GLOBALG.A.P.
What is it?
The Hop module is part of the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard, which covers food safety, traceability, workers’ health and safety, and natural resource management all within a single standard.
The Hop module has been created in collaboration with the Hop Growers of America (HGA), merchants, processors, and brewer customers around the world, in order to specifically address the unique needs of hop growers on farms.
Hop is a sub-scope of the IFA standard for the Crops scope.
Who is it for?
- Producers of hops for beer brewing can obtain GLOBALG.A.P. certification for their production process. Many breweries and retailers require a certain level of certification. Check whether their requirements are relevant to you and explore the markets that GLOBALG.A.P. certification can open up for you.
- Breweries or retailers looking to source quality products from a sustainable source can choose to purchase hops from a GLOBALG.A.P. certified production process.
How does it work?
The Hop module specifically covers traceability, employee health and hygiene, propagation material, soil management, pre-harvest evaluation, and harvest and post-harvest activities tailored to hop production.
To qualify for IFA Hop certification:
Producers who supply hop cones solely for beer brewing must comply with the requirements as set out in the control points and compliance criteria for the All Farm Base, the Crops Base, and the Hop module.
Please note: Fresh hop shoots must comply with the requirements of the Fruit and Vegetables module.
What are the advantages of IFA Hop certification for brewers (processors) and retailers?
Help protect your brand with quality assurance. Tight control of plant propagation material means you can be sure you are receiving consistent hop varieties to maintain varietal purity.
Origin of finished bales can be traced back to farm level.
Workers’ safety is protected through a targeted approach to workers’ health and safety: equipment and machinery, dryers, noise, temperature, operating hours.
By requesting or sourcing crops from GLOBALG.A.P. certified hop production practices, those further on in the supply chain can ensure they are doing tangible work to provide sustainably sourced processed goods. In a market which is seeing increasing demand for sustainable products, the IFA Hop module can help you fulfill those demands.
Designed by industry – for industry, with a continued effort to collaborate on hop industry resources, such as HGA’s Good Bines Platform. Food safety practices are specific to hop production, which means you have access to the information you need.
With the United Nations Global Compact
Food and Agribusiness Principles.
Sourcing hops from GLOBALG.A.P. certified production means they are guaranteed to meet compliance expectations with export market requirements, particularly with regard to maximum residue limits and harmonization of sanitary/phytosanitary standards.
What are the advantages of IFA Hop certification for producers?
All existing schemes for hops exist only for the processing level. GLOBALG.A.P. offers the first hop standard specifically for the farm-level.
Designed by industry – for industry, with a continued effort to collaborate on hop industry resources, such as HGA’s Good Bines Platform. Food safety practices are specific to hop production: including the drying process and a focus on physical contamination.
The standard can provide evidence of sustainable production methods – a topic which is becoming ever more important to your customers. Through the standard, you provide evidence of compliance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Integrated pest management prerequisites also support long-term sustainability. IFA Hop certification can therefore help you stand out in a saturated market
Meet compliance expectations with export market requirements, particularly with regard to maximum residue limits and harmonization of sanitary/phytosanitary standards. IFA Hop certification is accepted by local and global markets, suppliers, and retailers.
Through IFA Hop certification, you receive independent third-party verification of your responsible production practices.
Targeted approach to workers’ health and safety: equipment and machinery, dryers, noise, temperature, operating hours. A GLOBALG.A.P. certificate for the Hop sub-scope can prove claims of reduced exposure to food safety and product safety reputational risks.
Fertilizer, pesticide, and water management strategies and record-keeping support farm efficiency. Finished product specifications ensure quality performance and consistency.
How do I get certified for IFA Hop?
- Download the relevant GLOBALG.A.P. standard documents and checklists (for Hop) from our document center, or follow the quick links on the right.
- Compare offers from the certification bodies in your country, register with the one you choose, and get your GLOBALG.A.P. Number (GGN). Find a full list of GLOBALG.A.P. approved certification bodies here.
- Carry out a self-assessment using the checklist and correct all the points you do not comply with. A GLOBALG.A.P. licensed Farm Assurer, who is a trained and approved consultant, can provide you with valuable assistance during your inspection/audit preparations. Find a full list of GLOBALG.A.P. licensed Farm Assurers here.
- Arrange an appointment with your GLOBALG.A.P. approved certification body. An inspector/auditor will then conduct the first on-site inspection/audit.
- Once you successfully comply with the standard’s requirements, you will receive a GLOBALG.A.P. certificate for the relevant version and scope. This certificate is valid for one year from date of issue.
A guide to our documents
The GLOBALG.A.P. checklist is the document you need for completing your self-assessmen
The control points and compliance criteria (CPCC) list everything covered by the standard you are applying for and gives you additional guidelines for fulfilling the requirements.
The general regulations define how the certification process works and list the requirements for quality management systems and related issues.
(NIGs) clarify how the CPCCs have been adapted to the legal and regulatory environment of a specific country. Please check if there is a NIG for your country. If yes, it must be used during assessment.
