After twenty years of working directly with California regulatory agencies, one thing is consistent: buyers and regulators expect documented, auditable food safety systems. Michael Wegner brings that practitioner perspective to GLOBALG.A.P. HPSS certification for California agricultural operations.

What is GLOBALG.A.P. HPSS and why it matters for California growers

GLOBALG.A.P. is an internationally recognized private-sector standard for Good Agricultural Practices. Its programs are used by retailers and importers across Europe, the United Kingdom, and many other export markets. HPSS commonly refers to the GLOBALG.A.P. Harmonized Produce Safety Standard within the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance framework; it is designed to address primary production food safety risks for fresh produce and related commodities.

For California growers, HPSS is relevant for three practical reasons:

• Market access: major European and UK buyers often require GLOBALG.A.P. or equivalent certification from suppliers.
• Risk reduction: HPSS aligns with core food safety controls that reduce contamination risk in the field.
• Regulatory alignment: HPSS supports compliance with the Food and Drug Administration Produce Safety Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and complements state-level requirements enforced or coordinated through the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

How the GLOBALG.A.P. HPSS certification process works in California

The certification process follows internationally accepted third-party certification principles. Typical steps are:

1. Decide scope and modules

Operations choose applicable modules within the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) program. For produce this typically includes crop-specific checklists, the core HPSS criteria for food safety, and optional add-ons such as GRASP for social practices or the Chain of Custody for packing facilities. Each certified producer receives a GlobalG.A.P. Number (GGN) that identifies their certified status.

2. Select an approved certification body

GLOBALG.A.P. maintains a list of approved certification bodies. Producers typically contract with an approved third-party auditor to perform the assessment. Certification bodies operate under GLOBALG.A.P. rules and issue certificates following successful audits.

3. Pre-assessment and gap analysis (optional but recommended)

Many California operations elect a pre-assessment to identify nonconformities before the formal audit. This process examines documentation, on-farm practices, worker hygiene, input controls, traceability, and evidence of FSMA Produce Safety Rule compliance. A technical consultant can perform a focused gap analysis against HPSS criteria.

4. On-site audit

The certification body conducts a full on-site audit. Auditors verify records and observe procedures related to areas such as:

• Traceability and recordkeeping (receipts, sales records, GGN).
• Water management and testing programs.
• Soil amendments and manure handling.
• Pesticide storage, use records, and maximum residue limit awareness.
• Worker health, hygiene, training, and sanitation facilities.
• Harvesting, packing, and post-harvest handling controls.
• Traceback capability and recall procedures.

5. Nonconformities, corrective actions and certification decision

The auditor issues nonconformity reports for any failures against HPSS criteria. The operation is given a specified timeframe to submit corrective action reports. The certification body reviews corrective actions and decides on certification. Successful operations are issued a GLOBALG.A.P. certificate and their GGN is activated in GLOBALG.A.P. registries.

6. Surveillance and annual renewal

GLOBALG.A.P. certification is subject to surveillance audits and annual reassessments. Any major nonconformance discovered during surveillance can suspend or withdraw a certificate. Continuous recordkeeping and internal audits are essential to maintain certification.

Audit preparation checklist for California farms

Auditors in California will look for documented systems and evidence. Practical items to prepare include:

• Complete the farm map showing fields, irrigation sources, packing areas, worker facilities, and adjacent land uses.
• Maintain up-to-date water testing logs (source, frequency, results) and corrective actions for out-of-spec results.
• Document soil amendment sources, treatment dates, and withholding periods for manure or biosolids.
• Keep pesticide purchase and application records, product labels, and re-entry intervals.
• Produce a traceability system showing how lots are tracked from field to dispatch (GGN on invoices, lot codes, packing records).
• Provide training records, worker medical policies, and hygiene signage for crew and packhouse staff.
• Demonstrate cleaning and sanitation procedures for equipment and facilities, including documented cleaning schedules and chemical safety data sheets.
• Compile FSMA Produce Safety Rule documentation where applicable: agricultural water assessments, biological soil amendments records, and monitoring logs.

How GLOBALG.A.P. HPSS aligns with US regulation

GLOBALG.A.P. HPSS is a private standard, not a regulatory requirement. However, its elements deliberately overlap with regulatory obligations enforced by federal and state agencies:

• FDA Produce Safety Rule (FSMA): HPSS recordkeeping and water controls align with key FSMA requirements administered by the Food and Drug Administration.
• California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA): CDFA provides outreach and may coordinate on issues such as commodity-specific standards, but enforcement of FSMA is federal; HPSS certification helps demonstrate due diligence to both regulators and buyers.
• USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): APHIS manages phytosanitary export certifications. GLOBALG.A.P. certification does not replace phytosanitary requirements, but it can streamline commercial negotiations with importers that also request GLOBALG.A.P. evidence.

Benefits for export markets

California producers targeting export markets, especially the European Union and the United Kingdom, gain specific advantages from HPSS certification:

• Retailer acceptance: many EU/UK retail chains recognize GLOBALG.A.P. as a benchmark for sourcing decisions and supplier approval.
• Reduced buyer audits: a valid GLOBALG.A.P. certificate and GGN can reduce the frequency or depth of buyer-led audits.
• Harmonized expectations: HPSS provides a common language for food safety practices, easing compliance with buyer specifications across multiple countries.
• Competitive differentiation: certification demonstrates a verified commitment to food safety and traceability, which can command access and preferred terms in international supply chains.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

California growers commonly trip on three issues:

• Inadequate recordkeeping. The simplest nonconformances are missing logs, unsigned records, or inconsistent lot codes. Establish routine internal checks to ensure completeness.
• Water program gaps. Source characterization and routine testing are frequent audit focuses. Work with a qualified laboratory and maintain clear corrective actions for any out-of-spec results.
• Packinghouse practices. Post-harvest contamination is a major risk. Ensure packhouse flow, cleaning, and employee hygiene are documented and enforced.

How Wegner Consulting helps

Wegner Consulting brings direct experience working with CDFA, FDA-related compliance programs, and commercial buyers. Michael Wegner provides practical, on-farm technical assistance, including scoped gap analyses against GLOBALG.A.P. HPSS criteria, preparatory mock audits, corrective action planning, compliance consulting support during audits, and liaison with approved certification bodies. The consultancy focuses on fixes that withstand both third-party audits and regulatory inspection.

GLOBALG.A.P. HPSS certification is a measurable investment in market access and risk management. For California operations that export or supply major retailers, it turns informal practices into a documented, auditable system.

Contact Wegner Consulting for a confidential consultation.