1. Introduction

This document describes actions and time frames regarding the transition of the certification from the current GMP+ Feed Certification scheme into the new, re-structured GMP+ Feed Certification scheme 2020 (hereafter “GMP+ FC scheme 2020”). It identifies time frames and actions for all parties involved.

2. Scope of this transition

The new scheme documents will be more to-the-point, clearer and harmonized. It is not a goal as such to change the content, but due to the change of structure, different wording and because GMP+ FC scheme 2020 is based on ISO22000:2018, some changes are inevitable. Some small elements have therefore been added to the GMP+ FC scheme 2020 scheme and the new structure is based on the relevant process steps of the applicable scope.

The current GMP+ Feed Certification scheme consists of two modules, the Feed Safety Assurance module (FSA) and the Feed Responsible Assurance module (FRA). This structure will remain the same. The transition procedure is applicable for the whole GMP+ Feed Certification scheme, that means both modules.

Please be aware that this transition procedure aims to support the GMP+ community with the transfer from the current GMP+ Feed Certification scheme to GMP+ FC scheme 2020. However, it cannot replace careful reading of the new normative documents. For guidance, a Cross References table and a List of changes outlining which modifications to the structure have been made, will be provided on the GMP+ International website.

GMP+ accepted certification bodies accredited for the GMP+2010 scheme (based on ISO/IEC17065) can continue with this accreditation until the 1st of March 2025 or when their last GMP+2010 certificates are transferred to GMP+2020, whatever comes first.

3. GMP+ Scopes and Database

The GMP+ scopes of certification and the activities covered by each of those scopes will be described in F0.3 Scopes for certification. It is not our intention to add additional scopes to GMP+ FC scheme 2020. Scope names will be streamlined in all scheme documents and the GMP+ Company Database. This will be finalized at the moment of publication of the official GMP+ FC scheme 2020.

4. Time frames

There will be a transition period of four years. This means that two GMP+ Feed Certification schemes will be simultaneously valid for this period.

The implementation phase of three years and six months started on 01.09.2021. After three years and six months, all parties involved must have implemented GMP+ FC scheme 2020 into their quality management system. As from the end of the implementation phase all activities must have been transferred to GMP+ FC scheme 2020 (darker green part of the table).

5. Guidance for implementation

5.1. GMP+ International

GMP+ International will conduct the following activities/deliverables:

1. Investigation of a relevant accredited food/feed quality management system for the relevant activities of Certification Bodies.
2. Inform the GMP+ community (update the website, newsletters, guidance/support documents, joint meetings, road shows,).
3. Review if the examinations are up to date.
4. Provide a Cross References table and List of changes on the GMP+ International website.

5.2. GMP+ accepted Certification Bodies

GMP+ accepted Certification Bodies can provide/perform the following activities:

1. Identify the applicable requirements/reference of the relevant scheme documents and the cross reference as published on the GMP+ International website.
2. Integrate GMP+ FC scheme 2020 into the quality management system of Certification Bodies.
3. Ensure that they have an accredited food/feed quality management system for the relevant activities.
4. Training of involved auditors and personnel.
5. Perform an internal audit according to GMP+ FC scheme 2020.
6. Inform clients about scheme changes.
7. Where applicable, cooperate with the GMP+ certified companies for transition arrangements.
8. Closing nonconformities established through the old scheme.
9. Responsible for performing an audit for transition.
10. After a successful audit, a GMP+2020 certificate will be issued.

5.3. GMP+ certified companies

GMP+ certified companies can provide/perform the following activities:

1. Subscribe to GMP+ newsletters.
2. Identify the applicable requirements/reference of the relevant scheme documents and the cross reference as published on the GMP+ International website.
3. Integrate GMP+ FC scheme 2020 into the quality management system of the GMP+ certified companies.
4. Training of involved personnel.
5. Perform an internal audit according to GMP+ FC scheme 2020.
6. Closing nonconformities established through the old scheme.
7. Cooperate with the Certification Body for transition arrangement/audit.

5.4. (Registered) Consultants

The registered consultants can provide/perform the following activities:

1. Subscribe to GMP+ newsletters.
2. Identify the applicable requirements/reference of the relevant scheme documents and the Cross Reference table as published on the website of GMP+ International.
3. Integrate GMP+ FC scheme 2020 into the quality management system of the (registered) consultants.
4. Adapting Quality Manual to be provided to companies.
5. Training of involved personnel.
6. Liaise with companies to implement the relevant scheme documents into their system.

6. GMP+ audits, GMP+ certificates and certification agreements

6.1. GMP+ audits

As mentioned above, GMP+ FC scheme 2020 is focussed on making the requirements more to the point, clearer and more uniform. The new GMP+ FC scheme 2020 is based on ISO22000, therefore limited items have been added. Because of this, GMP+ certified companies can be transferred as from the date of publication of the official GMP+ FC scheme 2020 by means of the following audits:

1. Announced surveillance audit.
   All GMP+ FC scheme 2020 requirements must be verified. In order to do so, the Certification Body can decide to reduce the sample.

2. Unannounced surveillance audit.

All GMP+ FC scheme 2020 requirements must be verified. In order to do so, the Certification Body can decide to reduce the sample.

3. Re-certification audit.

All GMP+ FC scheme 2020 requirements must be verified.

The assessment of companies must take place according to CR2.0 Assessment and Certification and/or CR3.0 Assessment and Certification of additional scopes. Four years after the official publication of the GMP+ FC scheme 2020 (dark green part in the table) all companies must be certified in accordance with GMP+ FC scheme 2020. GMP+2010 audits can be performed until 29.02.2024. From 01.03.2024 audits will be performed in accordance with GMP+2020.

6.2. Certificates

Once a company has been audited (all types of audits) and certified in accordance with GMP+ FC scheme 2020, a new certificate must be issued. In the case of a surveillance audit, the validity of the GMP+ certificate will remain the same (the validity cannot be extended).

An accreditation logo cannot be displayed on a GMP+2020 certificate.

GMP+ C6 certificates with accreditation logo will remain valid until the moment that GMP+ International withdraws the GMP+ C6.

6.3. Certification agreements

As mentioned in article 2 of this document some changes are inevitable. As a consequence, certification agreements must be adapted. This can be done by issuing a new certification agreement or an addendum linked to the existing certification agreement. All certification agreements must be adapted at the latest before the first audit conducted in accordance with GMP+ FC scheme 2020.

7. After care

7.1. Audit time reduction

The minimum obliged audit times is a key element in GMP+2020. In accordance with Appendix 2 of the CR2.0, audit time reduction can be applicable. Throughout the years, audit time reduction was issued in the following way:

1. Audit time reduction issued by GMP+ International before December 16th 2016 remains valid until transfer to GMP+ FC scheme 2020.
2. Audit time reduction maximum 30%, issued by Certification Bodies as from December 16^th , 2016, must comply with Appendix 2 of the CR2.0.

7.2. Changes after implementation

GMP+ International has developed the new normative documents with the utmost care, together with the relevant working groups, but there is always a possibility that an omission has occurred in the transfer. If this is the case, GMP+ International, together with the involved working groups, will repair the occurred omission. Two types of omission have been identified:

1. Omissions which can have a direct negative effect on feed safety will be repaired by an executive decree as soon as possible (within 2 and/or 3 working days).
2. Omissions which have no negative effect on feed safety will be listed on the GMP+ International website and implemented within nine months after publication of GMP+ FC scheme 2020.