Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
Global Markets Programme
Protocol
Primary Production
GFSI Global Markets Programme
Protocol
Introduction
This protocol has been developed to guide companies through the programme. It provides guidance for assessment against the Basic
and Intermediate Level food safety requirements to attain the goal of reaching full certification to a GFSI recognised scheme. On a practical level,
it sets out an overview of how to register for the programme, which documents are to be used at which stage of the process, and the steps
which involve certification bodies or assessment service providers. The protocol should be used as an indicative user guide in relation to the
following four key phases of the Global Markets Programme:
(1) Self Assessment: A self-assessment by the Primary Producer against Basic and/or Intermediate Level Checklist to allow the Primary Producer
to decide its entry level to the programme. Subject to the outcome of the self-assessment, the Primary Producer should pass to either
phase 2 (Basic Level Assessment), phase 3 (Intermediate Level Assessment), or phase 4 (certification against a GFSI recognised scheme).
(2) Assessment with Assessment Provider: Basic Level: An unaccredited assessment of a Primary Producer is carried out against the requirements
specified in the Basic Level Checklist. The technical requirements at this level are comprised of 40% of the key elements of the GFSI Guidance
Document, including Food Safety Systems, Good Agricultural Practices and Control of Food Hazards
(3) Assessment with Assessment Provider: Intermediate Level: An unaccredited assessment of a Primary Producer is carried out against
Intermediate Level Checklist, which include the Basic Level requirements and a further 20% of the GFSI Guidance Document elements.
(4) Certification against a GFSI recognized scheme: The official accredited certification against one of the GFSI recognized schemes.
This protocol and the documents referred to in it are subject to the terms of the Disclaimer and the Logo Usage Guideline included in the
appendix to this document.
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© Global Food Safety Initiative Foundation
Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
Global Markets Programme
Protocol
Primary Production
Phase 1: Self Assessment
Process
Step
Step Description
Responsibility
Information to the Process Steps
1
Download Information Pack
Primary Producer/GFSI
1. All the necessary information on the GFSI Global Markets
Programme is available and can be downloaded free of charge
from www.mygfsi.com following a short registration process.
2. Mission statement: A tool for Primary Producers to drive
the continuous improvement process in food safety
management systems, achieving food safety requirements in a
phased approach and ultimately gain certification against one
of the GFSI recognized schemes.
3. Scope: The scope of the Primary Production Programme is
the Farming of Plants and the farming of Grains and Pulses.
Scope extensions will, where appropriate, be made available
on www.mygfsi.com.
4. It is up to the Primary Producer at which entry point they
will start:
• Basic Level Assessment
• Intermediate Level Assessment
• Certification against one of the GFSI recognized
schemes.
2
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Self Assessment (Voluntary)
Primary Producer
(Voluntary)
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Conduct a self-assessment by using the Basic and
Intermediate Checklist, this voluntary step is intended to allow
the Primary Producer to carry out their own gap analysis
process and develop a remedial action plan.
© Global Food Safety Initiative Foundation
Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
Global Markets Programme
3
Entry Level Decision
Protocol
Primary Production
Primary Producer
1. The assessment shall cover the identified scopes of the
agricultural operation and products within the control of that
Primary Producer.
2. The Primary Producer is free to determine for itself its point
of entry:
• Basic Level Assessment (Phase 2);
• Intermediate Level Assessment (Phase 3); or
• Certification (Phase 4).
Phase 2: Assessment with Assessment Provider: Basic Level
4
Schedule Assessment with
Assessment Provider
Primary Producer and
Retail / Industry / Food
Service
A. In the case of a voluntary decision of the Primary Producer
to submit to an assessment against the Basic level, the
assessor should at least comply with the minimum
competency requirements described under section 5.
B. In cases where the Primary Producer has received a written
request from a customer (for example, a retailer or business)
requesting an assessment from a specific, named Assessment
Provider, that Assessment Provider shall be used.
5
Assessment Basic Level
(Unaccredited)
Assessment Provider
1. The Assessment Provider will carry out an unaccredited
assessment against Basic Level Checklist. The duration of
the assessment depends on the nature and complexity of
the Primary Producer and typically takes half to 1 day
(including reporting).
2. The assessor will provide guidance on compliance with the
requirements of Basic Level. The Primary Producer shall
demonstrate full compliance to a requirement in order for the
assessor to mark the requirement as meeting requirement. All
requirements shall apply and be assessed. Where exclusions
are made, these need to be justified by a hazard assessment.
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Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
Global Markets Programme
Protocol
Primary Production
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Assessment
Result
Assessment Provider
7
Assessment Provider provides
report to Primary Producer and
Primary Producer implements
actions
Assessment Provider/
Primary Producer
3. Typical assessor competencies should include:
• Ability to speak the local language.
• A basic knowledge of good agricultural practices
• Knowledge of the applicable laws and regulations
• Have understanding of the Codex HACCP principles
and basic knowledge of one of the GFSI recognized
schemes.
• Have at least 2 years of working experience in the
agricultural industry.
The assessor shall decide upon the final result of the
assessment and shall inform the Primary Producer on the day
of the assessment, as follows:
• Pass- no major non-conformities and no more than 2
minor nonconformities of the Basic Level
requirements (in all sections A, B or C).
• Fail- 1 or more major non-conformities or more than 2
minor non-conformities of the Basic Level
requirements (in all sections A, B or C).
1. An assessment report (including an assessment summary)
should be provided at the end of the assessment to give the
Primary Producer a better insight into the findings of the
assessment.
2. The report shall be provided according to the GFSI Global
Market format, including:
• information in relation to overall performance;
• details of the facility and its operation;
• a clear description of areas of non compliance; and
identifying where improvements can be made and
recommendations for corrective action.
3. The Primary Producer will receive a report and
comprehensive assessment summary. No certificate shall be
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© Global Food Safety Initiative Foundation
Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
Global Markets Programme
Protocol
Primary Production
issued.
4. The Primary Producer should implement corrective action
and make provision to progress to meet Basic Level and/or
Intermediate Level Checklist, where possible, within 12
months.
Phase 3: Assessment with Assessment Provider: Basic and Intermediate Level
8
Schedule Assessment with
Assessment Provider
Primary Producer and
Retail / Industry / Food
Service
A. In the case of a voluntary decision of the Primary Producer
to submit to an assessment against the Basic and Intermediate
level, the assessor should at least comply with the minimum
competency requirements described under section 9.
B. In cases where the Primary Producer has received a written
request from a customer (for example, a retailer or business)
requesting an assessment from a specific, named Assessment
Provider, that Assessment Provider shall be used.
9
Assessment
Basic Leven + Intermediate Level
(Unaccredited)
Assessment Provider
1. The Assessment Provider will carry out an unaccredited
assessment against the Intermediate Level Checklist. The
duration of the assessment depends on the nature and
complexity of the Primary Producer and typically takes 1.5
days (including reporting).
2. The assessor will provide guidance on compliance with the
Intermediate Level Checklist.
3. The Primary Producer shall demonstrate full compliance to
a requirement in order for the assessor to mark the
requirement as meeting requirement. All requirements shall
apply and be assessed.
4. Typical assessor competencies should include:
• Ability to speak the local language.
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© Global Food Safety Initiative Foundation
Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
Global Markets Programme
Protocol
Primary Production
•
•
•
10
Assessment
Result
Assessment Provider
11
Assessment Provider provides
report to Primary Producer and
Primary Producer implements
actions
Assessment Provider/
Primary Producer
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A basic knowledge of good agricultural practices
Knowledge of the applicable laws and regulations
Have understanding of the Codex HACCP principles
and basic knowledge of one of the GFSI recognized
schemes.
• Have at least 2 years of working experience in the
agricultural industry.
The assessor shall decide upon the final result of the
assessment and shall inform the Primary Producer on the day
of the assessment, as follows:
• Pass- no major non-conformities and no more than 2
minor non-conformities of the Basic Level
requirements (in all sections A, B and C) and no more
than 2 non-conformities of the Intermediate Level
requirements (in all sections A, B and C).
• Fail- 1 or more major non-conformity or more than 2
minor non-conformities of the Basic Level
requirements or more than 2 non-conformities of the
Intermediate Level requirements (in all sections A, B
and C).
• A scoring list should be provided to give the Primary
Producer a better insight into the findings of the
assessment. The scoring list may be used by the
Primary Producer as a means to identify appropriate
corrective action.
1. An assessment report (including an assessment summary)
should be provided at the end of the assessment to give the
Primary Producer a better insight into the findings of the
assessment.
2. The report shall be provided according to the GFSI Global
Market format, including:
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Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
Global Markets Programme
Protocol
Primary Production
•
•
•
•
information in relation to overall performance;
details of the facility and its operation;
a clear description of areas of non compliance; and
identifying where improvements can be made and
recommendations for corrective action.
3. The Primary Producer will receive a report and
comprehensive assessment summary. No certificate shall be
issued.
4. The Primary Producer should implement corrective action
and make provision to progress to meet Intermediate Level
and/or GFSI-recognized scheme requirements, where
possible, within 12 months.
Phase 4: Certification against a GFSI recognized scheme
12
Select one of the GFSI recognized
schemes
Primary Producer
13
Optional
Pre-assessment
Primary Producer
14
Schedule Certification Audit with
Certification Body
Primary Producer/
Certification Body
1. The Primary Producer shall select one of the GFSI
recognized schemes. The recognized schemes can be found on
www.mygfsi.com.
This is a voluntary step where the Primary Producer may wish
to approach a Certification Body or service provider to
undertake a pre-assessment evaluation against one of the
GFSI recognized schemes.
1. The Primary Producer should select a Certification Body
approved by the selected GFSI recognized scheme owner.
2. The Primary Producer shall have a formal agreement with
the Certification Body, which specifies operating terms and
conditions.
3. The Primary Producer should agree the scope of
certification.
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© Global Food Safety Initiative Foundation
Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
Global Markets Programme
Protocol
Primary Production
15
Certification Audit against GFSI
recognized scheme
(Accredited)
Certification Body
The Certification Body shall undertake an audit against the
scope of certification and the selected GFSI recognized
scheme.
16
Closure of non conformance/
Corrective actions
Certification
Decision
Primary Producer
Closure of non conformities shall be in accordance with the
requirements of the selected GFSI recognized scheme.
Certification Body
The Certification Body shall make the certification decision in
accordance with Internationally Recognized Accreditation
Schemes.
Certification Body
1. In the event that the Certification Body grants certification
the certificate and report shall be sent to the Primary
Producer.
17
18
19
Certification
Gained/
Report and Certificate issued to
Primary Producer
Certification Body
uploads report and status onto
Scheme Owner database
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2. In the event that certification is not granted the report shall
be sent to the Primary Producer.
Certification Body
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3. The Certification Body shall comply with the requirements
of the GFSI recognized scheme owner.
The Certification Body shall upload the report and certification
status of the Primary Producer onto the GFSI recognized
scheme owner database in accordance with the scheme
requirements.
© Global Food Safety Initiative Foundation
Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
Global Markets Programme
Protocol
Primary Production
Appendix
Disclaimer
The Global Food Safety Initiative Foundation (the GFSI Foundation) and the Consumer Goods Forum publish information and express opinions in good faith,
but accept no liability for any error or omission in any such information or opinion including any information or opinion contained in the material available
to be downloaded or read on this website.
In particular, the information in this document and on the GFSI website in relation to the Global Markets Programme is provided for general
information purposes only, with the goal of seeking to increase the food safety skills of Primary Produceres throughout the food value chain and
while the GFSI Foundation endeavours to keep the information up to date and correct, it makes no representations or warranties of any kind,
expressed or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information,
products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose.
The information provided in this document and on the GFSI website should not be used as a substitute for obtaining specific legal advice in
relation to compliance with the relevant legal Food Safety requirements in your jurisdiction. Any reliance you place on such information is
therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will the GFSI Foundation be liable for any damages (including without limitation damages for pure
economic loss or loss of Primary Producer or loss of profits or depletion of goodwill or otherwise in each case, whether direct, indirect or consequential, or any
claims for consequential compensation whatsoever (howsoever caused) arising in contract, tort (including negligence or breach of statutory duty),
misrepresentation, restitution or otherwise, in connection with this publication or any information contained in it, or from any action or decision taken as a
result of reading this publication or any such information.
Users of the information in this document and on the GFSI website in relation to the Global Markets Programme shall not imply or assert any association with, or
endorsement by, the GFSI Foundation or any members or partners of the GFSI Foundation without the express written consent of the GFSI Foundation
and its members or its partners. In particular, the GFSI Foundation has no control over the nature of assessments carried out in the basis of
these Documents, and any of the assessments against any of the requirements set out in these Documents does not imply a recommendation or
endorsement by the GFSI Foundation.
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Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
Global Markets Programme
Protocol
Primary Production
Logo Usage Guideline
Any intellectual property used in the Global Markets Programme documents (including the GFSI logo) remains the exclusive property of the GFSI
Foundation.
The GFSI Foundation makes the Global Markets Programme documents available to be downloaded free of charge for your own use, on
condition that:
•
you acknowledge the GFSI Foundation’s sole and exclusive ownership of the GFSI Logo and the Documents and you shall not take any
action inconsistent with such ownership, such as adopting, using, registering, or attempting to register any logo or trademark
confusingly similar to the Logo. All use of or goodwill associated with the Logo shall inure to the GFSI Foundation’s benefit. You may not
use the Logo in any manner not expressly authorized by this website or the Documents themselves;
•
no branding of, or association with, the GFSI Foundation (including the GFSI Logo), or The Consumer Goods Forum, or links or references
to them are included in communications with third parties (except with the express prior written consent of the GFSI Foundation);
•
you do not make any modifications to the Documents, UNLESS all references to the GFSI (including the GFSI Logo) are removed together
with any other identifying features or marks of the GFSI Foundation; and
except insofar as is expressly permitted by the Documents themselves, no part of the Documents may be transmitted to third parties without
the written permission of the GFSI Foundation including translations. Application for written permission should be addressed to:
GFSI c/o The Consumer Goods Forum
22/24 rue du Gouverneur Général Eboué
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux
France
[email protected]
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