Certification Option B: Group Certification

Producers can be certified to the CanadaGAP Program by organizing themselves as a Group and running a central food safety management system.

This approach was developed based on GlobalGAP’s group certification scheme (a.k.a. Option 2). If cost considerations are the driver for group certification, it should be noted that this approach, to date, has proven most beneficial to larger groups (e.g., at least 75 producers) where existing resources of the group can be effectively applied and economies of scale achieved.

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has formally benchmarked and approved certification options B and C as meeting international requirements for on-farm food safety.

Essentially, Group Certification offers a two-layered approach to auditing, involving:

i.        Use of qualified internal auditors engaged by the Group to audit member sites (i.e., production, storage and packing locations) and internally audit the Group Management System, and

ii.        External audits of the Group by a licensed certification body.

Internal audits: Using a qualified internal auditor(s), the Group must carry out audits each year on all registered group members, all central storage and packing facilities, and the Group Management System. The audits of production, storage and packing sites must cover the full CanadaGAP (CHC OFFS) Audit Checklist. New members must pass the audit prior to being entered on the registered list. The audit reports, corrective actions, etc. must be impartially reviewed by the Group Management System Internal Auditor or another qualified person who did not perform the audit of the group member’s operation.

The Group must engage a qualified Group Management System Internal Auditor to perform an annual internal audit based on using the CHC OFFS Group Management System Checklist. In effect, the Group is charged with acting as if it were a certification body operating with initial certification and surveillance audits of its members’ operations. For further details, refer to the CanadaGAP Management Manual, Appendix III.1.

External audits: Audits of the Group by a licensed Certification Body. The external audit functions must be carried out by a CHC-licensed certification body annually. Sampling of the group members (i.e., production, storage and packing sites) is permitted to certify the Group under Option B. For further details, refer to the CanadaGAP Management Manual, Appendix III.1.

The specifics as to who is audited and at what minimum frequency, including random sampling plans, are outlined in the table below for “Option B”. Some cost information is also indicated in the chart.

Group Certification:

(Note: Certification to Option B occurs on an annual basis.)

 
  * A triggered audit would only be deemed necessary to investigate a potential food safety risk at a particular site. These could be triggered as a follow up to an on-site visit, from the audit of the Management System, etc . The cost of triggered audits would be borne by the Group. Participants can avoid triggered audits by managing risks as outlined in the CHC OFFS Manual.

IMPORTANT: You are advised to check with your customer regarding acceptance of various CanadaGAP certification options. Option B has been formally recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). 

Cost Implications

With Option B, some cost savings will be found in terms of a lower Annual Program Enrolment Fee payable to CHC for delivery of program services (on a per-producer basis, as compared to Options A1, A2 or C). However, in contrast, Option B includes a potentially significant, additional cost component, related to the Group’s delivery of the required internal (second party) audits. Each grower must undergo an on-site, internal audit by the Group each year. The cost of administering an internal food safety management system and delivery of internal audits is up to the group, allowing for these costs to be scaled to decisions made relative to internal administration.

Option B involves four cost components:

· Annual Program Enrolment Fee

· Internal (Group) Delivery Costs - to manage the system, conduct internal audits, etc.

· Certification Body (External 3^rd party) Audit Fees

· Auditor Travel Expenses

1) Annual Program Enrolment Fee Paid by the program participant to the CHC. Covers CHC’s costs to administer the program, process enrolment applications, maintain the technical standards and training materials, oversee Certification Bodies, maintain our international benchmarking status and  technical reviews by government, collect and analyse data, monitor developments in food safety science and media, offer technical support to the Certification Bodies, communicate to program participants, program marketing/education, office overhead, staff and related expenses.

2) Internal (Group) Delivery Costs to manage their internal management system, conduct internal audits, review audit reports of Group member farms, follow up on corrective actions, etc.

3) Audit Costs Paid directly by the program participant to the Certification Body. Covers the Certification Body's cost to deliver audit and certification services including auditor’s time to perform audits, auditor travel time, technical review of audit reports, follow-up on corrective actions, issuing certificates, administration and office overhead, billing functions, etc.

4) Auditor’s Travel Expenses Costs vary depending on location of the facility, closest available auditor, and proximity to other audit sites. Every effort will be made to schedule audits in such a way to minimize auditor travel expenses.