GMP+ certification costs and timeline

A GMP+ certificate costs money in two places. You pay an annual contribution to GMP+ International , the organisation behind the scheme. You also pay for the audits by a certification body, the company that checks your business. The total depends on your scope, your locations and the certification body you choose.

This is an overview of the cost items and the timeline. Fixed amounts per company are not on this page, because they differ by scope and location. You can find the current tariff overview in tariff document CR 4.0 on gmpplus.org. You should also request a quote from a certification body, such as Kiwa or TÜV SÜD.

Before you compare quotes, check whether each amount includes or excludes VAT.

Which costs do you pay for GMP+?

GMP+ has three types of costs. Each item goes to a different party and is calculated in a different way. See the table for an overview.

Cost item	Who receives it	How it is calculated	Source
Annual GMP+ contribution	GMP+ International	Per company. The current amount is in tariff document CR 4.0	GMP+
Audit costs	Certification body	Based on the body’s hourly rate and the minimum audit duration	GMP+ cost page
Travel and accommodation costs	Certification body	Extra per audit, depending on the location	GMP+ cost page
Consultant (optional)	GMP+ Registered Consultant	Extra costs, amount not stated	GMP+

Audit costs make up most of the bill. The minimum audit duration is in document CR 2.0, annex 2. For a simple company with a short process, the minimum audit duration can be reduced by up to 30%. This is stated on the GMP+ cost page.

What does the annual contribution cover?

As a certified company, you pay a contribution to GMP+ International. Ask for a breakdown in your quote: which part is the contribution to GMP+ International and which part is the audit.

What does the audit look like in practice?

A certificate is valid for up to three years. Each year, the certification body visits you for an audit, usually within a window of 12 to 14 months. After three years, you apply for recertification, which you complete with an audit.

For example, Van Dijk Feed Mixing B.V. is a fictional company with one location and one scope. The first audit costs an amount based on the minimum audit duration and the body’s hourly rate. In the years after that, a follow-up audit is added each year. After three years, recertification follows. The annual costs are then the contribution to GMP+ International plus the follow-up audit.

Indicative timeline from application to certificate

The process broadly runs as follows. The exact duration depends on your certification body’s planning and on how quickly your documentation is in order. Ask the body for the expected date of the first audit.

Request a quote

Ask two or three certification bodies for a quote for your scope and locations. Compare the audit duration and the rates.

Preparation

Record your procedures, with HACCP procedures as the basis. A consultant is optional and costs extra.

First audit

The certification body checks your company. If the result is good, the certificate follows.

Annual follow-up audit

Every year, within the window of 12 to 14 months, the body returns.

Recertification after three years

After three years, you apply for recertification. Then the cycle starts again.

Common mistakes when comparing costs

Looking only at the audit price. Travel and accommodation costs and the GMP+ contribution are added on top.
Forgetting the scope. A quote for one scope cannot be compared with a quote for three.
Underestimating preparation. A missing internal procedure takes time before the audit can start.
Ignoring the annual audit. The certificate also costs money in years two and three, not only in the first year.

Frequently asked questions about GMP+ costs

How often do I pay for a GMP+ audit?

Every year. The certificate is valid for up to three years, and during that period the certification body checks you every year. After three years, you pay for recertification.

Do I need to hire a consultant?

No, that is not required. You can also set up the system yourself with your own quality department. A consultant costs extra, and the amount is not on the GMP+ page. Ask the consultant directly for the price.

Can I reduce the audit costs?

For simple companies, the minimum audit duration can be reduced by up to 30%, as stated on the GMP+ cost page. Ask your certification body whether your company qualifies. Also prepare well, so that the audit runs smoothly.