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F0.3 Scopes for certification

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Version: 1 January 2024

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1. Introduction

1.1. Scope of this document

This document gives information on the scopes for certification, which are assigned to a company after a successful audit. This is part of the GMP+ certification process.

Chapter 2, gives an overview of the link between scopes and the most important scheme documents.

Chapter 3, contains a more detailed description of the activities that are ensured within a specific scope. It also provides some additional information for each scope.

2. Scope for certification

2.1. Principles

Scopes for certification can be characterized as follows:

  1. A fixed description of activities and products that are ensured within the scope of the Feed Safety Management System of a feed company. This fixed format consists of an activity in combination with a feed product or feed service. Example: Production of compound feed.
  1. Compliance with this document and feed legislation.
  1. Part of GMP+ certification assigned to a feed company after a successful audit. Feed companies, ensuring similar activities and products, get the same GMP+ certification scope.

2.2. GMP+ Scopes related to Scheme documents

For each GMP+ scope for certification Scheme documents (Feed Safety Management System Requirements and/or Technical Specifications) are applicable. In the tables below you can find per GMP+ scope for certification which Scheme documents are applicable.

When reading these tables keep in mind that:

  1. Although special attention was paid when drawing up these tables, it might be possible that because of your specific activities, you also have to comply with other (parts of) scheme documents than indicated in the tables, or with specific national legislation. It remains the responsibility of the feed company to select all relevant scheme documents and to comply with all relevant requirements.
  1. ‘Add-on’ scopes can only be assigned in addition to a ‘Basic’ scope. ‘Add-on’ scopes are to be considered as an additional specification of this ‘Basic’ scope or an equivalent scope from an another accepted scheme (TS1.2 Purchase).
  1. It is possible that certain requirements do not apply because of the specific activities of a GMP+ certified company. A GMP+ certified company may exclude these requirements. Exclusions must, however, be justified and recorded as documented information. The exclusion may not, in any event, have a negative impact on the feed safety of the activities, processes, products or services ensured via a scope for certification.
  1. Requirements may not be excluded because the certified company does not consider them to be relevant. For example, because customers do not ask for them, or because compliance with these requirements is not a legal obligation; or because the certified company considers itself too small.

Table 1: Production scopes and applicable scheme documents

Table 2: Distribution scopes and applicable scheme documents


Table 3: Provision of transport and storage services scopes and applicable scheme documents


Table 4: Laboratory scopes and applicable scheme documents


Table 5: FRA scopes and applicable scheme documents

3. Specification of the Scopes for certification

In this chapter for each defined scope for certification a table gives relevant information. These tables are structured like this:

Scope for certification

Fixed description of the certification scope.

Description

More detailed description of the (sub)activities and process steps that belong to the certification scope.

Standard

Reference to the relevant standard(s).

These are listed in the tables of Chapter 2.

Specification of scope for certification

More detailed information about which activities and feed products and/or feed services are actually assured with the Feed Safety Management System


For some GMP+ certification scopes it is mandatory to add specific information. For other certification scopes it is an option to add specific information.

Mandatory

Optional

A mandatory specification of the scope for certification.

The possibility to add more information to the scope for certification.

Add- on scopes

These scopes are linked to a main certification scopes, via application of a country note.

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

The name of the scope.

The name of the standard.

3.1. Feed production

3.1.1. Production of compound feed

Scope for certification

Production of compound feed

Description

All activities related to the manufacturing of compound feed.


In addition to actual production activities (like milling, mixing and pressing), this includes activities required for production of compound feed, including planning, procurement, transshipment, storage, internal transport and packaging. Of course, also sales of the produced compound feed is included in this scope.


Note that under the scope ‘production of compound feed’ also mobile grinding and mixing facilities may be covered.


Notes:

Activities related to the delivery of the feed to customers are considered to belong to Transport. This is a separate scope.


When storage is offered as a service to other companies, this is to be considered to belong to Storage and Transshipment. This is a separate scope.


Sales of purchased feed products without any processing is considered to belong to Trade in Feed. This is a separate scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 1 in Chapter 2.

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


  • Type of compound feed (for example specified what kind of mixture, type of animal, production of medicated feed, etc.)


  • If a company exclusively operates one or more phases/steps of the production process, these may be registered.


  • Toll manufacturer

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

  • Antibiotic-free production line(s)


  • Antibiotic-free production site


  • Dioxin-monitoring in feed for laying hens


  • QM-Milch

See table 1 of Chapter 2

3.1.2. Production of premixtures

Scope for certification

Production of premixtures

Description

All activities related to the manufacturing of premixtures.


In addition to actual production, this includes all activities required for production of premixtures, including planning, procurement, transshipment, storage, internal transport and packaging. Of course, also sales of the produced premixtures is included within this scope.


Notes:

Activities related to the delivery of the feed to customers are considered to belong to Transport. This is a separate scope.


When storage is offered as a service to other companies, this is to be considered to belong to Storage and Transshipment. This is a separate scope.


Sales of purchased feed products without any processing is considered to belong to Trade in Feed. This is a separate scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 1 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


  • Type of premixture


  • If a company exclusively operates one or more phases/steps of the production process, these may be registered.


  • Toll manufacturer

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

  • Antibiotic-free production line(s)


  • Antibiotic-free production site

See Table 1 in Chapter 2

3.1.3. Production of feed materials

Scope for certification

Production of feed materials

Description

All activities related to the manufacturing of feed materials.


In addition to actual production, this includes all activities required for production of the feed materials, including planning, procurement, transshipment, storage, internal transport and packaging. Of course, also sales of the produced feed materials is included within this scope.


Note that under the scope ‘production of feed materials’ also mobile grinding and mixing facilities may be covered.


Notes:

Activities related to the delivery of the feed to customers are considered to belong to Transport. This is a separate scope.


When storage is offered as a service to other companies, this is to be considered to belong to Storage and Transshipment. This is a separate scope.


Sales of purchased feed products without any processing is considered to belong to Trade in Feed. This is a separate scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 1 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional



  • If a company exclusively operates one or more phases/steps of the production process, these may be registered.


  • Toll manufacturer


  • “name of the feed material” – It is highly recommended to use the TS1.3 Product list. More than one product can be listed.

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

  • Antibiotic-free production line(s)


  • Antibiotic-free production site


  • QM-Milch

See Table 1 in Chapter 2

3.1.4. Production of feed additives

Scope for certification

Production of feed additives

Description

All activities related to the manufacturing of feed additives.


In addition to actual production, this includes all activities required for production of feed additives, including planning, procurement, transshipment, storage, internal transport and packaging. Of course, also sales of the produced feed additives is included within this scope.


Notes:

Activities related to the delivery of the feed to customers are considered to belong to Transport. This is a separate scope.


When storage is offered as a service to other companies, this is to be considered to belong to Storage and Transshipment. This is a separate scope.


Sales of purchased feed products without any processing is considered to belong to Trade in Feed. This is a separate scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 1 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


  • If a company exclusively operates one or more phases/steps of the production process, these may be registered.


  • Toll manufacturer

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

  • Antibiotic-free production line(s)


  • Antibiotic-free production site

See Table 1 in Chapter 2

3.1.5. Production of petfood

3.1.5.1. Compound feed for petfood

Scope for certification

Production of compound feed - petfood

Description

All activities related to the manufacturing of compound feed for pets.


In addition to actual production, this includes all activities required for production of compound feed, including planning, procurement, transshipment, storage, internal transport and packaging. Of course, also sales of the produced pet food is included within this scope.


Notes:

Activities related to the delivery of the feed to customers are considered to belong to Transport. This is a separate scope.


When storage is offered as a service to other companies, this is to be considered to belong to Storage and Transshipment. This is a separate scope.


Sales of purchased feed products without any processing is considered to belong to Trade in Feed. This is a separate scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 1 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


  • If a company exclusively operates one or more phases/steps of the production process, these may be registered.


  • Toll manufacturer

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

3.1.5.2. Feed materials for petfood

Scope for certification

Production of feed materials - petfood

Description

All activities related to the manufacturing of feed materials for petfood.


In addition to actual production, this includes all activities required for production of the feed materials, including planning, procurement, transshipment, storage, internal transport and packaging. Of course, also sales of the produced feed materials is included within this scope.


Notes:

Activities related to the delivery of the feed to customers are considered to belong to Transport. This is a separate scope.


When storage is offered as a service to other companies, this is to be considered to belong to Storage and Transshipment. This is a separate scope.


Sales of purchased feed products without any processing is considered to belong to Trade in Feed. This is a separate scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 1 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


  • If a company exclusively operates one or more phases/steps of the production process, these may be registered.


  • Toll manufacturer


  • “name of the feed material” – It is highly recommended to use the TS1.3 Product list. More than one product can be listed.

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

3.2. Distribution

3.2.1. Trade in feed

Scope for certification

Trade in feed

Description

Purchasing and subsequent selling of feed products. This concerns feed produced by third parties.


The company becomes the owner of the feed.


Notes:

  • The scope Trade in Feed must be specified. See for this the box Specification.


  • Activities related to the delivery of the feed to customers are considered to belong to Transport of feed. This is a separate scope.


  • The storage of feed products does not belong to the scope Trade in Feed.


  • Certification is not obliged for trade brokers (provider of the brokerage service) as they do not become owner of the product.


  • In case of only direct trade to livestock farms it is possible to get GMP+ certification when complying with the Technical Specification TS3.1 Trade to livestock farms.


  • When use is made of a toll manufacturer, the company still is to be certified with the scope Trade in Feed. Preferably, this scope is further specified with ‘private labelling’. See also the specification box. For a company with this scope Private labelling, unannounced audits are not mandatory as part of the certification procedure. For more details about this, see the GMP+ rules of certification


  • PO-box (Post Office box):. If a PO-box is used on contracts invoices or any other document as part of the selling process of a GMP+ assured product, it must be certified for the scope Trade in feed


  • Invoicing address: If an invoicing address is used on contracts, invoices or any other document as part of the selling process of a GMP+ assured product it must be certified for the scope Trade in feed.

  • Sales offices: as a sales office sells their produced GMP+ assured products it must be certified for the scope Trade in feed.

On the Bill of Lading (B/L) the address and maybe the specific name of the production site could be mentioned but the sales are done via this sales office. This sales office can be the head office of a company with multiple production locations or an export company.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 2 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional

Select one or more of the options:

  • Compound feed


  • Premixtures


  • Feed additives


  • Feed materials


  • The traded feed may be further specified in addition to the mandatory section.
    Think of ‘Trade in forage products’.


  • Private labelling

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

  • QM-Milch

See Table 2 in Chapter 2

3.2.2. Trade in feed - pet food

Scope for certification

Trade in feed - pet food

Description

Purchasing and subsequent selling of feed products. This concerns feed produced by third parties.


The company becomes the owner of the feed.


Notes:

The scope Trade in Feed (petfood) must be specified. See for this the box Specification.


Activities related to the delivery of the petfood to customers are considered to belong to Transport. This is a separate scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 2 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional

Select one or more of the options:

  • Compound feed


  • Feed materials
  • The traded feed may be further specified in addition to the mandatory section.

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

3.2.3. Trade to livestock farms

Scope for certification

Trade to livestock farms

Description

Purchasing and subsequent selling of feed products to livestock farmers. Also storage and transport of packaged feed is covered under this scope feed. See for more details the TS3.1 Trade to livestock farms.


The company becomes the owner of the feed.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 2 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


  • The traded feed may be further specified

Add-on scopes


Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

3.3. Provision of transport and storage services

3.3.1. Storage and Transshipment of feed

Scope for certification

Storage and Transshipment of feed

Description

All activities related to the storage and transshipment of feed products, and activities which are in general carried out by storage/collection companies


Storage activities aim to create and maintain safe conditions in order to preserve the main characteristics of the feed product and to avoid developments of any hazards. Transshipment activities often include a change in the means of transport of a feed product.


More in detail:

  • All activities necessary to enable good storage or transshipment, such as planning, internal transport and (intermediate) storage. It includes further any activity which is to be considered as part of Good Storage Practices, including hygiene measures, pest control (including fumigation), preservation measures (e.g. with acids, or by means of drying and ventilation), etc.

  • Activities which are in general carried out by storage/collection companies:

    • Bulking of feed: Transferring goods from a smaller unit into a bigger unit. For example: from bags into a bulk wagon/loading compartment, or from small containers into a tank.

    • Bagging of feed: Transferring goods from a bigger unit into a smaller unit. For example: Packing of forages in bales (cover in any wrap, make a package or packages);or from a tank into a smaller container, or from a bulk store into big bags, etc.

    • Cleaning/sieving: Removal of particles of different sizes by passing feed materials through screen(s) while being shaken or poured.

    • Decortication: Complete or partial removal of outer layers from grains, seeds, fruits, nuts and others.

    • Dehulling: Removal of the outer skins of beans, grains and seeds usually by physical means.

    • Blending: mixing of two or more batches of the same feed product for standardization or to increase the batch size. (Note: Blending performed to dilute regulated contaminants is forbidden).

    • Addition of water to, for example, molasses during storage.

    • Chopping: Reduction of particle size using one or more knives.

    • Flaking: activity where whole grains are squeezed to flat grains like flakes.

    • Fragmentation: Process of breaking a feed material into fragments.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 3 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


When applicable

  • Storage can be provided as a service


  • Transshipment can be provided as a service

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

3.3.2. Road transport of feed

Scope for certification

Road transport of feed

Description

All activities related to the transport of feed by road.


Not only the physical transport is understood by this, but also all activities that enable the transport, such as planning, purchase, maintenance, cleaning and administration.


Notes:

  • Internal transport (see for a definition F0.2 Definition list) of feed, whether carried out by own means or by a subcontractor, must be assured in compliance with requirements in TS1.9 Transport activities. However, it is not necessary to issue a scope Road transport of feed.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 3 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


  • Specification of type of loading (for example bulk, liquids, packaged goods, etc.)


  • Transport can provided as a service

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

3.3.3. Rail transport of feed

Scope for certification

Rail transport of feed

Description

All activities related to the transport of feed by rail.


Not only the physical transport is understood by this, but also all activities that enable the transport, such as planning, purchase, cleaning and administration.


Notes:

  • Internal transport (see for a definition F0.2 Definition list) of feed, whether carried out by own means or by a subcontractor, must be assured in compliance with requirements in TS1.9 Transport activities. However, it is not necessary to issue a scope Rail transport of feed.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 3 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


Specification of type of loading (for example bulk, liquids, packaged goods, etc.)

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

3.3.4. Inland waterway transport and short sea shipping of feed

Scope for certification

Inland waterway transport and short sea shipping of feed

Description

Transport of feed via short sea shipping and inland waterways.


Not only the physical transport (loading, transport and discharging) is understood by this, but also all activities that enable the transport, such as planning, purchase, cleaning and administration.


Notes:

  • Internal transport (see for a definition F0.2 Definition list) of feed, whether carried out by own means or by a subcontractor, must be assured in compliance with requirements in TS1.9 Transport activities. However, it is not necessary to issue a scope Inland waterway transport and short sea shipping of feed.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 3 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


Specification of type of loading (for example bulk, liquids, packaged goods, etc.)

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

3.3.5. Affreightment of transport of feed

Scope for certification

Affreightment of inland waterway transport

Description

Under this scope all activities can be carried out that relate to freight brokerage of inland waterway. This relates to the entire process of accepting the order, selecting and accepting a loading compartment, the instruction for inspection, the performance of and the report on the inspection the approval of the loading compartment based on the positive LCI report and the updating of administrative records.


Also companies who carry out part of the activities, like brokers or commission agents (so-called “runners”) who act as a mediator between transport companies and affreightment parties, fall within the scope of this standard.


The actual transport (loading, transport and unloading) is not included in this scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 3 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


None

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

Scope for certification

Affreightment of short sea shipping

Description

Under this scope all activities can be carried out that relate to freight brokerage. This relates to the entire process of accepting the order, selecting and accepting a loading compartment, the instruction for inspection1 , the performance of and the report on the inspection the approval of the loading compartment based on the positive LCI report and the updating of administrative records.


Also companies who carry out part of the activities, like brokers or commission agents (so-called “runners”) who act as a mediator between transport companies and affreightment parties, fall within the scope of this standard.


The actual transport (loading, transport and unloading) is not included in this scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 3 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


None

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

Scope for certification

Affreightment of rail transport

Description

Under this scope all activities can be carried out that relate to freight brokerage. This relates to the entire process of accepting the order, selecting and accepting a loading compartment, the instruction for inspection, the performance of and the report on the inspection the approval of the loading compartment based on the positive LCI report and the updating of administrative records.


Also companies who carry out part of the activities, like brokers or commission agents who act as a mediator between transport companies and affreightment parties, fall within the scope of this standard.


The actual transport (loading, transport and unloading) is not included in this scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 3 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


None

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

Scope for certification

Affreightment of road transport

Description

Under this scope all activities can be carried out that relate to freight brokerage. This relates to the entire process of accepting the order, selecting and accepting a loading compartment and the updating of administrative records.


Also companies who carry out part of the activities, like brokers or commission agents who act as a mediator between transport companies and affreightment parties, fall within the scope of this standard.


The actual transport (loading, transport and unloading) is not included in this scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 3 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


None

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

Scope for certification

Affreightment of sea transport

Description

Under this scope all activities can be carried out that relate to freight brokerage. This relates to the entire process of accepting the order, selecting and accepting a loading compartment, the instruction for inspection, the performance of and the report on the inspection the approval of the loading compartment based on the positive LCI report and the updating of administrative records.


Also companies who carry out part of the activities, like brokers or commission agents who act as a mediator between transport companies and affreightment parties, fall within the scope of this standard.


The actual transport (loading, transport and unloading) is not included in this scope.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 3 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


None

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

3.4. Laboratory activities

3.4.1. Laboratory testing

Scope for certification

Laboratory testing

Description

All activities related to performing analyses of feed.


In addition to the actual analysing of feed, this includes all activities required for performing analyses, including receiving, storing and treatment of samples, analysis, registration, reporting and archiving.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 4 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional

Specification of analysis

None

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

3.4.3. Registered laboratory

Scope for certification

Registered laboratory

Description

The analyses that fall under the scope of an accepted laboratory certificate are performed in accordance with the defined performance criteria.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 4 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional

Specification of analysis

None

Add-on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

3.5. Feed responsibility activities

Scopes of certification

RTRS segregation

RTRS mass balance

Description

Under these scopes all activities can be carried out that are related to production and/or trade of RTRS soy (including soy by-products). The applicable scope depends on the used supply chain model: Segregation or Mass Balance.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 5 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


None

Scope for certification

Responsible pig & poultry feed

Description

Under this scope all activities can be carried out that are related to production and/or trade of responsible soy and/or responsible compound feed intended for pigs and/or poultry.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 5 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


None

Scope for certification

Responsible dairy feed

Description

Under this scope all activities can be carried out that are related to production and/or trade of responsible soy and/or responsible compound feed intended for dairy.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 5 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


None

Scopes of certification

Production of compound feed - GMO controlled

Production of premixtures - GMO controlled

Production of feed materials - GMO controlled

Production of feed additives - GMO controlled

Trade in feed - GMO controlled

Storage and Transshipment of feed - GMO controlled

Road transport of feed - GMO controlled

Description

Under these scopes all activities can be carried out that are related to production and/or trade of GMO controlled feed. Also the services transport and storage can be carried out under this scope.


Note that under the scope ‘production of compound feed’ and ‘production of feed material’ also mobile grinding and mixing facilities may be covered.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 5 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional

In case it concerns the scope ‘Trade in feed – GMO controlled’, select one or more of the options:

  • Compound feed


  • Premixtures


  • Feed additives


  • Feed materials

None

Scopes of certification

Carbon footprint of feed

Description

Under this scope all activities can be carried out that are related to determine the carbon footprint of feed by compound feed producers.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 5 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional

Select one or more of the options*:

  • Compound feed


* Currently the standard only offers certification for compound feed


Add- on scopes

Add-on scope

GMP+ standard

Not applicable

Not applicable

Scope for certification

Production and Trade of responsible feed

Description

Under this scope all activities can be carried out that are related to production and/or trade of responsible feed materials and/or responsible compound feed intended for food-producing animals and/or pet animals.

GMP+ Standard

See Table 5 in Chapter 2

Specification

Mandatory

Optional


None