GLOBALG.A.P. updates CAB training and accreditation rules for v6.1

Revised accreditation and training rules for certification bodies

The update to GLOBALG.A.P. general regulations and technical newsletters establishes revised rules for certification body training, auditor qualification, and accreditation schedule management. The updated rules affect conformity assessment bodies, quality management system auditors, in-house trainers, and farm auditors across all scopes. Certification bodies must maintain formal evidence of auditor qualification and demonstrate that changes have been implemented when new standard versions are launched.

Under the updated general regulations, certification bodies seeking an accreditation schedule update for version changes must demonstrate implementation without needing a full re-assessment. When standard versions update, the accreditation body reviews submitted materials before granting the schedule update. Accreditation body witness audits follow the standard assessment cycle of the accreditation body rather than serving as an obligatory precondition for issuing accredited certificates.

Automatic re-approval and qualification procedures

The transition to Integrated Farm Assurance version 6.1 Smart introduces automatic re-approval pathways for established scheme personnel across approved certification bodies:

• In-house trainer re-approval: All in-house trainers previously approved for version 6.0 Smart are automatically re-approved for version 6.1 Smart without attending additional training sessions.
• Quality management system auditors: Approved quality management system auditors for version 6.0 Smart automatically transfer to version 6.1 Smart without taking new examinations.
• Farm auditor automatic transfer: Farm auditors already registered and approved for version 6.0 Smart receive automatic re-approval for version 6.1 Smart in the IT platform.
• Multi-body auditor witnessing: Auditors working for more than one certification body must undergo a separate witness audit by each certification body prior to formal approval.

Maintenance of competency and examination retakes

Certification bodies must ensure that auditors complete mandatory online tests and maintain annual audit volume requirements across valid standards. Every auditor must conduct at least five on-site audits annually across approved standards to maintain competency. For GFSI-recognised standards, at least one of these annual audits must be conducted against the specific GFSI-recognised GLOBALG.A.P. standard.

The general regulations establish strict retake limits and proctoring rules for online tests completed by in-house trainers and farm auditors. In-house trainers who fail any part of an online test twice must re-attend formal training and pass the test. Failing an in-house trainer test a third time results in the candidate being blocked, requiring the certification body to nominate and train a new candidate. Farm auditors failing a test twice must take the third attempt under proctored conditions, and a fourth attempt requires attending an in-house trainer session.

Accreditation Body schedule update procedures

Accreditation Body procedures for version updates require certification bodies to submit documented proof of compliance to update their accredited scope:

• Gap analysis submission: Certification bodies must provide a completed gap analysis detailing how revised standard requirements are incorporated into internal processes.
• Internal auditor training logs: Evidence of internal auditor training on the edition update register must be retained and submitted for review.
• Amended operational procedures: Copies of revised operating procedures and internal quality management documentation must be submitted to the accreditation body.
• Internal audit reporting: Certification bodies must submit an internal audit report demonstrating full verification of the implemented version changes.

What to do now

• Submit gap analysis to accreditation body: Quality managers should prepare and submit the gap analysis and updated internal procedures to DANAK or their respective accreditation body.
• Verify auditor registration in IT system: Compliance leads must confirm that approved farm auditors and in-house trainers show correct approval statuses in the IT platform.
• Schedule annual maintenance audits: Scheme managers should track annual audit logs to ensure every auditor completes five on-site audits including one against GFSI-recognised standards.
• Organise separate witness audits for shared auditors: Scheme managers must schedule internal witness audits for any newly contracted auditor who is already approved at another certification body.

Reference documents

• Technical newsletter for CBs, issue 02/2026, Section 2.1
• Technical newsletter for CBs, issue 01/2025, Section 2.1
• Technical newsletter for CBs, issue 02/2024, Section 2.7, Section 2.8
• Technical newsletter for CBs, issue 02/2022, Section 2.1, Section 2.10