GLOBALG.A.P. CoC – why should distributors and wholesalers also seek certification?

Most discussions about GLOBALG.A.P. revolve around agricultural producers. This is understandable – they are the first to encounter the requirements of retail chains and are usually the ones asking about certification. But there is a large group of companies that GLOBALG.A.P. affects just as much, and who often do not realise it: distributors, wholesalers and catering companies. The CoC – Chain of Custody – standard is designed for them.

What is GLOBALG.A.P. CoC and why was it created?

Chain of Custody is a module of the GLOBALG.A.P. standard designed for organisations that do not produce food but trade in products that are already certified. Its primary aim is to ensure that a product labelled as GLOBALG.A.P. certified remains traceable and separate from non-certified products throughout the entire supply chain – from the farm right through to the point of sale or restaurant menu.

Without a CoC, the producer’s certificate loses its value the moment the product enters the market – because there is no guarantee that it has not been mixed with non-compliant goods along the way. The CoC closes this chain and ensures its integrity.

Who exactly should consider CoC certification?

The CoC standard is mandatory for all companies that purchase GLOBALG.A.P. IFA-certified products and wish to resell them as certified. This applies to wholesalers purchasing fruit and vegetables from certified farms, distributors supplying retail chains, catering companies and restaurants offering products from certified sources, as well as trading platforms and logistics centres handling fresh food.

If your business acts as a link between a certified producer and the end consumer and you wish to maintain the value of certification throughout the chain – CoC is for you.

Traceability as a selling point, not just a formal requirement

The requirement for product traceability – that is, the ability to track food from field to shelf – is becoming more than just a regulation in the food industry. It is a selling point. Retail chains, under pressure from consumers and the media, are increasingly willing to work with suppliers who can prove the origin of every batch of goods.

A company holding a CoC certificate can prove this. It maintains a mass balance, keeps certified and non-certified products segregated, and documents every movement of goods. In the event of a complaint, a trade inspection or an enquiry from a major customer, this documentation has real value and reduces response times from days to hours.