GLOBALG.A.P. Aquaculture
Basic information about GLOBALG.A.P. Aquaculture – Responsible and Sustainable Aquaculture Certification
GLOBALG.A.P. Aquaculture is an international certification standard designed for producers operating in the aquaculture sector. The standard was developed to support responsible, safe, and sustainable production of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic organisms intended for human consumption.
The standard covers the entire production process—from stocking materials, feed management, and farm operations, through production activities, to harvesting and preparation of products for further distribution. Particular emphasis is placed on food safety, production traceability, aquatic animal welfare, environmental protection, and the health, safety, and working conditions of employees.
GLOBALG.A.P. Aquaculture is one of the world’s most recognized aquaculture standards and plays an important role in cooperation with retail chains, importers, and international buyers. Certification enables producers to demonstrate compliance with market requirements, improve process transparency, and build a competitive advantage.
During the audit, key areas are assessed, including water quality monitoring systems, feed and veterinary medicine management, measures to reduce environmental impact, traceability procedures, and compliance with social responsibility requirements, including the GRASP module.
Please visit the standard’s webpage, where you will find further information: GLOBALG.A.P. GRASP
The certification is designed for producers farming fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and other aquatic organisms. It is suitable for both small-scale farms and large enterprises supplying products to domestic and international markets.
Benefits of GLOBALG.A.P. GRASP:
- Increased producer credibility in the market.
- Access to domestic and international retail chains.
- Meeting the requirements of importers and international buyers.
- Confirmation of food safety and quality standards.
- Full traceability of production processes.
- Enhanced control over water quality, feed management, and veterinary medicines.
- Demonstration of environmental and social responsibility.
- Improved organization and efficiency of production processes.
- Building competitive advantage and increasing customer trust.
How Does the GLOBALG.A.P. Aquaculture Certification Process Work?
1. Contact Our Agriculture Standards Team
The first step is to contact our Agriculture Standards Team to discuss the scope of your activities and confirm the possibility of certification according to GLOBALG.A.P. Aquaculture requirements. We will help you select the most suitable certification option and scope.
We encourage you to contact us by phone, email, or through the contact form available on our website.
2. Completion of the Application Form
All relevant information regarding the farm, cultivated aquatic species, location, and scope of activities should be provided in the application form and submitted to our Certification Body.
3. Certification Offer and Agreement Signing
Based on the information provided, we prepare a certification agreement. Once the terms are accepted and the agreement is signed, we begin the certification process.
4. Registration in the GLOBALG.A.P. System and Assignment of GGN
For initial certification, the organization is registered in the GLOBALG.A.P. database and receives an individual GGN (GLOBALG.A.P. Number), which enables identification of the certified entity within the global certification system.
5. Audit Planning
The audit date is agreed upon jointly with the organization. The audit should be scheduled at a time that allows for an effective assessment of actual production processes and compliance with the standard requirements applicable to the cultivated aquatic species.
6. Certification Audit
The audit is conducted at the farm or aquaculture facility. It includes an assessment of production processes, farming conditions, aquatic animal welfare, water quality management, feed and veterinary product use, production traceability, environmental and social aspects, and required documentation.
7. Audit Report and Closure of Non-Conformities
After completion of the audit, the organization receives an audit report containing the assessment results and any non-conformities requiring corrective actions.
Where non-conformities are identified, the organization must provide evidence of their effective resolution within the timeframe specified by the certification program requirements.
8. Certification Decision
After completion of the assessment process and successful verification of corrective actions, all documentation undergoes an independent technical review.
Based on this review, the certification decision is made, and the organization receives the GLOBALG.A.P. Aquaculture certificate confirming compliance with the standard requirements.
9. Maintaining Certification
The GLOBALG.A.P. Aquaculture certificate is valid for 12 months. To maintain certification, annual renewal audits must be performed to confirm continued compliance with the standard requirements.