GLOBALG.A.P. IFA Aquaculture Certification

With over 20 years since its first edition, the GLOBALG.A.P. IFA (integrated farm assurance) aquaculture certification is the standard of reference for the fish farming production chain worldwide. Its best practices provide access to global retail markets while strengthening the sustainability of the entire supply chain.

Three distinct benefits make IFA Aquaculture the premier certification for the modern aquaculture industry:

It’s comprehensive

The requirements of the standard cover:

• Food safety but also animal health and welfare, social responsibility, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
• Over 30 species of finfish, crustaceans, mollusks, and seaweed (macroalgae).
• All production stages and systems, from net enclosures to closed recirculation.
• All farm sizes, from single-site operations to multi-site producer groups.

It’s global

IFA Aquaculture is the only primary production fish farming standard recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)—the global benchmark for food safety certification programs—and the global seafood Sustainability Initiative (GSSI), the FAO’s benchmark for seafood certification schemes.

It’s also aligned with:

• The FAO’s four pillars of aquaculture certification: food safety, animal welfare, environmental integrity, and socio-economic aspects.
• The standards of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) aquatic animal health code for the improvement of aquatic animal health and safe international trade.

It’s flexible

IFA Aquaculture offers multiple pathways to certification depending on each producer’s needs and practices thanks to:

Option of two editions:

• V6 GFS for producers required to comply with GFSI requirements.
• V6 smart for producers without GFSI obligations who still want to demonstrate their commitment to safe and responsible farming.

Requirement checklists tailored to each producer’s practices.

Outcome-focused approach that lets producers reach compliance using methods that best fit their operations.

1. The standard consists of principles (outcomes to achieve) and criteria (how to demonstrate compliance), graded in three levels: Major must, minor must, and recommendation. Certification requires 100% compliance with major musts and at least 95% with minor musts.
2. GLOBALG.A.P. risk assessment on social practice (GRASP) add-on is mandatory.
3. Feed must be sourced from manufacturers with a recognized feed safety certification.
4. Annual compliance audits are conducted by accredited third-party certification bodies.

As an accredited independent certification body for GLOBALG.A.P. IFA Aquaculture, we support your compliance journey from start to finish with:

• Local expertise at your doorstep with readily available auditors familiar with regional conditions.
• Fast response times and dedicated account representatives managing your certification process.
• Cost-effective solutions through bundling with other GLOBALG.A.P. add-ons or certifications