The Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard is integral for maintaining the integrity and ensuring traceability, segregation, and integrity of certified products throughout the supply chain.
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Introduction
Purpose of the Standard
- Objective: The standard aims to reassure consumers that products labelled as GLOBALG.A.P. certified are genuinely certified and sourced from certified producers. It prevents the mixing of certified and uncertified products.
- Scope: The Chain of Custody (CoC) certification is mandatory for retail stores and restaurants selling bulk products from GLOBALG.A.P. certified production processes.
Certification Options
The Individual Certification Options are the following:
- Single Site: For producers or companies with one location.
- Multisite: This is for companies with multiple locations that do not operate as separate legal entities.
Registration Process
- Choosing a Certification Body (CB): Applicants must select an approved Certification Body to initiate registration.
- Chain of Custody (CoC) Number: Upon registration, each company receives a unique Chain of Custody (CoC) Number, which identifies them within the GLOBALG.A.P. system.
Application and Certification Scope
- Certification Scope: Includes various product categories under Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA), such as crops, aquaculture, and livestock.
- Externally Purchased Products: If the producer acts as a trader or service provider, the scope can include products not produced on the farm.
- Processing Limitations: Only products that remain visibly recognisable after processing can be certified (e.g., sliced vegetables), while fully processed items (e.g., juices) cannot.
Producers and Companies in Scope
- Ownership and Control: Any party taking legal ownership or physical control of certified products must be certified.
- Activities Requiring Certification:
- Selling or trading certified products.
- Packing and labelling products with the GLOBALG.A.P Number (GGN) or Chain of Custody (CoC) Number.
- Changing the composition of certified products.
Visit the GLOBALG.A.P. Chain of Custody Page here.
Key Components of the Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard
The Key Components of the Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard ensure product integrity, traceability, and compliance throughout the supply chain. These components help businesses maintain transparency and meet GLOBALG.A.P. requirements.
1. Management Structure
A robust management structure is essential to ensure compliance with the Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard.
1.1 Documentation:
- Legal Entity Proof: Maintain documentation that proves your company is a legal entity with the authority to trade. This includes incorporation documents, business licenses, and relevant certifications.
- Compliance Policies: Develop and document compliance policies that align with Chain of Custody (CoC) requirements.
1.2 Procedures:
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that detail processes for managing certified products, including handling, storage, and transportation.
- Risk Management: Implement risk assessment procedures to identify potential non-compliance issues and establish corrective actions.
1.3 Training:
- Staff Competency: Conduct regular training sessions for staff to ensure they understand the Chain of Custody (CoC) requirements and their roles in maintaining compliance.
- Continuous Improvement: Encourage ongoing education and training updates to adapt to changes in regulations or standards.
2. Input and Output Verification
This process ensures that all products entering the supply chain are certified and meet the required standards.
2.1 Supplier Verification:
- Authentication Process: Develop a systematic procedure for authenticating suppliers’ GLOBALG.A.P. Numbers (GGNs) or Chain of Custody (CoC) Numbers using the GLOBALG.A.P. database before transferring ownership.
- Supplier Audits: Conduct regular audits of suppliers to verify their certification status and compliance with Chain of Custody (CoC) requirements.
2.2 Product Matching:
- Delivery Documentation: Ensure that delivery documents accurately reflect the products and quantities received. Implement a checklist for staff to verify this information upon receipt.
- Quality Control: Establish a quality control process to inspect incoming goods for compliance with specifications.
2.3 Discrepancy Reporting:
- Incident Log: Maintain a log for recording discrepancies and establish a procedure for addressing these issues promptly.
- Supplier Communication: Develop a communication protocol for notifying suppliers about discrepancies and corrective actions taken.
3. Traceability
Traceability ensures that certified products can be traced back to their origin.
3.1 Traceability Methods:
- Segregation Method: Allow for mixing certified products from multiple certified producers, ensuring that each batch is documented with traceability data linked to a traceability code (e.g., batch number).
- Identity Preservation Method: Maintain distinct identities for certified products, prohibiting the physical mixing of products from different certified producers.
3.2 Record Keeping:
- Traceability Records: Keep detailed records that trace products back to certified suppliers, including all intermediate processing and storage steps.
- Documentation Standards: Establish documentation standards to ensure that all traceability records are accurate, complete, and easily accessible for audits.
Download the CoC standard here.
4. Identification and Labeling
Proper identification and labelling are crucial for maintaining product integrity.
4.1 Correct Use of GLOBALG.A.P. (GLOBALG.A.P. Numbers/Chain of Custody Numbers:
- Labelling Requirements: Ensure that all products are labelled correctly with GLOBALG.A.P. (GGN) or Chain of Custody (CoC) Numbers on the product and in accompanying documentation.
- Documentation Consistency: Verify that labelling on products matches the information in sales documentation and delivery notes.
4.2 Logistic Unit Labeling:
- Minimum Information: Label logistic units containing certified products with essential information, including product name, GLOBALG.A.P. Number / Chain of Custody (CoC) Number, and traceability codes.
- Electronic Messaging: Utilise electronic messaging systems to communicate logistic unit information efficiently.
5. Compliance and Documentation
Maintaining compliance is an ongoing process that requires diligent record-keeping and regular reviews.
5.1 Mass Balance Calculation:
- Documentation of Calculations: Conduct and document mass balance calculations to ensure that certified outputs do not exceed certified inputs.
- Review Procedures: Regularly review mass balance calculations to identify any discrepancies and address them immediately.
5.2 Record Retention:
- Retention Policies: Establish record retention policies that comply with legal requirements, ensuring records are kept for at least one year after the product’s expiration date or longer if necessary.
- Access to Records: Ensure that records are easily accessible for audits and inspections.
Download the CoC checklist here.
Conclusion
The GLOBALG.A.P. Chain of Custody standard establishes comprehensive requirements for ensuring the integrity and traceability of certified products throughout the supply chain. Organisations must establish a robust management structure to effectively implement the Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard, verify inputs and outputs, ensure traceability, and maintain accurate documentation.
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Key facts
- The GLOBALG.A.P. Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard maintains the integrity, traceability and segregation of certified products throughout the supply chain, reassuring consumers that GLOBALG.A.P.-labelled products genuinely come from certified producers.
- CoC certification is mandatory for retail stores and restaurants selling bulk products from certified production processes, and for any party taking legal ownership or physical control of certified products (selling, trading, packing, labelling, or changing product composition).
- Certification is available as Single Site (one location) or Multisite (multiple locations under one legal entity), and each registered company receives a unique Chain of Custody Number identifying it in the GLOBALG.A.P. system.
- The standard is built on five key components: management structure, input and output verification, traceability, identification and labelling, and compliance and documentation.
- Traceability can follow either the Segregation Method (certified products from different producers may be mixed, with each batch documented via a traceability code) or the Identity Preservation Method (distinct identities kept and mixing prohibited).
- Compliance requires mass balance calculations so certified outputs never exceed certified inputs, plus record retention for at least one year after product expiration (or longer where the law requires).
Frequently asked questions
What is the GLOBALG.A.P. Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard?
The GLOBALG.A.P. Chain of Custody Standard maintains the integrity, traceability and segregation of certified products throughout the supply chain. Its purpose is to reassure consumers that products labelled as GLOBALG.A.P. certified genuinely come from certified producers, and to prevent certified products being mixed with uncertified ones.
Who needs GLOBALG.A.P. Chain of Custody certification?
Certification is mandatory for retail stores and restaurants selling bulk products from certified production processes. More broadly, any party taking legal ownership or physical control of certified products must be certified, including those selling or trading certified products, packing or labelling with GLOBALG.A.P. or CoC numbers, and changing product composition.
What are the main components of the CoC Standard?
The standard has five key components: management structure, input and output verification, traceability, identification and labelling, and compliance and documentation. Together these cover documentation, supplier authentication, record keeping, correct labelling, mass balance and record retention.
What is the difference between the Segregation Method and Identity Preservation Method?
Both are permitted traceability methods under the CoC Standard. The Segregation Method allows certified products from multiple producers to be mixed, with each batch documented using a traceability code such as a batch number. The Identity Preservation Method keeps products' distinct identities and prohibits physically mixing products from different certified producers.
How does a company get a Chain of Custody Number?
Organisations must select an approved Certification Body to initiate registration. Upon registration, the company receives a unique Chain of Custody Number that identifies it within the GLOBALG.A.P. system. Certification can be Single Site for one location or Multisite for multiple locations operating as a single legal entity.
What is a mass balance calculation and how long must records be kept?
A mass balance calculation is documentation ensuring that certified outputs do not exceed certified inputs, with regular review procedures. Records must be retained for a minimum of one year after product expiration (or longer where legal requirements demand), and must remain accessible for audits and inspections.