Scope of the Guidelines
- Rules for granting, maintaining, withdrawing GAP Certificates for individual growers, cooperatives, corporate farms, Produce Marketing Organizations, and demonstration farms.
Composition and Tasks of GAP Certification Committee (GAPCC)
- Comprised of DA agency directors, private sector, NGOs, academe representatives.
- Sets Philippine GAP program directions, policies, capacity building, market linkage.
- Reviews program annually; recommends technical personnel for farmer assistance.
- Endorses qualified inspectors.
- Participates in international discussions to align PhilGAP with international standards.
- Conducts review and adjudicates certification applications and appeals.
Secretariat and Inspectors
- BAFPS acts as Secretariat, manages communications and assists inspection.
- National, Regional, Local inspectors designated, trained on GAP standards.
- Inspectors conduct farm inspections per standardized procedures.
Application Process
- Applicable to individuals, small-holder groups, demonstration farms, corporate farms, PMOs.
- Submit application with farm/profile map, list of agro-inputs, GAP training certificate.
- Corporate entities must submit registration documents, operation manuals, accreditation procedures.
- Renewal applicants submit updated documents including farm maps, input lists, manuals, and monitoring results.
Certification Fees
- Initial certification analysis cost borne by BAFPS; subsequent analyses for non-compliance borne by applicants.
- Renewal analysis follows similar cost scheme.
- Regular monitoring analyses free of charge.
Audit and Inspection Procedures
- Inspections based on modules: food safety, produce quality, worker welfare, environmental management.
- Inspection involves entrance meeting, site evaluation, sample collection, exit interview.
- Inspection report with non-compliance items submitted to GAPCC.
- Monitoring inspections post-certification required.
Issuance of GAP Certificate
- Certificates issued upon compliance with standards and documentation requirements.
- Certificates include farm identification, produce scope, validity.
- Applicants notified of decisions within set timeframes; certifications endorsed by Secretary of Agriculture.
- Certification enables use of official "GAP Certified" mark.
Renewal of GAP Certificate
- Renewal required annually or after each crop cycle.
- Applications submitted one month before expiry.
- Re-audit during harvest season preferred.
- Limited validity extension possible when no produce at inspection time, provided timely re-registration is filed.
Advertisement and Use of GAP Certified Mark
- GAP Certified mark exclusive to certified farms.
- Unauthorized use prohibited and punishable.
- Use in promotional materials must be approved by GAPCC.
- Non-compliance results in withdrawal of the privilege.
Revocation of GAP Certificate
- Certificates revoked for non-compliance with major criteria of GAP standards.
- Monitoring inspections determine compliance.
Confidentiality
- All involved personnel must maintain confidentiality of applicant information.
- Certain basic information (name, address, certification status) may be disclosed.
- Disclosure allowed only with written permission or legal requirement.
Conflict of Interest
- Defined as financial interest related to applicant within one year before, during, or one year after involvement.
- Conflicted personnel must disclose and abstain from decisions or discussions.
Additional Regulations
- Subject to further regulations as necessary to ensure safe and quality produce production.
Effectivity
- The Order takes effect 15 days after filing with the UP Law Center.