Since they announced their collaboration last year, the SAN and GLOBALG.A.P. have worked to identify commonalities and differences between the Global G.A.P. and SAN standard (upon which Rainforest Alliance Certification is based). This will now be used to develop tools that will help to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of audits, resulting in improved market access for smallholders.
These tools will include combined check lists, which will enable farms to be evaluated against both SAN and Global G.A.P audits at the same time. A single auditor may be used as long as the certification body is approved by both organizations. Although the audit process would be combined, the issuance of certificates will remain independent.
The Executive Director of SAN, Andre de Freitas, stated “we are pleased that this new collaboration will make it quicker, cheaper and easier for SAN/RA certified producers who choose to add GLOBALG.A.P. Certification. SAN is committed to finding such ways for producer organizations to benefit from new market opportunities arising from the increased demand for certified products. This is a good example of standards coming together and collaborating to put the needs of farmers first.”
“We are proud to deliver our promise made not even a year ago to push forward for more collaboration,” said Kristian Moeller, CEO GLOBALG.A.P. “Combining audits of standard owners that build fruitful relationships is a major building block for the future of certification.”
Technical teams from both organizations conducted an intensive comparison between the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) and GLOBALG.A.P standards. The results show that approximately one third of the requirements of each standard focus on similar topics. These include; record keeping, trainings, occupational health and safety, housing and waste management. By highlighting any overlap tools can assist farmers who have already achieved either Global G.A.P or SAN certification to obtain both certifications.
In addition to having developed certification schemes to promote sustainable agriculture, the SAN/Rainforest Alliance and Global G.A.P. also share a commitment to the continuous improvement of life in rural communities around the world.
ABOUT SAN
The Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) is a coalition of non-profit conservation organizations in America, Africa, Europe and Asia promoting the environmental and social sustainability of agricultural activities through the development of standards for best practices, certification and training for rural farmers.
More than 1.2 million of farmers in more than 40 countries, producing 100 crops, are certified under the SAN/Rainforest Alliance system.
The system is jointly managed by the Sustainable Agriculture Network and Rainforest Alliance. Compliance with the SAN Standard is indispensable for farm certification and the right to use the Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM seal on agricultural products.
ABOUT GLOBALG.A.P.
GLOBALG.A.P. is one of the world`s leading farm assurance systems that offers a clear focus on food safety paired with other significant elements of Good Agricultural Practices, a transparent and robust integrity system equipped with an increasing flexibility to respond to market requirements, and modular and customized solutions for certification, farm assessments, and capacity building.
Today, over 160,000 primary producers are under GLOBALG.A.P. Certification in 124 countries. GLOBALG.A.P. Schemes primarily focus on product safety, environmental impact and the health, safety and welfare of workers and animals.
The post Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) and GLOBALG.A.P collaborate to reduce audit costs appeared first on RAS | Red de Agricultura Sostenible.