CanadaGAP (Good Agricultural Practices)

CanadaGAP is an on-farm program for producers, packers and storage intermediaries of horticultural crops. It is designed to help implement effective food safety procedures in its operation.

CanadaGAP Manuals are based on the seven basic principles of the internationally-recognized HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) approach. The Program is administered and delivered by the Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC), with audit and certification provided by Certification Bodies including QMI-SAI Global.

There are six different commodity-specific modules in the CanadaGAP Program:

  • Combined Vegetable
  • Greenhouse Production
  • Leafy Vegetables and Cruciferae
  • Potatoes
  • Small Fruit
  • Tree and Vine Fruit
Certification is available for all crop groupings.

What is Program Certification?

Certification is the term used by the CHC to describe the determination by a qualified authority that your operation meets the standard and is being maintained on an ongoing basis. This involves having an auditor from QMI-SAI Global, come to your operation to:

  • Review your CanadaGAP Manual(s) and related records,
  • Visit your facilities and interview the operator and staff,
  • Assess your conformance to the CanadaGAP Audit Checklist.

Since the Audit Checklist covers all six modules, multi-crop producers need only one audit. Once you pass the audit, you will be certified to the Program.

Certification indicates that you have in place in your operation a system of procedures to minimize the risk of contamination to product. QMI-SAI Global will certify your processes, not your product. The auditor gathers evidence to attest to the ongoing maintenance of your food safety system, rather than simply gaining a snapshot of your operation at a given point in time.

How do I enrol in the Program?

Those interested in being certified to the Program must enrol through the CHC. The application form is available on the CanadaGAP web site or by contacting the CanadaGAP Office. http://www.canadagap.ca/en/contact-us.aspx

Click here to read more information about the audit and certification process.





Eligible for benchmark/ recognition Option Audit Frequency Features Implementation Date
Canadian Government OFFS Recognition Program A1 Individual Supplier
  • Every 4 years - scheduled audit on-site
  • Could also be selected for random audit in Years 2, 3 and 4 of the cycle
  • Year 1 on-site audit by 3rd party Certification Body (CB)
  • Annually - if not selected for random audit, must complete sworn declaration and self-assessment
  • Annually - 3rd party CB reviews declarations & self-assessment
  • More affordable to industry while still providing annual oversight
 Sept. 1, 2008
  A2 Individual Supplier
  • Every 4 years - on-site audit (scheduled or random)
  • No more than 4 years between on-site audits. If selected for a random audit, scheduled audit date will be extended to four years from the random audit date
  • Year 1 is always a scheduled audit by the 3rd party CB
  • Annually - if not selected for random audit, must complete sworn declaration and self-assessment
  • Annually - 3rd party CB reviews declarations & self-assessments
 April 1, 2010
  A3 Group Certification
  • Annually - Group must internally audit 25% of its member farms
  • Over 4 years - Group internally audits all farms
  • Annually - Group must internally audit its own Management System and central facilities
  • Every 3 years - 3rd party CB audit of Management System, central facilities and sampling of farms
  • Annually - Remaining 75% of farms must complete sworn declarations and self-assessments
  • Annually - Group must review declarations and self-assessments
  • Group must run internal Management System and effectively act as CB for its members
  • Group Management System is subject to oversight by 3rd party CB
 April 1, 2010
GFSI-Recognized *

GlobalGAP ** 		B Group Certification
  • Annually - Group must internally audit all member farms, central facilities and Management System
  • Annually - 3rd party CB audit of Group Management System
  • Annually - Sampling audits by CB of central facilities and farms
  • Group must run its own internal Management System and effectively act as CB for its members (internal costs)
  • Group Management System is subject to oversight by 3rd party CB
  • Design of Option B is based on GlobalGAP requirements - a rigorous approach
 Sept. 1, 2008
GFSI-Recognized *

GlobalGAP **

Canadian Government OFFS Recognition Program 		C Individual Supplier
  • Annual
  • On-site audit by 3rd party CB
  • Meets international benchmarking requirements
  • Higher cost than Option A due to higher audit frequency
 Sept. 1, 2008