- February 11, 2026
- Posted by: admin
- Category: Compliance & Standards
Kenya horticulture exporters operating under certified production systems or pursuing GLOBALG.A.P. conformity are advised to note that the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) Version 6 Smart standards for the Plant Propagation Material (PPM) and Combinable Crops (CC) product categories are now available for audit.
The updated standards, published in July 2025, became effective for auditing from 1 December 2025 and will fully replace the previous IFA Version 5.2 requirements effective 1 May 2026.
The IFA v6 Smart framework forms part of GLOBALG.A.P.’s wider transition to Version 6, designed to streamline and modernise the Integrated Farm Assurance programme. The revision introduces stronger alignment across product categories while expanding compliance criteria in key areas such as environmental sustainability, worker health and safety, production management systems, and end-to-end traceability.
Under the updated scope:
The Plant Propagation Material (PPM) standard focuses on responsible production, handling, and traceability of seeds, seedlings, and other propagation inputs that underpin commercial crop value chains.
The Combinable Crops (CC) standard applies to machine-harvested commodities including grains, pulses, and fodder crops, with defined requirements covering cultivation, harvesting, and post-harvest handling practices.
For Kenyan producers and exporters already participating in GLOBALG.A.P. certification — or those integrating certification into market access and buyer compliance strategies — the rollout of IFA v6 Smart is a critical transition milestone. Early alignment through v6 audits will support continuity of certification status ahead of the mandatory migration deadline.
Key Action Points for Kenya Horticulture Exporters
Standards availability: IFA v6 Smart for PPM and CC is currently accessible and open for audit.
Transition deadline: IFA v5.2 audits will be phased out and replaced by v6 Smart effective May 2026.
Production scope: Updated criteria strengthen requirements on responsible agricultural practices, traceability systems, and worker welfare across propagation and combinable crop operations.
Preparation: Producers are encouraged to engage approved certification bodies early to plan and schedule audits under the v6 Smart framework and ensure timely compliance.
Further technical guidance and standards documentation are available through the GLOBALG.A.P. official portal and authorised certification partners.
