Scope and Coverage
- Establish revised rules for issuing, maintaining, revoking PhilGAP certificates for agricultural crops.
- Applies to farms and packing facilities with crops intended for human consumption or raw materials for food products.
- Covers crops with available Philippine National Standards (PNS) guide.
- Certification options: Individual certification (single producers); Group certification (cooperatives, corporations, associations).
- Defines roles of Certification Committee, PhilGAP Inspectors, Monitoring Inspectors, Program Secretariat, and Regional GAP Team.
Key Definitions
- Agricultural Crops: Cultivated plants harvested for human consumption.
- Applicant: Person or group applying for PhilGAP certification.
- Certification Committee: Group chaired by BPI Assistant Director for evaluation and recommendation.
- Conflict of Interest: Economic interest with applicant affecting impartiality.
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAP): Environmentally, economically, socially sustainable on-farm practices yielding safe, quality agricultural products.
- Inspection: Examination of food production and facilities for legal and standard compliance.
- PhilGAP Inspector and Monitoring Inspector: Designated technical personnel responsible for inspections and compliance monitoring.
- Program Secretariat: BPI unit tasked with coordination, communication, and document management.
Administration Structure
- PhilGAP Certification Committee (PhilGAPCC) chaired by BPI Assistant Director; responsible for evaluation, complaints, recommendations, and program oversight.
- Pool of PhilGAP Inspectors assigned to conduct inspections, prepare reports, and coordinate applicant compliance.
- Pool of Monitoring Inspectors tasked with ongoing monitoring and complaint investigations.
- PhilGAP Program Secretariat manages application assessment, inspection coordination, documentation, and communication.
- Regional Field Office Regulatory Division promotes certification and conducts pre-assessments.
- Provision for possible accreditation of Third Parties to conduct inspections and certifications.
Certification Procedures
- Eligible applicants: Individuals, groups, government/agencies managing demonstration farms.
- Documentation required includes application forms, farm profile, maps, field operation procedures, training certificates, and production records.
- Group applications require additional documentation including organizational profiles, Quality Management Systems, registration certificates, and accreditation documents.
- Application submitted to DA Regional Executive Director for endorsement to BPI for evaluation.
- Inspection uses a PNS-based checklist covering four GAP modules with multidisciplinary teams, sample collection, and follow-up as needed.
- Inspection reports submitted within 5 working days; applicants notified of inspection plan and results.
- Certification decisions made by PhilGAPCC and finalized by BPI Director within defined timelines.
- Issued certificates include detailed farm and certification information; group certificates include annex of members.
- Certified farms entitled to use the official PhilGAP mark and required to display certification signage.
Monitoring and Compliance
- Certified farms are monitored at least once or as needed during certificate validity.
- Monitoring frequency guided by prior inspection and monitoring reports.
Fees and Validity
- Certification application and initial required analysis are free.
- Costs for laboratory analysis due to non-compliance borne by applicant.
- Certificates valid for two years; renewal requires updated documentation and re-inspection.
- Renewal applications to be filed at least three months before expiration; inspection preferably during harvesting season.
Use of PhilGAP Certified Mark
- The official PhilGAP mark is exclusive for certified farms on specified crops and packaging.
- Authorized usage extends to promotional materials like brochures and letterheads.
- Unauthorized use is subject to penalties under Consumer Act and Patent Laws.
Revocation of Certification
- Non-compliance with major PNS provisions or administrative guidelines leads to revocation.
- Revocation includes loss of privilege to use the PhilGAP Certified mark.
- Appealable by affected certificate holders with valid reasons.
Confidentiality
- Production practices, customer lists, and complaints are confidential without applicant consent.
- General information such as applicant name, address, approval dates may be disclosed under specific conditions.
Conflict of Interest
- All certification personnel must disclose any conflict of interest and abstain from related decisions.
Appeals Process
- Denial or revocation can be appealed in writing within 15 days.
- Final decision on appeal to be made within 60 days.
Miscellaneous Provisions
- Separability Clause: Invalidity of any provision does not affect the rest.
- Effectivity: Rules take effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.