GLOBALG.A.P. Chain of Custody Certification: All you need to know

The certification GLOBALG.A.P. Chain of Custody (CoC) is a crucial step in guaranteeing the traceability and transparency of products from GLOBALG.A.P certified sectors. Whether you are a distributor, a processor or an importer, obtaining this certification is a strategic asset in order to meet consumer expectations and growing regulatory requirements.

In this article, find out what CoC certification is, why it's important, the steps to get it, the expected costs, and how Tracklab can transform your management to simplify your task.

What is the GLOBALG.A.P. Chain of Custody certification?

The certification GLOBALG.A.P. Chain of Custody (CoC) is a system guaranteeing that products bearing the GLOBALG.A.P. label come exclusively from certified producers.

It applies to businesses involved in the supply chain, such as:

• Wholesalers.
• The transformers.
• Distributors.

The CoC standard requires:

1. Full traceability throughout the supply chain.
2. A systematic verification of the GLOBALG.A.P. certificates of suppliers.
3. Rigorous separation of certified and non-certified products.

Why pass the GLOBALG.A.P. CoC certification?

1. Ensuring consumer trust

With consumers increasingly paying attention to the origin and sustainability of products, this certification reinforces your credibility and proves your commitment to responsible practices.

2. Access demanding markets

Many major distributors and buyers require CoC certified suppliers and partners to ensure the conformity of the products they sell.

3. Reducing the risks of non-compliance

This certification ensures that your processes meet traceability standards, thus minimizing the risks of non-compliance, recalls or sanctions.

4. Stand out from the competition

In a market where transparency is a key expectation, being CoC certified gives you a definite competitive advantage.

The steps to obtain GLOBALG.A.P. CoC certification

1. Analysis of your existing needs and processes

Identify affected products and map your supply chain to assess the differences between your current practices and CoC requirements.

2. Team training

Raise awareness and train your employees on CoC requirements, in particular on traceability and certificate management.

3. Establishment of traceability systems

Make sure you can track certified products throughout their journey through your supply chain. This includes managing GLOBALG.A.P. certificates from your suppliers.

4. Supplier verification

Systematically monitor the GLOBALG.A.P. (GGN) certificates of your suppliers. This includes:

• The initial check.
• Ongoing monitoring to ensure that their certificates are up to date.

5. External audit

Once your systems are in place, call on an accredited certification body to perform a compliance audit.

6. Maintaining certification

Schedule regular audits and keep up with the changing requirements of the standard to remain compliant.

What are the expected costs?

1. Audit fees

The fees depend on the size of your business, the number of sites, and the complexity of your operations. They may vary from 2,000 to 10,000€ for an initial audit.

2. Internal costs

• Staff training.
• Establishment or improvement of traceability systems.

3. Recurring fees

• Annual audits to maintain certification.
• Updating systems or processes in accordance with regulatory changes.

On average, the total cost to obtain and maintain CoC certification is estimated between €5,000 and €20,000 per year, depending on the size of the business.

Why is Tracklab an essential tool for GLOBALG.A.P. CoC certification?

1. Automating the monitoring of supplier certificates

Tracklab connects your supplier base to the GLOBALG.A.P. database and automatically checks, three times a day, the status of the certificates (IFA options 1 and 2, CoC, GRASP, SPRING, FSMA).

• No need to manually check each GGN.
• You are alerted instantly in case of problems or changes in status.

2. Continued and simplified compliance

With Tracklab, you easily meet the requirements of the CoC standard:

• Reliable and real-time monitoring of all your suppliers.
• Automatic notifications to avoid delays or non-compliance.

3. Considerable time savings

Manual processes are replaced by an intuitive digital solution:

• Considerable time savings: Automation of administrative tasks.
• Optimization of the management of your supplier database.

4. Fast and customized deployment

Tracklab offers turnkey support:

• Importing your supplier data and custom configuration.
• Training your team in just one hour.

On average, the implementation of Tracklab only takes two days, making your organization operational immediately.

Conclusion

GLOBALG.A.P. Chain of Custody certification is an essential approach to ensure the traceability and compliance of GLOBALG.A.P. certified products in your supply chain. Although this involves financial and organizational investment, the benefits in terms of credibility, risk reduction and market access make it a strategic asset.

With Tracklab, simplify and optimize your processes: automate certificate tracking, save time, and ensure ongoing compliance. Adopting Tracklab is taking a step towards modern, efficient and compliant management of your CoC certification.

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