Agriculture is a major consumer of fresh water worldwide, mainly through irrigation. Because of this, there is an increasing attention of the consumer market and supply chains on the conscious use of this natural resource. Compliance with the SPRING Program requirements is a way to demonstrate the commitment to good practices in the sustainable use of irrigation water.
Among the items that must be observed in the SPRING Program are: the analysis and management of risks associated with water consumption for irrigation; compliance with legislation related to the use of the resource; the definition of procedures to optimize the rational and sustainable use of irrigation water; among other practices related to waste reduction, energy efficiency, and protection of natural resources.
What are the criteria of GLOBALG.A.P. SPRING?
- Legal compliance of water sources and abstraction rates: Producers must have access to all existing, new and changed legal requirements and information sources necessary to ensure legal compliance; or they must have copies of existing legislation and directives (protected areas, nature reserves, nitrate contamination of water resources, wastewater use, rights of way, among others).
- Monitoring of water consumption: All impacts (environmental, social, etc.) of water sources, abstraction, distribution and use must be assessed.
Impact of producers on sustainable watershed management: Ensure proactivity in contributing to the sustainable governance of the watershed, with collective actions to address water challenges. - Best practices in water management: Avoid negative impacts on the environment and human health.
- Protection of water sources: Measures to avoid contamination of streams, rivers, and wetlands located on their land, and practical measures to promote biodiversity in the vicinity of sources.
Measures to demonstrate continuous improvement in water management.
What is assessed during the GLOBALG.A.P. SPRING?
There are four degrees of compliance for each control point. Based on the auditor's recommendations, QIMA/WQS will define the score indicated for each specific control point, as described below:
- 3 points: full compliance with the control point.
- 2 points: high rate of compliance with the control point, considering the auditor's comments.
- 1 point: compliance is insufficient, the product must propose a corrective action.
- 0 points: total non-compliance with the control point.
Inspection Point Levels
There are three different levels of control points: Critical criteria, major criteria, and minor criteria.
- Critical criteria: Critical criteria must be met as a condition of certification, i.e. they are mandatory. The requirement is for a minimum assessment of 2 points. 0 or 1 point for critical criteria implies that certification cannot be granted. In this case, a new audit must be applied.
- Major criteria: At least 2 points must be achieved. 0 or 1 point implies that the producer must take immediate corrective action and present proof of correction within 28 days, otherwise the certificate cannot be issued.
- Minor criteria: As with the major criteria, at least 2 points must be achieved. 0 or 1 point implies that the producer must submit a corrective action plan within 28 days and the corrective actions must be implemented before the follow-up audit. If a corrective action plan is not submitted within the proposed time frame after the audit or the corrective actions are not implemented before the follow-up audit, certification will not be issued.
Why GLOBALG.A.P. SPRING Certification?
- Ensure water efficiency and promote soil health.
- Optimize the sustainable use of water.
- Reduce water waste.
- Establish greater representation in supply chains and markets.
Why choose QIMA/WQS for GLOBALG.A.P. SPRING?
- A team with over 30 years of experience in the food industry supply chain, ready to deliver end-to-end solutions to your business.
- Specialized in the food industry, with a structure designed to facilitate and expedite the complex certification process and support you every step of the way.
- Local experienced food auditors approved for multiple schemes specializing in all food safety quality areas.
- More than 9,000 satisfied clients at every stage of the food supply chai