NZGAP end of year updates

NZGAP over Christmas

The NZGAP office will be closed from the Friday 23 December 2022 to Monday 9 January 2023.

Please follow the advice below to avoid potential certification delays or issues:

• If your NZGAP certification is expiring in December or early January 2023, please ensure all renewal requirements are completed as soon as possible but no later than 22December 2022.
• If you have not received your renewal invitation, please contact NZGAP as soon as possible.
• If your audit is due, please ensure that you have completed the relevant self-assessment checklists (including Social Practice and EMS checklists if applicable). These checklists along with other guidance material can be found on nzgap.co.nz
• For any queries you have, please contact us by emailing info@nzgap.co.nz or calling 04 470 5867.

GFSI recognition of NZGAP: application withdrawn

Earlier this year, NZGAP indicated that it would have a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognised version of NZGAP GLOBALG.A.P. Equivalent by the end of 2022.

Unfortunately, this has proved unachievable due to delays outside of our control. The significant GFSI pre-requisites and the lengthy application process mean it will not be possible to attain recognition of NZGAP version 7 against GFSI until late 2025. We understand that this delay will significantly affect some growers. However, we are working with markets on an acceptable transition timeline.

Please contact us via info@nzgap.co.nz to discuss options if you will be impacted by this delay.

NZGAP version 7

NZGAP is in the planning stages of developing a new version (NZGAP v7), which will replace the current NZGAP and NZGAP GLOBALG.A.P. Equivalent v6.2 programmes.

The initial focus of version 7 is revision of the food safety requirements. However, given the ongoing changes to regulatory and market requirements, the Environment Management System (EMS) and Social Practice modules are also likely to be reviewed in 2023.

The timing of the reviews of the EMS and Social Practice modules are partially dependent on whether equivalence pathways are enabled, respectively, via the

Freshwater Farm Plan regulations and the Recognised Seasonal Employer policy review.

Version 7 will be a significant update to the structure of the programme. However, it will significantly improve the integrated approach enabling growers to demonstrate compliance with a range of market and regulatory requirements including NZGAP, GLOBALG.A.P., the Food Act and GFSI via one grower friendly and cost-effective solution.