GMP+ FSA and GMP+ FRA: the difference and when to use which

GMP+ FSA and GMP+ FRA are the two modules of the GMP+ Feed Certification scheme. GMP+ International describes it this way: FSA shows that you meet the requirements for animal feed safety, and FRA shows that you meet the market requirements for responsible feed. Companies can be certified for one of the two modules or for both.

In short: FSA is about safe feed, FRA is about responsible and sustainable feed. Which module fits you depends on what you do and what your customers ask for. You can read more about the requirements themselves on GMP+ requirements per module.

FRA does not replace FSA. They are two modules, each with its own purpose. Which one you need depends on your activity and your customers.

What does GMP+ FSA involve?

FSA is about the safety of animal feed. The scopes apply to the whole chain: feed production, trade, transport, storage and laboratory work. That makes FSA suitable for almost any company that works with feed.

The FSA scopes align with the European rules on animal feed hygiene, including Regulation 183/2005 . For companies that do not carry out primary production, it requires a written procedure based on HACCP.

What does GMP+ FRA involve?

FRA is about responsible feed. It is a set of scopes that market initiatives develop together with GMP+ International. Each scope has its own document. A company chooses the scopes it needs.

The scopes that GMP+ mentions include:

RTRS soya, for responsible soya production and trade
Responsible feed for pigs and poultry
Responsible feed for dairy cattle
GMO Controlled
The CO2 footprint of feed

Each scope is a separate process. You decide in advance which scopes you want to be certified for.

FSA or FRA: the difference at a glance

	GMP+ FSA	GMP+ FRA
Purpose	Showing that feed is safe	Showing that you work responsibly
Subject	Animal feed safety in the chain	Sustainability and responsible feed
Who sets the requirements	GMP+ International	Market initiatives, together with GMP+ International
Examples of scopes	Production, trade, transport, storage, laboratories	RTRS soya, responsible feed, GMO Controlled
Mandatory?	That depends on your customers and the rules for your activity. See is GMP+ mandatory	No, you choose the scopes you need
Can you be certified for one module only?	Yes	Yes, on its own or together with FSA

How do you choose?

Start with your activity. If it concerns the safety of the feed in your company or in your chain, look at FSA. Then ask your customers which sustainability requirements they set. If a contract states that your soya must be RTRS certified, look at the RTRS scope of FRA.

An example. Graanhandel Oost B.V. is a fictional company that buys feed raw materials, stores them and supplies them to livestock farmers. The company applies for GMP+ FSA for trade and storage. A large customer also wants it to buy soya through RTRS. Graanhandel Oost therefore chooses the RTRS scope of FRA. The company is then certified for FSA and for FRA, and does no production itself.

Common mistakes

Thinking that FRA is the same as FSA. FRA is about sustainability. It does not replace the safety requirements.
Applying for all FRA scopes at once. Only choose the scopes your customers need. Each scope takes time and money.
Not checking what your customer asks for. Start with the contracts and the requirements of your buyer.

Frequently asked questions about GMP+ FSA and FRA

Can I have only GMP+ FRA?

Yes. GMP+ allows certification for one or both modules. Ask your certification body whether this fits your scope.

Which module does a transporter need?

Transport falls under FSA. The transport scopes, such as B4, apply to the carriage of feed to customers. Read more on GMP+ transport and storage.

Is FSA mandatory?

That depends on your activity and the requirements of your customers. Ask your certification body. See is GMP+ mandatory for the details.