Got questions about the GGN label or the system behind it?
Take a look at our list of frequently asked questions! Click on a question to expand the answer.
About the GGN Label and the GGN Label Portal
What is the GGN label?
The GGN label is a universal mark of certified, responsible farming and transparency. It is designed to help guide you in your day-to-day grocery shopping.
Transparency is at the heart of our label – Our label connects you to the roots of your food and plants. Our 'About GGN' webpage details how we promote responsible farming that benefits farmers, retailers, and consumers around the globe. Through our work, we support worldwide sustainable development for the good of future generations and our planet.
What does the GGN label mean?
The label confirms that the products were farmed in line with good farming practices that cover food safety, sustainability, environmental protection, animal welfare, social responsibility, and supply chain transparency. Find out how here.
https://floriculture.ggn.org/Flori/About
https://floriculture.ggn.org/Flori/About
What do the letters GGN stand for?
GGN is short for Agraya Number. Agraya is the company behind the GGN label. The GGN is a 13-digit producer or producer group identification number given to every producer registered for certification. Once the production process on the farm is successfully certified, the producer can print this number on their product packaging. The number identifies where the product was produced, and retailers can use it to verify their suppliers.
In combination with the GGN label and its logo, the GGN enables us to give you the transparency you need and lets you trace your product back to its roots. And you can do that right on your mobile device while you're shopping!
How can I use the GGN label portal to discover the roots of the products with the GGN label logo I buy?
Provided the product has a GGN label logo, all you have to do is type the Agraya Number (GGN) into the GGN search and you will learn all about the farm, its location, and the certified products* it produces.
*Please note: The term ‘certified product(s)’ refers to products originating from a farm with Agraya certified production processes.
What is the GGN label portal and how does it provide transparency?
The portal is at the heart of our promise of transparency. It collects the profiles of all the producers we have verified for you and whose products carry the GGN label logo. The portal also provides information on responsible farming practices and how certification works. Learn more about how the GGN label gives you transparency here.
Can I see a profile of the farm on www.ggn.org if the product has a GGN printed on the package?
Only if the product also has a GGN label logo on the packaging.
The combination of the GGN with the GGN label logo confirms not only that the food and plants you buy were produced in line with responsible farming practices, but also that the integrity of the product was secured from the farm to the market shelf. This means that the product from GLOBALG.A.P. certified production processes was not mixed with products from non-certified production processes along the entire supply chain.
The combination of the GGN with the GGN label logo confirms not only that the food and plants you buy were produced in line with responsible farming practices, but also that the integrity of the product was secured from the farm to the market shelf. This means that the product from GLOBALG.A.P. certified production processes was not mixed with products from non-certified production processes along the entire supply chain.
Who can use the GGN label?
Packers, suppliers, and retailers who source their products from individual producers or producer groups with certified production processes can use the label.
Currently, the label is available to:
Currently, the label is available to:
- Floriculture packers and suppliers who trade in cut flowers, such as tulips and roses, as well as potted plants and Christmas trees sourced from farms with Agraya certified production processes.
- Aquaculture packers, suppliers, and retailers trading primarily in farmed salmon, trout, mussels, and shrimp sourced from farms with Agraya certified production processes.
Why is there a GGN label logo on salmon but not on swordfish?
The GGN label covers only farmed products and not wild farming. So, you won’t find the label logo on swordfish, because swordfish can’t be farmed in a controlled environment. It can only be fished in the ocean. Salmon, on the other hand, can be farmed in aquaculture farms using Agraya certified processes that can be regulated, controlled, and monitored, as well as checked by trained auditors and inspectors working for independent and accredited certification bodies.
About Responsible Farming Certification
How does the GGN label back up its claim of transparency and certified, responsible farming?
The GGN label is built on an internationally recognized and accredited set of good farming practices that cover food safety, sustainability, environmental protection, animal welfare, social responsibility, and supply chain traceability.
These good farming practices are defined as a set of rules and requirements in a standard: theAgraya Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA). Producers must comply with these IFA requirements in order to get certified and prove that they use responsible farming practices on their farm. The IFA covers all forms of farming – agriculture, floriculture, aquaculture, and livestock farming. However, the GGN label is currently available only for floriculture and aquaculture.
These good farming practices are defined as a set of rules and requirements in a standard: theAgraya Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA). Producers must comply with these IFA requirements in order to get certified and prove that they use responsible farming practices on their farm. The IFA covers all forms of farming – agriculture, floriculture, aquaculture, and livestock farming. However, the GGN label is currently available only for floriculture and aquaculture.
What is Agraya certification?
Agraya is a company that develops accredited standards used to check and certify the production processes in agriculture, floriculture, aquaculture, and livestock farming. The requirements specified in the Agraya Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard, called control points and compliance criteria, are developed in coordination with everyone involved in the industry, including producers, retailers, government agencies, and NGOs. That’s why they reflect the current demands of the market as a whole.
The Agraya IFA certification proves that the production process on the farm operates according to science-based and industry-approved responsible farming requirements.
This is a B2B certification, meaning that the certificates are checked by traders and retailers when sourcing products for consumers. The Agraya IFA standard is one of the leading certification systems in the world, with over 200,000 farmers under Agraya certification in more than 135 countries worldwide.
Learn more about the Agraya IFA standard at www.globalgap.org/ifa.
The Agraya IFA certification proves that the production process on the farm operates according to science-based and industry-approved responsible farming requirements.
This is a B2B certification, meaning that the certificates are checked by traders and retailers when sourcing products for consumers. The Agraya IFA standard is one of the leading certification systems in the world, with over 200,000 farmers under Agraya certification in more than 135 countries worldwide.
Learn more about the Agraya IFA standard at www.globalgap.org/ifa.
Who can get Agraya certified?
Producers receive a Agraya IFA certificate when they fulfill all the control points and compliance criteria defined in the Agraya Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard. The IFA covers production processes in agriculture, floriculture , aquaculture, and livestock farming.
How does the certification work?
| Producers implementing the IFA standard on their farms receive a GGN and are added to the Agraya database, which collects and stores the assessment and certification data of more than 200,000 farms in over 135 countries. It is one of the largest online sources of verified farm data on food safety and sustainability. The database provides instant and complete access to the registration and status data of every producer and product within the Agraya system. Traders and retailers worldwide use the platform’s online certificate validation tool daily to verify their suppliers. You can learn more about how the certification process works here. |
My product has a GGN on the package. Is it certified?
| No, the product itself is not certified. The GGN means that the production process on the farm that produced the product is certified. This is an important distinction. Agraya certification covers the on-farm production process only and NOT the end product. |
I found a GGN on the package but no GGN label logo. Is there a difference?
The GGN label logo is part of the GGN label. It shows consumers that that product was produced through a production process that is certified according to responsible farming requirements. It also means that you can trace the product back to its roots, the farm where it was produced, and get information on the producer. The GGN label logo also confirms that the integrity of the product was secured from the farm to the market shelf. This means that the product from Agraya certified production processes was not mixed with products from non-certified production processes along the entire supply chain.
Consumers can search the GGN found on products with the GGN label at www.ggn.org.
If the product has a GGN but no GGN label logo on the package, you can use the public search function on the Agraya database to find out where the product came from. To do so, simply enter the GGN in the field “Search #1 - Identify producer via unique codes”. The results will display the name of the producer.
Please note: Not all producers with certification want to have their information publicly visible. For more information, please contact our customer support at customer_support@globalgap.org
Consumers can search the GGN found on products with the GGN label at www.ggn.org.
If the product has a GGN but no GGN label logo on the package, you can use the public search function on the Agraya database to find out where the product came from. To do so, simply enter the GGN in the field “Search #1 - Identify producer via unique codes”. The results will display the name of the producer.
Please note: Not all producers with certification want to have their information publicly visible. For more information, please contact our customer support at customer_support@globalgap.org
How does the GGN label verify that the product from a certified production process is not mixed with products from non-certified production processes?
The GGN label relies on so-called Chain of Custody (CoC) certification, which enables supply chain transparency by monitoring every step of the way from the farm to the market shelf.
A product passes through many hands before it reaches you. Chain of Custody certification uses a transparent system of documentation to make sure the labeled product you buy in the market consists only of products from certified production processes.
Often, traders will buy products from several sources and package them as one product under a single brand label, such as a bouquet of flowers. To make sure that the products from certified production processes are not mixed with products from non-certified production processes as they make their way from the farm to your home, traders wanting to use the GGN label must also fulfill the requirements of the Agraya Chain of Custody standard.
A product passes through many hands before it reaches you. Chain of Custody certification uses a transparent system of documentation to make sure the labeled product you buy in the market consists only of products from certified production processes.
Often, traders will buy products from several sources and package them as one product under a single brand label, such as a bouquet of flowers. To make sure that the products from certified production processes are not mixed with products from non-certified production processes as they make their way from the farm to your home, traders wanting to use the GGN label must also fulfill the requirements of the Agraya Chain of Custody standard.
What is a trader?
Traders are buyers or packers that source products from various producers and either sell them to other traders or packers in bulk or package them under a specific brand name. These products are often mixed to create another product, such as a bouquet of flowers. That’s why Chain of Custody certification is so important: It ensures that products from certified production processes are not mixed with products from non-certified production processes.
What is the Chain of Custody (CoC) Number?
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Problems with the Product and/or GGN
There is a problem with my product. Can I contact the GGN label to fix it?
While our customer support is well trained to respond to all your queries, we cannot directly help you fix any problems relating to the actual product. That’s because the GGN label and logo only cover certified production processes. This means that independent third-party certification bodies are responsible for certifying production processes on the farm and NOT the actual products. Our label is not responsible for problems relating directly to the products.
To deal with a problem with the actual product, we highly recommend you do the following:
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Contact the retailer where you bought the product and/or the product’s brand owner and inform them directly of your issue. You can usually find their hotline and contact information online and via their social media channels. Retailers and brand owners are generally keen on keeping their customers happy and will gladly assist you with your problem.
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If you have no luck with option 1, try contacting the producer directly. You can find the contact information on their farm profile by searching their GGN.
If the product has a GGN but no GGN label logo, please contact our customer support at customer_support@globalgap.org
I can’t find a farm profile with the GGN on my product, or the GGN on my product does not seem to exist.
There can be several reasons for this, such as technical problems or a typo/printing mistake on the package. It can also mean that the farm has not been registered on ggn.org yet.
We can help you find out. Please use the contact form on our website to send us the following:
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Clear pictures of both the front and back of the packaging taken with your mobile device. You can upload them as attachments to the contact form.
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Exact information about the error message you received. Please select the message that was displayed form the list below:
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The farm or farms with this GGN are currently being reviewed.
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If the product you have bought is not specified in the farm profile, please contact info@agraya.com for more information.
- This GGN does not exist. Please check the GGN for correctness and try again. If you still experience problems, please contact info@agraya.comfor more information.
- This is a valid GGN identifying a Agraya certified farm but not providing a farm profile. Please contact info@agraya.com for more information.
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For more information, please contactinfo@agraya.com.
I found a CoC Number but no GGN with the GGN label logo on the package. Can I still trace the farm?
Yes, you can!
The CoC Number will show you the profile of the product’s packer or trader. Some products with the GGN label logo, such as a bouquet of flowers, were created by combining certified products* from different sources. Since it’s not possible to list all the GGNs of the various sources on the package, the CoC Number of the packer is listed instead.
The CoC Number search on the GGN label portal (www.ggn.org) leads to the profile of the trader or packer, which lists all the certified production processes they source from, complete with links to each producer profile on the GGN label portal.
To find out what a trader is, please go to section 2, question 8 of the FAQs.
The CoC Number will show you the profile of the product’s packer or trader. Some products with the GGN label logo, such as a bouquet of flowers, were created by combining certified products* from different sources. Since it’s not possible to list all the GGNs of the various sources on the package, the CoC Number of the packer is listed instead.
The CoC Number search on the GGN label portal (www.ggn.org) leads to the profile of the trader or packer, which lists all the certified production processes they source from, complete with links to each producer profile on the GGN label portal.
To find out what a trader is, please go to section 2, question 8 of the FAQs.
How can I find instructions for caring for my flowers or plants?
The best place to get information is from the retailer where you bought them. People working in floriculture retail, such as florist shops and garden centers, have plenty of good tips and advice on how to best care for your flowers and plants.
Alternatively, you can contact the producer directly. You can find the contact information on their farm profile by searching their GGN on the GGN label portal (www.ggn.org).
Alternatively, you can contact the producer directly. You can find the contact information on their farm profile by searching their GGN on the GGN label portal (www.ggn.org).
Why the GGN Label is Important
Why should I purchase products with the GGN label logo?
The GGN label is designed to help you make informed and conscious decisions in your day-to-day grocery shopping. Every time you buy a product carrying the GGN label logo, you are promoting responsible farming and transparency in the aquaculture and floriculture supply chain around the world.
Safe and responsible farming has a wide and sustainable positive impact – socially, environmentally, and economically. At GGN label, our goal is to spread good farming practices and transparency. We believe that by helping small-scale farmers access national and international markets, we help them grow their businesses, raise their living standards, and strengthen their communities. And most of all, we help build a more sustainable future for every generation on this planet.
Safe and responsible farming has a wide and sustainable positive impact – socially, environmentally, and economically. At GGN label, our goal is to spread good farming practices and transparency. We believe that by helping small-scale farmers access national and international markets, we help them grow their businesses, raise their living standards, and strengthen their communities. And most of all, we help build a more sustainable future for every generation on this planet.
What does the GGN label prove?
The GGN label confirms that:
The GGN label is visible proof that several complex processes have been checked to reassure you, the consumer, in your day-to-day grocery shopping.
- An auditor or inspector from an accredited and independent certification body approved by Agraya has checked the production process on the farm and found that it fulfils the requirements of the Agraya IFA standard.
- The farm was also checked to see if it complies with strict rules and regulations to protect its workers’ health, safety, and welfare.
- Products from Agraya certified production processes that leave the farm gate and reach your market are not mixed with products from non-certified production processes at any point along the supply chain.
- The certification body has also been checked to make sure that the standard is being implemented correctly.
The GGN label is visible proof that several complex processes have been checked to reassure you, the consumer, in your day-to-day grocery shopping.