The GLOBALG.A.P. Standard (formerly EurepGAP) was developed in 1997, following an initiative of the European retail sector, to sustain consumer confidence in the production of agricultural products.

Food safety and traceability, minimization of detrimental environmental impacts, reduced use of drugs and pesticides and measures to secure animal and human safety and health are focal points of this international voluntary standard.

GLOBALG.A.P. is a standard consisting of several modules for different product groups, encompassing plant and animal production as well as the production of seeding material and compound feed. The IFTA AG is accredited to certify Integrated Farm Assurance in the areas of fruit and vegetables (Option 1 and 2).

The GLOBALG.A.P. certification can optionally be expanded by the additional module GRASP (GLO-BAL G.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice). In this module specific aspects of occupational safety, health and social needs of workers are evaluated.

Especially for agricultural businesses the participation in the QS system appears indispensable. The proof of compliance is a prerequisite to offer their products in the market.

The QS system includes all stages of production, processing and marketing of food. Starting with farms and continuing through the chain up to food retail stores, the system defines requirements for market participants, which are inspected in a three-step system by internal self-monitoring, independent surveillance and the internal control system of the “QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH”. Currently two main systematic supply chains are identified; the supply chain meat and the supply chain fruit, vegetables and potatoes.

The Animal Protection Label „Für Mehr Tierschutz” ("For More Animal Protection") was introduced by the German Animal Protection Association. Products of animal origin can be awarded this label, if animal-protection standards are applied, which guarantee added animal welfare beyond legal compliance. The standard aims at securing the animals’ species-specific behavior and meeting the associated requirements for husbandry conditions. The label initially covers broilers and porkers. It is planned to extend the concept to other agriculturally used species in the long run. The Animal Protection Label can be traced back to the initiative group "Animal Welfare Label" from Göttingen University, consisting of representatives from science, agriculture, processing, retail and the “German Animal Protection Organization”.

http://www.tierschutzlabel.info

Initiative Tierwohl - the Animal Welfare Initiative - has developed a scheme of measurable animal welfare criteria in cooperation with science and industry, which go well beyond legal regulations and are an extension of the recognized quality assurance systems in Germany.

IFTA AG has been approved as an independent certification authority for the initiative. By controlling the implementation of measures in the livestock farms, we take responsibility as a certification body to actively participate in the improvement of animal welfare. In addition to the Animal Welfare Initiative we also provide the appropriate climate and water checks for pig and poultry husbandry.

Regionalfenster - "Regional Window" - which was developed on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), aims at providing customers in retail an identification label for the regional origin of the product. This regional origin is an increasingly important aspect for many consumers.

In order for a product to be awarded the „Regionalfenster” label, several criteria must be met. This includes the clear identification and verifiability of the region. Additionally it is mandatory to name the location of processing taken place, as well as the control body which has certified the product.

A certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001 is particularly interesting for larger agricultural businesses and producer groups. Consultancies or audit and control organizations can similarly benefit from a certification of their organization.

With its minimum requirements the DIN EN ISO 9001 establishes a framework for the quality management system (QMS) of an organization or company. It aids in meeting customer requirements and increases trust in partners. The introduction of a QMS is a strategic decision for the continual development of the organization and thus presents a future safeguard.

The DIN EN ISO 9001 pursues a process-oriented approach, which takes account of the individual steps of performance. The aim is to optimize the organization of all processes, which are relevant in the provision of products or services. Intense customer orientation and a continued improvement of the own QMS deserve particular attention.

A certification according to DIN EN ISO 14001 is of interest to farms due to two reasons. On the one hand savings can be disclosed by the application of an environmental management system. On the other hand it leads to an improvement in image and public perception.

The DIN EN ISO 14001 standard organizes the implementation of an environmental management system. It organizes all environmental activities of the company. The basic requirement is the establishment of an environmental policy and definition of measurable environmental goals, which shall be reached by implementing the environmental management system. The environmental management system and accompanying regulations are subject to a continuous improvement process.

Congruent with the DIN EN ISO 9001 the DIN EN ISO 14001 follows a process oriented approach, which considers the individual environmental impacts of the company. Doing so it systematizes, controls and monitors the constant analysis of material and energy flows and the gradual reduction of waste, waste water, or emissions.

The DIN EN ISO 9001 and DIN EN ISO 14001 can be combined well as an integrated management system. They are also complimented by the DIN EN ISO 50001 (energy management).

Special compensation schemes for energy-intensive businesses were established in the Renewable Energy Act (EEG), its revision in 2012, and the related instructional sheets of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA). Producing businesses with a power consumption of more than one gigawatt hour and electricity bills of at least 14% of gross value added, can apply for an exclusion from the EEG reallocation charge. Starting with a power consumption of more than ten gigawatt hours per year, a certification according to DIN EN ISO 50001 or an assessment according to EMAS III are prerequisites for the application for exemption.

As part of the Energy Tax Act and the Electricity Tax Act, the tax benefits (tax cap) for the manufacturing sector are to be tied to the introduction of an energy management system from 2013 onwards. In order to receive the tax benefits such a system must be introduced by the end of 2015 and it must be proven retroactively, that the energy intensity of the manufacturing industry has continuously decreased. Currently only DIN EN ISO 50001 and EMAS III are accepted verification systems for applicants.

The standard identifies the requirements of the energy management system of a business. This includes the planning and operation of energy production and consumption units. Resource and climate conservation as well as an operational decrease in business costs are the main goals.

The DIN EN ISO 50001, DIN EN ISO 14001 and DIN EN ISO 9001 can be combined well as an integrated management system.

EMAS or Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, also known as eco-audit is based on the "Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organizations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS)”

State-approved environmental auditors monitor organizations, which claim to improve their environmental performance as part of an environmental statement. Focus lies on environmental performance, but administrative organization which can influence the former is equally evaluated. In doing so the auditors gain comprehensive knowledge of the company and its environmental efforts.

For more information, please feel free to contact us. We will inform you or forward your request to our environmental auditors.

The system REDcert ensures the mandatory sustainability certification for biofuels and liquid biomass based on national regulations (Biomass Sustainability Regulations BioSt NachV and Biofuels Sustainability Ordinance = REDcert DE) and European specifications (EU Renewable Energy Directive = REDcert EU). The certification system is applicable for all applicable stages i.e. raw material production and acquisition, processing and production of biofuel and distillate fuels. The REDcert system is also suitable as a certification system according to 36. BImSchV. It is open to all companies that collect wastes and residues or produce fuel from these materials, to be certified according to REDcert DE, in order to get the biofuels counted double towards the fulfillment of the biofuel quota.

Since October 2015 it is possible for detecting traders, processors as well as members of the food and beverage industry to certify biomass in the food sector after REDcert2 system. It is based on the REDcert EU system and is applicable at the stages of raw material production and acquisition, trade and processing.

The Act on Granting Priority to Renewable Energy Sources (EEG) regulates the acceptance and compensation of electricity generated exclusively from renewable sources by utility companies. The level of remuneration varies depending on the biomass used and the overall plant performance. The operator of an EEG plant is obliged to provide relevant data to the utility company for the settlement of the previous year’s balance by the 28th of February. In plants covered by the EEG 2009 (commissioning to 31.12.2011) the base compensation is supplemented by various cumulative bonuses, such as technology, cogeneration, manure, renewable raw material, air resource or landscape management bonuses. In certain cases an environmental appraisal is also required to qualify for the bonus. During environmental verification a wide array of data is collected, including but not limited to electricity meter readings, feedstock diary, delivery and weighing notes and invoices. In addition a plausibility calculation is made to ensure the congruence of plant prerequisites and energy generated.

The EC Genetic Engineering Implementation Act (EGGenTDurchfG) regulates the labeling of foods, where genetic engineering techniques were not used. Since 2009, there is a unified logo, with which these foods can be labeled. The logo is awarded on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL) from the "VLOG - Industry Association Food without Genetic Engineering ".

The IFTA AG is a member of VLOG and approved for certification at all stages of the food chain.