Canadian Horticultural Council - Certification Process

Producers, storage intermediaries and packers will complete an application form for enrolment in the Program and submit it to the CHC National Office. The Terms and Conditions of the audit (“Audit Agreement”) form part of the application. The more information you are able to provide on your application, the more quickly your enrolment can be processed. You will be required to pay the Annual Program Enrolment fee to the CHC when you submit your application.

The CHC will verify that applicants are members of a CHC member organization. Nonmembers of the CHC will pay a premium ($1,000) for access to the program materials (CanadaGAP Manuals, Training Resource Kit, etc.). Enrolees who still require program materials can obtain them from the CHC or their provincial member organization at this point. The Audit Checklist is publicly available on the CanadaGAP website.

Application forms will be transmitted to the Certification Body, QMI-SAI Global, who will assign a certified auditor to contact you to book the audit. Based on the information provided in the application, the scope and duration of the audit will be determined in advance. Providing the most detailed possible information about your operation will allow your audit to be more cost effective and concise.

QMI-SAI Global will then contact CanadaGAP-certified auditors to assign the audits. You may be contacted by the auditor to confirm the precise time and location of the audit.

After the audit, the auditor’s report is sent to QMI-SAI Global for a decision on certification. You will be charged for the audit whether you pass or fail. A score of 80% is required to pass the audit.

You will be contacted by QMI-SAI Global to confirm your certification. QMI-SAI Global will send you the final audit report and certificate. Audit fees, auditor travel expenses, and any follow-up time will be billed after the audit by QMI-SAI Global.

If an enrolee fails the audit, you will have the opportunity to implement corrective actions to achieve a passing score. For follow-up on corrective actions, if QMI-SAI Global requires more than one hour of time to verify the measures you have taken, you will be billed at the rate of $105 per hour. If an enrollee is not able to implement corrective actions to pass the audit, the Annual Program Enrolment fee will be refunded, minus the audit costs and an administrative charge of $100. A failed operation can enrol again and attempt certification the next year

Certified producers, storage intermediaries and packers will receive a CanadaGAP Program certificate, and the name of your operation will be posted on the QMI-SAI Global website. You may order signs, banners or similar advertisements to display your CanadaGAP Program compliance at the farm gate or on your buildings, in conformance with program restrictions on use of logos. Contact the CHC for further details.

Back to main page of CanadaGAP program