COVID-19


The Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) updates on Covid-19 can be found via this link . HortNZ is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and its potential impact on the horticulture industry and will keep growers informed via email and the HortNZ Newsletter. Growers can also see updates on the government website:

 

NZGAP Certification and Audits during Red Setting (Traffic Light System) | 31st January 2022

Certifications for all NZGAP programmes and add-ons are being delivered as usual during the red setting. To maintain the integrity of certification, audits will continue where possible during the red setting (see NZGAP guidance for undertaking audits during Traffic Light System). There are options for audits to be carried out on-site, a combination of on-site and off-site (a blended audit), or remotely (year 2+ only). The audit option selected will be dependent on individual circumstances and will be guided by NZGAP Rules for Audits during Covid-19 Pandemic, the Conformity Assessment Body Health and Safety Protocols, and the Health and Safety Protocols of the business being audited. We are continuing to monitor the situation on an ongoing basis and will be guided by official advice. 

  • NZGAP registrations, renewal and certification processes are currently being processed as usual
  • NZGAP audits will continue as usual where possible
  • Those due for an audit will be contacted by their auditor (AsureQuality or SGS) to discuss the best way to undertake the audit to ensure that certification is maintained
  • NZGAP audits may be deferred if there is strong justification. These will be managed on a case by case basis
  • If required and justified, growers may request an extension to their certification renewal date by emailing info@nzgap.co.nz or calling 04 470 5867

GAP Certification and Audits | 24th August 2021

NZGAP

  • NZGAP registrations, renewal and certification processes are currently being processed online while staff work remotely from home. Printed certificates and implementation manuals will be posted out to growers when staff can return to the HortNZ office post lockdown
  • NZGAP has developed systems and rules for remote audits which were launched in 2020 and successfully used by growers and auditors during the first lockdown
  • Dependent on your particular circumstances remote audits may be able to be carried out using the rules and processed developed. 
  • NZGAP Remote Documents:
  • If you are due for an audit you will be contacted by your auditor (AsureQuality or SGS) to discuss the best way to ensure your certification is maintained
  • Under some circumstances, NZGAP audits may be deferred if there is strong justification, or the audit must be completed on-site (e.g. new grower)
  • If required and justified, growers may request an extension to their certification renewal date by emailing nzgap@hortnz.co.nz or calling 04 470 5867
     

GLOBALG.A.P.

  • GLOBALG.A.P. certificate expiry dates can be extended by up to 6 months to allow time for audits to be completed. This can be done based on a risk assessment conducted by AsureQuality or SGS
  • GLOBALG.A.P. annual inspections, audits, and assessments can be postponed by up to 6 months, but require strong justification from the grower or auditor
  • The newly developed ‘GLOBALG.A.P. remote’ module enables audits to be completed remotely, however this is not recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
  • GLOBALG.A.P. Remote Documents:
  • If you are due for a GLOBALG.A,P audit your auditor will be in touch do determine the best approach. 

GAP and Food Act | 18th August 2020

NZGAP

  • NZGAP certification is currently being provided via online registration, renewal and certification processes while staff work remotely. Printed certificates and implementation manuals will be posted out to growers when staff return to the HortNZ office at Level 1
  • If required and justified, growers may request an extension to their certification renewal date by emailing nzgap@hortnz.co.nz or calling 04 470 5867
  • NZGAP has developed systems and rules for a ‘remote audit module’ which was launched and successfully used by growers during the previous lockdown 

GLOBALG.A.P.

  • GLOBALG.A.P. certificate validity may be extended beyond the 12 months, for a maximum period of 6 months. This can be done based on a risk assessment conducted by AsureQuality or SGS
  • The newly developed ‘GLOBALG.A.P. remote’ module enables audits to be completed remotely, however this is not recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)

Food Act and GAP audits

  • Audits in Level 3 area: should be completed remotely for non-exporters, or with combination of off-site (document and record review) and on-site visit for exporters. 
  • Audits in Level 2 area: can be completed with combination of off-site and on-site visit. Can also be completed remotely if requested by growers
  • Please contact AsureQuality or SGS if you would like to hear more about your audit options, or if you would like your audit to be postponed due to Covid-19
 

Level 2 implications for GAP certification and Food Act | 18th May 2020

Food Act 2014

On-site verifications are now permitted at Level 2 if completed alongside a recognised GAP audit, with appropriate safety measures in place. The on-site time will be minimised by availing of the off-site audit modules (e.g. sending documents and records to the auditor prior to the site visit) for NZGAP and GLOBALG.A.P.

NZGAP

NZGAP certification continues to be provided remotely under Level 2 via online registration, renewal and certification processes. Printed certificates and implementation manuals will be posted out when staff return to the HortNZ office. NZGAP audits will continue to be carried out on-site (with off-site checking of documentation and records), or using the newly developed remote option during level 2. 

GLOBALG.A.P.

GLOBALG.A.P. has launched a new “GLOBALG.A.P. remote” option which enables remote audits with immediate effect. GLOBALG.A.P. Remote is available to NZ growers, but cannot be used for the latest version (version 5.3-GFS) as remote audits are not currently accepted for GFSI recognised standards. GLOBAG.A.P. audits will continue to be carried out on-site (with off-site checking of documentation and records) during level 2.
 

Remote NZGAP Audits commence | 5th May 2020

AsureQuality and SGS have commenced NZGAP audits using the recently finalised rules and checklist for remote audits during the Covid-19 response. Papakura based tomato grower, Anthony Tringham was the first grower to be remotely audited and he said that the process went incredibly smoothly.

NZGAP Remote Audit module finalised | 17th April 2020

NZGAP has developed temporary rules and a checklist  to enable off-site (document checks) and remote audits (interview and visual evidence of implementation) during the Covid-19 response. NZGAP audits have been continuing on-site during lockdown with appropriate safety measures in place, but this new temporary measure enables on-site time to be minimised (via off-site checks) or even elimitated (via remote checks).  The NZGAP Remote module enables the continued provision of credible certification of safe and sustainable horticulture produce, while complementing growers’ adoption of new health and safety measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.

NZGAP and GLOBALG.A.P. certification during lockdown  | 27th March 2020

1. NZGAP

NZGAP is fully operational in a remote capacity and will continue to provide certification services to growers going forward. Key points for growers are:

 

NZGAP registration and renewal

  • Follow usual processes for registration and renewal
  • Growers are advised to complete forms online via www.nzgap.co.nz or via email to nzgap@hortnz.co.nz given the team are working remotely.
  • Growers are advised to make payments online via internet banking as HortNZ cannot process cheques during the lockdown
  • Electronic (pdf) certificates will now be issued and emailed to holders in place of paper certificates which are usually posted (these will however be printed and posted after lockdown) 

NZGAP Audits

  • Food Safety audits are considered ‘essential service’
  • NZGAP audits from AsureQuality and SGS are continuing as scheduled with social distancing requirements in place
  • NZGAP off-site audit module development is being fast-tracked to minimise auditor time on-site.
  • NZGAP is working with AsureQuality and SGS on development and implementation of remote audit capabilities (more information on this soon).

 

NZGAP certificate extension of up to 5 months

  • Growers can request an extension of up to 5 months for existing NZGAP certification by emailing nzgap@hortnz.co.nz. 
  • When renewal is eventually completed, the certification anniversary date will revert to the original anniversary date (plus 1 year).

 

2. GLOBALG.A.P.

  • Food Safety audits are considered ‘essential service’
  • GLOBALG.A.P. audits from AsureQuality and SGS are continuing as scheduled with social distancing requirements in place

GLOBALG.A.P. certificate validity may be extended beyond the 12 months, for a maximum period of 6 months. This can be done based on a risk assessment (conducted by AsureQuality or SGS), which has to be recorded.  

These are the only reasons that are considered valid:

  • AsureQuality or SGS wants to schedule the on-site inspection/audit after the certificate has expired in order to observe a certain part of the production process, because it has not been seen in the previous inspection/audit, because it is considered a high-risk process in terms of product safety, or to be able to see a newly added product, process or a new or particular member of a producer group. 
  • AsureQuality or SGS needs to be able to extend some certificates because of resource restraints. 
  • AsureQuality or SGS was not able to conduct the on-site inspection/audit and/or the producer was not able to receive the inspection audit due to circumstances beyond its control (force majeure) e.g. natural disaster, political instability in the region, epidemic/pandemic, or unavailability of the producer due to medical reasons. There is no need to support the decision allowing for a certificate extension based on the aforementioned criteria by a remote inspection/audit. 

 

The certificate cannot be extended: 

  • If the inspector/auditor is able to conduct the on-site audit.
  • If the producer’s reasoning not to receive the inspection/audit is not justified. 
  • If there is no on-going production and no product to be sold and the expected next harvest will not start before the end of the potential 6-month extension.
  • If the producer did not reconfirm with AsureQuality or SGS that they will continue with the certification after the extension.
  • If there is a complaint against the producer where the investigation requires an on-site revisit.

Additional reasons not to extend the validity may be added based on regular review.  

Crop extension (adding a new crop) is possible only if the new crop belongs to the same crop grouping (in terms of harvest and handling) as already certified. This procedure is also applicable to all add-ons that are assessed in combination with GLOBALG.A.P. standards.  

Further updates from GLOBALG.A.P.