The GGFSA Add-on Certification refers to the GLOBALG.A.P. Farm Sustainability Add-on (GGFSA), an additional standard developed through collaboration between GLOBALG.A.P. and SAI Platform. It is designed to efficiently combine GLOBALG.A.P. certification for crops with the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA).
GGFSA is a voluntary add-on, primarily applied when there are buyer requirements or a need for a documented and verified sustainability claim. In practice, it allows producers or producer groups to combine IFA or CfP audits with FSA Claim verification through a single, integrated audit process.
What is the GGFSA Add-on and its purpose
GGFSA Add-on certification is a practical tool for producers who want to document farm sustainability in a structured and verifiable way. It goes beyond a simple additional check, offering a more holistic evaluation that links production compliance with increasingly common market-driven sustainability requirements.
Its main purpose is to simplify the verification of sustainability claims without requiring separate parallel audits. For this reason, Q-CERT presents it as an efficient solution for combining GLOBALG.A.P. certification with FSA verification, reducing administrative burden and avoiding duplicate inspections.
What is the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) and how it connects to GGFSA
The Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) is a framework developed by the SAI Platform to evaluate farm sustainability across three pillars: economic, social, and environmental.
It consists of 109 questions across 11 thematic areas, covering key aspects such as farm management, resource use, environmental impact, workforce conditions, and social responsibility.
GGFSA is not the FSA itself. Instead, it is the practical and verifiable implementation of FSA requirements within the GLOBALG.A.P. system. While producers can use FSA as a self-assessment tool, a verified FSA Claim requires independent third-party certification. GGFSA bridges this gap between sustainability assessment and formal certification.
What is an FSA Claim and what levels exist
An FSA Claim is a verified statement that a farm has been assessed for sustainability and meets a defined level of performance.
Such claims cannot be based solely on internal assessments; they require independent verification by an approved certification body.
Through the GGFSA Add-on, farms may achieve one of three levels:
Upon successful assessment, a Letter of Conformance is issued, allowing the producer to make a verified FSA Claim.
Who is GGFSA Add-on for and what does it cover
The GGFSA Add-on is intended for crop producers and producer groups seeking to combine GLOBALG.A.P. certification with verified sustainability assessment.
It applies to:
It is not applicable to flowers and ornamental plants.
The add-on can be implemented for:
Prerequisites: Link with GLOBALG.A.P. IFA and CfP
GGFSA is not a standalone standard. Certification requires that the producer either holds or simultaneously applies for GLOBALG.A.P. IFA or CfP certification.
The GGFSA audit must be conducted together with the main IFA or CfP audit, and both must be carried out by the same certification body. This ensures proper integration and avoids fragmented assessments.
How GGFSA Add-on works in practice
In practice, GGFSA functions as a combined audit process. Instead of undergoing separate audits for certification and sustainability verification, producers benefit from an integrated approach within the IFA or CfP audit.
This significantly reduces audit workload and avoids duplication—particularly important for organized farms and producer groups.
If successful, a Letter of Conformance with a validity of three years is issued, supporting the use of the FSA Claim.
Assessment criteria and requirement levels
The GGFSA structure is based on 28 Principles and Criteria (P&Cs), categorized into:
These categories reflect different levels of sustainability maturity.
Compliance with essential and intermediate criteria determines the achievable claim level, while advanced criteria are required for higher levels such as Gold.
This structure allows producers to view sustainability as a continuous improvement journey rather than a simple pass/fail outcome.
Steps to obtain GGFSA Add-on certification
Step 1: Register with GLOBALG.A.P.
The producer or group must have an active relationship through IFA or CfP.
Step 2: Complete the GGFSA checklist
Review requirements and prepare supporting evidence.
Step 3: Conduct self-assessment
Identify gaps before the official audit.
Step 4: Schedule audit with an approved certification body
The same body must conduct both the main and add-on audits.
Step 5: Receive Letter of Conformance
Issued after successful evaluation, valid for three years.
Preparation for the GGFSA audit
Proper preparation reduces audit time, findings, and corrective actions.
The FSA tool can be used for early self-assessment, helping farms understand their sustainability position in advance.
For producer groups, additional QMS requirements apply, including:
Well-organized documentation and internal audit processes are key success factors.
Cost and fees
The total cost of GGFSA certification depends on several factors:
key advantage is cost efficiency, as the combined audit reduces time and expenses compared to separate certification processes.
Sources, documents, and certification body selection
Applicants should consult official GLOBALG.A.P. normative documents and the GGFSA checklist.
Q-CERT also provides Certification Regulations and application forms to support the process.
It is essential to ensure that the certification body:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Contact for GGFSA Add-on Certification
Q-CERT is approved by GLOBALG.A.P. To receive an accurate quotation for GGFSA Add-on certification, it is helpful to provide details such as location, crop scope, farm size, and operational structure. Contact us today to assess applicability and schedule your certification process.
| Audit Information & Expectations | Application Form |
|---|---|
| F-2711 | F-2712.OP1, F-2713.OP2 |