| d) | Plant Propagation Materials |
| e) | Livestock Transport |
| f) | Produce Safety Assurance |
| g) | Harmonized Produce Safety Standard: Crops Base (Fruits & Vegetables)
|
| h) | Produce Handling Standard |
| 3.2 | Certification Options |
| a) | Option 1: Single producer with or without an optional Quality Management System |
| b) | Option 2: Multiple producers with a mandatory Quality Management System
|
| 4 | Accreditation Requirements |
| 4.1 | Procedures and processes to accredit certification bodies are in accordance with ANAB requirements and the GLOBALG.A.P. certification scheme for product sector scopes and sub-scopes. |
| 4.2 | ANAB Requirements |
| 4.2.1 | In order to be eligible for accreditation the applicant or accredited certification body (ACB) shall comply with ANAB requirements and the applicable GLOBALG.A.P. normative documents. |
| 4.2.2 | International consistency is further reinforced by ANAB's adherence to the requirements of the International Accreditation Forum, Inc., the Asia Specific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC), and the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC). |
| 4.2.3 | ANAB, as a recognized accreditation body, shall ensure that accredited certification bodies for GLOBALG.A.P. sector scopes and sub scopes shall meet the requirements contained in ANAB policy and procedures and the applicable GLOBALG.A.P. normative documents. |
| 4.3 | GLOBALG.A.P. Accreditation Requirements |
| 4.3.1 | Administrative and operational requirements for the GLOBALG.A.P. certification scheme are described in the GLOBALG.A.P. normative documents which include the: |
| a) | General Regulations for Integrated Farm Assurance (GR-IFA) |
| b) | License and Certification Agreement |
| c) | Sublicense and Certification Agreement |
| d) | Control Points and Compliance Criteria (CPCC) |
| e) | Inspection Checklists (CL) |
| f) | Approved National Interpretation Guidelines |
| g) | Benchmarking contractual agreement(s) |
| h) | GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations Part III - Certification Bodies and Accreditation Bodies Rules |
| 4.3.2 | The accreditable sector scopes and sub-scopes of accreditation are described in the GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations IFA. |
| 4.4 | GFSI Requirements |
| 4.4.1 | ANAB and the applicant or accredited body shall implement GFSI Requirements on the Application of ISO/IEC 17011:2017, Conformity Assessment-Requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies. |
| 5 | Accreditation |
| 5.1 | ANAB provides information to the applicant or ACB on all conditions for ANAB accreditation in accordance with ANAB and GLOBALG.A.P. requirements. Documents, which ANAB provides to the applicant certification body, are listed in PRO-PR-112: Information on the Application Process and on the GLOBALG.A.P. website (GLOBALG.A.P link ). |
| 5.2 | The applicant CB may apply for a pre-assessment, which is conducted in accordance with ANAB procedures. |
| 5.3 | Prior to ANAB's acceptance of the ANAB Preliminary Letter of Application for Accreditation to the GLOBALG.A.P. certification program, the applicant for initial accreditation shall submit to ANAB the signed GLOBALG.A.P. License and Certification Agreement. |
| 5.3.1 | ANAB staff conducts the analysis of the Preliminary Letter of Application for Accreditation in accordance with PRO-PL-102: Manual of Operations for Accreditation of Product Certification Programs. Applicants that are considered to comply with the eligibility requirements for accreditation are sent an ANAB application package. |
| 5.3.2 | The compliant applicant CB or ACB shall inform ANAB of the requested GLOBALG.A.P. scope(s), sub-scope(s) and Option(s) for accreditation by submitting: |
| a) | The completed PRO-FR-104: Application for Accreditation of Certification Bodies |
| b) | A copy of the applicant CB or ACB quality manual and list of certification program documents with dates of approval/issuance and revision. |
| 5.3.3 | The applicant or ACB shall also complete and submit additional application forms to ANAB to continue the process for GLOBALG.A.P. accreditation: |
| 5.3.3.1 | The applicant or ACB shall indicate that each requirement of ISO/IEC 17065 and are addressed within its documents by completion of PRO-FR-105 checklist. |
| 5.3.3.2 | The applicant or ACB shall indicate that each requirement of GLOBALG.A.P. IFA for certification bodies are addressed in its documents by completion of PRO-FR-105 checklist. |
| 5.4 | Review and Acceptance of the Certification Body Application |
| 5.4.1 | Upon receiving the CB applicant completed application and fee for initial accreditation or scope expansion, ANAB staff shall verify that the application is complete and acknowledge that the applicant has the potential to meet the ANAB accreditation criteria. |
| 5.4.2 | The reviewing ANAB staff member notifies the applicant CB or ACB of the acceptance of the application for initial accreditation or scope expansion for the GLOBALG.A.P. certification scheme. |
| 5.4.3 | The applicant CB or ACB must forward to the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat the ANAB confirmation of application for initial accreditation or scope expansion/reduction for the GLOBALG.A.P. certification scheme. |
| 5.4.4 | ANAB staff will review the documents submitted by the applicant and check if the documents addressed the GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations Part III - Certification Bodies and Accreditation bodies. |
| 6 | Assessment Team Assignment and Schedule |
| 6.1 | In accordance with the complexity of the applicant or ACB requested accreditation for the GLOBALG.A.P. certification program (sector and sub-scopes) and in accordance with ANAB requirements, ANAB staff determines the number of assessment days to assign to the ANAB assessment team. |
| 6.2 | ANAB staff selects the assessment team based on the applicable ANAB Competencies criteria. |
| 7 | Assessment Team Preparation |
| 7.1 | The ANAB assessment team plans and prepares for the onsite assessment in accordance with PRO-PR-145, PRO-PR-146, and the GLOBALG.A.P. certification program requirements. The assessment team must conduct the assessment at the applicant or ACB headquarters and at the other locations where key certification activities are conducted. |
| 7.2 | Document Review |
| 7.2.1 | ANAB staff shall request a password from GLOBALG.A.P. to provide the technical assessor with access to the GLOBALG.A.P. CB/AB extranet. |
| 7.2.2 | The technical assessor shall verify applicant CB and ACB data on the GLOBALG.A.P. CB/AB extranet. |
| 7.2.3 | The ANAB lead assessor shall review the applicant or ACB Quality Manual/process/procedures and the following documents and forms: |
| a) | PRO-FR-104: Application for Accreditation of Certification Bodies |
| b) | PRO-FR-105: Checklist for ANAB Accreditation Requirements: ISO/IEC 17065 |
| c) | GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations Part III - Certification Bodies and Accreditation bodies (latest version). |
| 7.2.4 | The technical assessor shall review and compare the applicant CB or ACB Quality Manual and list of documents for the GLOBALG.A.P. certification program with the information provided by the applicant CB on the: |
| 7.2.4.1 | PRO-FR-104: Application for Accreditation of Certification Bodies (requested scope of accreditation) |
| 7.2.4.2 | PRO-FR-105: Checklist for Accreditation Requirements: ISO/IEC 17065 |
| 7.2.4.3 | GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations Part III - Certification Bodies and Accreditation bodies (latest version). |
| 7.2.4.4 | The technical assessor must address the following during the assessment: |
| a) | The technical assessor must add content to the technical assessor report related to the adherence of the CB documentation to ISO/IEC 17065, ANAB requirements and the GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations Part III - Certification Body and Accreditation Rules (latest version). |
| b) | Topics related to GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations Part III - Certification Bodies and Accreditation bodies Rules (latest version). |
| c) | The technical assessor will review the GLOBALG.A.P. extranet for the GLOBALG.A.P. latest integrity program report and complaint management system and report on the outcome of the review to include: |
| 1) | License and Certification Agreement |
| 2) | Certification Body approval process |
| 3) | Operational requirements |
| i. | Training and qualification of Staff |
| ii. | CB Certification Data Communication with GLOBALG.A.P. |
| iii. | Independence, Impartiality, Confidentiality and Integrity of the applicant or ACB (See Lead assessor report related to ISO/IEC 17065) |
| 4) | Producer registration and acceptance |
| i. | Application review by the CB |
| 5) | Assessment Process (Inspection) |
| 6) | Certification Process |
| i. | Information field |
| ii. | Option 1 multisite with no QMS |
| iii. | Review CB report |
| iv. | For Producer groups and multisite producers with QMS |
| v. | Inspection/audit checklist |
| vi. | Inspection/audit duration |
| vii. | Unannounced Inspection |
| viii. | Certification review and decision |
| 7) | Transfer between Certification Bodies |
| 8) | Certification body Sanctions and Integrity Program
|
| 8 | Conducting the Initial Assessment |
| 8.1 | Initial assessments are conducted at the applicant's head office facility and at other locations that perform key activities related to the certification process (Reference: PRO-PL-102). |
| 8.2 | Onsite Assessments |
| 8.2.1 | The onsite assessment is conducted in accordance with PRO-PL-102, PRO-PR-145, and PRO-PR-146. During the onsite assessment at the applicant or ACB headquarters the lead assessor and technical assessor will have unique roles and responsibilities. |
| 8.2.2 | The lead assessor shall verify that the applicant or ACB is administrating and operating its certification program in conformance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17065, ANAB policies and GLOBALG.A.P. requirements. The lead assessor shall record evidence of conformity/nonconformity on the: |
| a) | PRO-FR-105 Checklist for Accreditation Requirements |
| 8.2.3 | The technical assessor shall verify that the applicant or ACB is administrating and operating the GLOBALG.A.P. certification program in conformance with the requirements of the GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations and any Benchmarked Scheme(s). The technical assessor will use during the assessment the GLOBALG.A.P. requirements including the GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations Part III - Certification Bodies and Accreditation bodies. |
| 8.2.3.1 | The technical assessor shall review with the GLOBALG.A.P. Scheme Manager the CB directory of producers/producer groups with certified/registered products for each sector scope and sub-scope which have: |
| a) | registered/certified for each scope and sub-scope |
| b) | transferred from or are certified by more than one Certification Body |
| c) | renewed certification or not registered for recertification |
| d) | received sanctions |
| e) | been suspended or have withdrawn certification |
| 8.2.3.2 | The technical assessor shall review, if applicable, the CIPRO audit reports with the GLOBALG.A.P. Scheme Manager to verify implementation of any needed corrective actions. |
| 8.2.3.3 | The technical assessor shall review the applicant or ACB audit/inspection records to verify compliance with the GLOBALG.A.P. requirements, and shall record evidence of conformity/non-conformity on the: |
| a) | PRO-FR-105 Checklist for Accreditation Requirements: ISO/IEC 17065 |
| b) | GLOBALG.A.P. General Regulations Part III - Certification Bodies and Accreditation bodies (latest version). |
| 8.3 | Conducting the Closing Meeting |
| 8.3.1 | At the closing meeting the ANAB assessment team shall review and discuss any issued nonconformities and/or opportunities for improvement with the CB applicant or ACB in accordance with ANAB procedures. The assessment team will inform the applicant during the closing meeting if the applicant's conformance to ANAB and GLOBALG.A.P. requirements. The findings will be provided to the applicant. |
| 9 | Conducting the ANAB Witness Assessment |
| 9.1 | The technical assessor shall conduct a witness assessment(s) of the applicant or ACB auditor/inspector in accordance with PRO-PR-119 to verify the competency of the CB auditor/inspector and the proper implementation of the GLOBALG.A.P. certification program. |
| 9.1.1 | ANAB shall follow internal procedures to define the number and frequency of witness assessments. |
| 9.2 | GLOBALG.A.P. Option 1 Witness Assessment |
| 9.2.1 | The technical assessor shall verify that the applicant or ACB auditor/inspector is correctly implementing the inspection in conformance with the GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for Option 1. |
| 9.2.2 | The technical assessor shall verify that the CB auditor/inspector is utilizing the appropriate GLOBALG.A.P. CPCC checklists for the sector scope and product sub-scope of the inspection. |
| 9.3 | GLOBALG.A.P. Option 2 Witness Assessment |
| 9.3.1 | The technical assessor shall verify that the applicant or ACB auditor/inspector is correctly implementing the audit/inspections in conformance with the GLOBALG.A.P. requirements for Option 2. |
| 9.3.2 | The technical assessor shall verify that the applicant or ACB auditor/inspection selects the individual members of the producer group to be inspected/audited after the QMS audit has been conducted. |
| 9.3.3 | The technical assessor shall verify that the applicant or ACB auditor/inspector is utilizing the appropriate GLOBALG.A.P. checklists for the QMS producer group audit and the CPCC individual producer member inspections for the sector scope and product sub-scope of the audit/inspection. |
| 10 | Identifying Nonconformities |
| 10.1 | The assessment team shall present their findings to the CB applicant or ACB at the end of each day. |
| 10.2 | The assessment team shall post to ANSICA any issued nonconformities, and or opportunities for improvement in accordance with PRO-PR-106. |
| 11 | Developing the Assessment Report |
| 11.1 | When an ANAB lead assessor and technical assessor are members of an assessment team, they each shall submit an assessment report that must include any issued nonconformities and/or opportunities for improvement. If the assessment team determines that the applicant or ACB does not demonstrate conformance with the full range of the requested scope(s), the assessment team shall include such a statement in the report. |
| 11.2 | The ANAB lead assessor shall develop an assessment report using the PRO-TP-101. |
| 11.3 | The ANAB technical assessor shall develop an assessment report using the PRO-TP-102. |
| 12 | Conducting the Surveillance and Reassessment |
| 12.1 | ANAB surveillance assessments and reassessments of the ACB are conducted in accordance with ANAB and GLOBALG.A.P. certification program requirements. |
| 12.2 | The first surveillance assessment will be carried out no later than 12 months from the date of the initial accreditation. |
| 12.3 | GLOBALG.A.P. Unannounced Surveillance Inspections/Audits: the technical assessor shall verify, by a review of the ACB records, that the ACB is conducting the required unannounced inspections/audits for Option 1 and Option 2. |
| 13 | Reference to Accreditation and Certification Status |
| 13.1 | ANAB staff shall maintain a database of the accredited certification bodies for the approved GLOBALG.A.P. sector, product scope(s) and Option. ANAB staff shall provide the updated ACB database to the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat, upon request. |
| 13.2 | ANAB staff and assessment teams shall monitor via assessments and other methods that the ACB is in conformance with ANAB and GLOBALG.A.P. requirements. |
| 13.3 | ANAB staff and assessment team shall verify that the ACB is issuing GLOBALG.A.P. certificates of conformity in accordance with GLOBALG.A.P. requirements. |
| 13.4 | ACP staff and assessors shall monitor and guard against the misuse of the ANAB accreditation symbol and GLOBALG.A.P. certification mark. |
| 14 | Changes to ANAB Accreditation and GLOBALG.A.P. Program Requirements |
| 14.1 | ANAB staff shall provide the accredited CB with any issued changes to the ANAB accreditation and or GLOBALG.A.P. certification program. |
| NOTE: The ACB shall also take into consideration and comply with any issued GLOBALG.A.P. Approved National Interpretation Guidelines, which are periodically adopted. |
| 14.2 | ANAB staff and the assessment team shall verify via assessments or other methods that each ACB has carried out any necessary adjustments to its procedures within a reasonable time in accordance with ANAB requirements. |
| 14.3 | The technical assessor shall verify that the ACB has implemented and is in conformance with the requirements of the current version of the GLOBALG.A.P. Standard and version for the accredited scope(s) and sub-scope(s) prior to the final date of transition. |
| 15 | Decision on accreditation |
| 15.1 | The ANAB Evaluation Task Group (ETG) and Accreditation Committee are governed by and make its recommendation/ decision on accreditation of the applicant or ACB in accordance with ANAB requirements. |
| 16 | Appeals, Complaints and Disputes |
| 16.1 | Appeals, complaints, and disputes brought before the ANAB Accreditation Committee by CBs or other interested parties shall be handled in accordance with ANAB procedures. |