Governing Body
Global Producers
Control Points
Assessment Cycle
Required for This
Understanding the Standard
What Is GRASP — And Why Do Kenyan Farms Need It?
GRASP stands for GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice. It is a voluntary add-on module to GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) certification — designed to assess the social practices and working conditions on a farm. GRASP is implemented by more than 120,000 producers across over 100 countries, protecting the welfare of 1.78 million agricultural workers globally.
For Kenyan farms that are already GLOBALG.A.P. certified — particularly avocado, French beans, mango, rose, and fresh vegetable producers — GRASP is increasingly required by EU and UK buyers who want social compliance evidence alongside food safety certification. Major retailers including REWE, Edeka, Waitrose, and Marks & Spencer specify GRASP as part of their supplier requirements for produce carrying the GGN consumer label.
Unlike SMETA — which is a standalone social audit — GRASP is assessed simultaneously with your GLOBALG.A.P. IFA audit by the same certification body (CB). This makes it highly cost-efficient: one auditor visit, two assessments. The same CB that conducts your IFA audit must conduct the GRASP assessment, so there is no need to engage a separate audit company.
Critical prerequisite: You must already be GLOBALG.A.P. certified
GRASP can only be assessed for producers who hold a valid GLOBALG.A.P. IFA certification or a certification under an equivalent benchmarked scheme (such as Kenya GAP, which is benchmarked as equivalent to GLOBALG.A.P. IFA Version 4). If you are not yet GLOBALG.A.P. certified, Agrosocial prepares farms for IFA first, then adds GRASP as part of the same audit process.
Understanding the Difference
GRASP vs SMETA — Which Does Your Kenyan Farm Need?
Both GRASP and SMETA assess social practices on farms — but they are different tools with different scopes, buyers, and audit processes. Many Kenyan farms need to understand which one their buyers require before investing in preparation.
| GRASP | SMETA | |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | GLOBALG.A.P. | Sedex |
| Prerequisite | Must hold GLOBALG.A.P. IFA or equivalent | No prerequisite — standalone audit |
| Scope | Social practice only — 13 control points | Labour, H&S, Environment, Business Ethics |
| Assessment method | Document-based + worker interviews, done with IFA audit | Document review + physical site walk + worker interviews |
| Result | Letter of Conformance (no pass/fail grading) | Audit report uploaded to Sedex (Critical/Major/Minor) |
| Validity | 1 year — annual assessment with IFA renewal | 1–2 years |
| Cost | Low — minimal additional cost on IFA audit day | Higher — separate audit engagement and fee |
| Buyers who require it | REWE, Edeka, Waitrose, M&S, Dutch retail chains, GGN label | Walmart, Tesco, Costco, Unilever, UK/EU general retail |
| Platform | GLOBALG.A.P. database | Sedex platform |
Agrosocial’s guidance: If your buyer is a European retailer and you are already GLOBALG.A.P. certified, GRASP is almost always the right next step — lower cost, same audit day, and it unlocks GGN label eligibility. If your buyer is a UK supermarket or global food brand, SMETA is likely required instead. Many large Kenyan export operations carry both. We help you determine exactly what your specific buyers require before you invest.
What You Are Assessed On
The GRASP 13 Control Points Explained for Kenyan Farms
GRASP consists of 13 control points and compliance criteria (CPCC) — based on ILO conventions and relevant national legislation. Unlike GLOBALG.A.P. IFA, GRASP control points are graded in two levels only: Major Must and Minor Must. There is no pass or fail in the traditional sense — the assessment records the compliance level at each control point and produces a Letter of Conformance.
For individual producers there are 11 control points. Producer groups have 2 additional control points covering their Quality Management System (QMS). Below are all 13 explained in the Kenyan farm context.
CP 1 — Workers’ Representation
Workers must have access to a representative body — a workers’ committee, trade union, or similar mechanism through which they can raise concerns and participate in decisions affecting their welfare. In Kenya, this is most commonly a Workers Welfare Committee. The committee must be functional, with documented meeting records and evidence that issues raised have been addressed.
CP 2 — Grievance Mechanism
A documented grievance procedure must exist, be communicated to all workers, and be accessible. Workers must know how to raise a complaint — including anonymously where possible. Kenyan farms commonly fail this control point not because the procedure doesn’t exist, but because workers are unaware of it or feel it is not safe to use.
CP 3 — Employment Contracts
All workers — permanent, seasonal, and casual — must have written employment contracts or letters of engagement in a language they understand. Key terms must be communicated: wage rate, working hours, leave entitlements, and disciplinary procedure. Oral agreements are not acceptable.
CP 4 — Wages & Benefits
All workers must receive at least the legal Kenyan minimum wage for agricultural workers. Wages must be paid regularly and on time — with payslips provided that clearly show gross pay, deductions, and net pay. Overtime must be compensated in accordance with Kenyan labour law. Deductions must be legal and agreed.
CP 5 — Working Hours
Working hours must comply with Kenyan labour law and the ETI Base Code maximum of 60 hours per week including overtime. Overtime must be voluntary and compensated. Time records must accurately reflect actual hours worked — not nominal or contracted hours only.
CP 6 — Subcontractor Management
Where farms use subcontractors for specific operations such as spraying, harvesting, or transport, the farm must demonstrate awareness of social risks in those relationships. Basic due diligence on subcontractor labour practices is required — particularly for activities directly related to IFA-certified production.
CP 7 — Child Labour & Young Workers
No child labour — minimum working age is 18 for hazardous agricultural work, 16 for non-hazardous light work in line with Kenyan law and ILO conventions. Where young workers aged 16–18 are employed, they must not perform hazardous tasks and must have additional protections. Age verification records for all workers must be maintained.
CP 8 — Freedom of Association
Workers must have the right to join or form a trade union of their choice without interference, intimidation, or retaliation. Management must not take action against workers for union membership or collective bargaining activity. Evidence of this is assessed through worker interviews — not just policy documents.
CP 9 — Discrimination
No discrimination in hiring, promotion, pay, training, or termination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, pregnancy, disability, age, or union membership. Equal pay for equal work. A documented non-discrimination policy must exist and be communicated. Worker interviews are used to verify actual practice.
CP 10 — Disciplinary Procedures
A fair and documented disciplinary procedure must exist — communicated to all workers in a language they understand. No harsh or inhumane treatment: no physical punishment, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, or intimidation. Workers must know their rights in disciplinary proceedings. Disciplinary records must be maintained.
CP 11 — Occupational Health & Safety
Assessed under GRASP in addition to the IFA health and safety requirements. Specifically covers worker awareness of OHS rights, access to OHS information in their language, and evidence that OHS training is actually understood and practised — not just attended.
CP 12 — QMS Internal Audit Procedures
Producer groups (Option 2 or 4) must demonstrate that their Quality Management System includes internal auditing of GRASP compliance at member farm level. Internal auditors must be trained, assessments documented, and corrective actions tracked. This control point applies to cooperatives and farmer groups — not individual farms.
CP 13 — QMS Documentation
The QMS must include documented GRASP procedures, internal audit checklists, training records, and corrective action logs maintained at group level. For Kenyan cooperatives pursuing GLOBALG.A.P. Option 2 group certification with GRASP, Agrosocial establishes the complete QMS documentation framework.
⚠️ How GRASP is scored — understanding the Letter of Conformance
GRASP uses a 5-level compliance rating for each control point — from Full Compliance to No Evidence. There is no overall pass or fail. The Letter of Conformance records the compliance level at each point and is uploaded to the GLOBALG.A.P. database. Your buyers can view this data. A low compliance rating on Major Must points will concern buyers even if no formal failure is recorded. Agrosocial prepares you to achieve Full or Substantial Compliance across all Major Must control points.
Kenya-Specific Context
GRASP in Kenya — Which Farms Need It and Where It Applies
GRASP is increasingly required across Kenya’s export horticulture sector. Here is where it applies most commonly and what the Kenya-specific context means for your farm’s preparation.
Avocado — Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Meru
European avocado buyers — particularly German and Dutch retail chains — increasingly require GRASP alongside GLOBALG.A.P. for Kenyan avocado cooperatives. GRASP is essential for GGN label eligibility on avocado produce sold in European retail.
Cut Flowers — Naivasha, Thika, Nanyuki
Kenyan flower farms selling through Dutch auction (FloraHolland) or directly to European retailers face GRASP requirements from buyers who insist on GGN label compliance. GRASP is assessed alongside the flower sector’s GLOBALG.A.P. Flowers & Ornamentals IFA audit.
French Beans & Vegetables — Kiambu, Nakuru
Fresh vegetable exporters supplying European retail chains face GRASP requirements as buyers strengthen their supply chain social accountability. Many packhouses now require their GLOBALG.A.P.-certified outgrowers to hold GRASP as part of supplier onboarding.
Mango — Meru, Embu, Machakos
As Kenyan mango exports to Europe grow, GRASP is emerging as a buyer requirement for certified cooperatives targeting German and Scandinavian retail markets that specify GGN label produce.
Kenya country risk classification under GRASP
GRASP uses a country risk classification system based on World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators — grouping countries into high, medium, or low risk categories. Kenya is classified as a medium-to-high risk country, which means GRASP assessors apply more scrutiny to worker interview findings and documentation quality than they would in a lower-risk country.
This makes thorough preparation particularly important for Kenyan farms — auditors approach the assessment with a higher baseline expectation of finding social risk issues. Agrosocial’s preparation specifically addresses the documentation and worker awareness gaps most commonly associated with medium-high risk country assessments.
Step-by-Step
How the GRASP Assessment Process Works in Kenya
GRASP is conducted simultaneously with your GLOBALG.A.P. IFA audit by the same certification body. The process is efficient — one farm visit, two assessments. Here is what happens.
Confirm GLOBALG.A.P. Certification is Valid
GRASP cannot be assessed without a valid GLOBALG.A.P. IFA certification (or equivalent benchmarked scheme). Confirm your certification is current before requesting GRASP. Your existing GLOBALG.A.P. CB will add GRASP to your next scheduled audit — you do not need a new CB.
Agrosocial GRASP Gap Assessment (2–4 Weeks)
We conduct a pre-assessment against all 13 GRASP control points — reviewing your employment contracts, payroll, working hours records, grievance procedure, workers committee records, disciplinary procedure, and age verification records. We then conduct mock worker interviews to identify any gaps between what documents say and what workers understand and experience.
Corrective Action Implementation
We implement all corrective actions identified — drafting missing policies, updating employment contracts, establishing workers committee meeting records, training workers on their rights and the grievance procedure, and ensuring payroll records are correctly structured.
Combined IFA + GRASP Audit Day
The CB auditor conducts the combined IFA and GRASP assessment in a single farm visit. GRASP is primarily document-based — the auditor reviews your social practice records and conducts confidential worker interviews on the GRASP control points. The GRASP checklist is completed alongside the IFA audit checklist.
Letter of Conformance Issued & Uploaded
The CB uploads the completed GRASP verification list to the GLOBALG.A.P. database. A Letter of Conformance is issued, valid for one year — aligned with your IFA certificate renewal cycle. Your buyers can access the GRASP compliance data via the GLOBALG.A.P. database using your GGN number.
Financial Planning
How Much Does GRASP Cost in Kenya?
GRASP is one of the most cost-efficient social compliance tools available to Kenyan farms — because it is added to an existing IFA audit, the incremental cost is low. Below are realistic cost ranges for Kenyan operations.
GRASP Add-On Audit Fee
EUR 100–400
Additional fee charged by your CB to add GRASP to your IFA audit day. Approximately KES 15,000–62,000. Varies by CB and farm size.
GLOBALG.A.P. Database Fee
EUR 45–90
Annual fee for GRASP data upload to the GLOBALG.A.P. database. Approximately KES 7,000–14,000.
Agrosocial Preparation
KES 35K–90K
Pre-assessment against all 13 control points, documentation setup, worker training, and mock interviews. Lower cost than SMETA preparation due to narrower scope.
Total Estimated Cost
KES 57K–166K
Total GRASP cost including CB add-on fee, database fee, and Agrosocial preparation. Significantly lower than a standalone SMETA audit.
Key advantage: If you are already GLOBALG.A.P. certified and preparing for your annual IFA renewal, adding GRASP at the same time costs a fraction of what a separate social audit would cost. Agrosocial recommends adding GRASP at your next IFA renewal — the marginal cost is minimal and the buyer benefit is significant.
Market Access Benefit
The GGN Consumer Label — What GRASP + GLOBALG.A.P. Unlocks for Kenyan Farms
The GGN label is the GLOBALG.A.P. consumer-facing label found on fruit, vegetables, flowers, and plants in European retail. To carry the GGN label, a product must come from a farm with both a valid GLOBALG.A.P. IFA certificate and a valid GRASP Letter of Conformance. IFA alone is not sufficient.
For Kenyan avocado, mango, French bean, and flower producers targeting premium European retail, the GGN label is a powerful market differentiator — visible to consumers on shelf, signalling food safety and responsible farming. Retailers including REWE, Edeka, Coop, and various Scandinavian chains require GGN labelling for produce in their premium ranges.
GLOBALG.A.P. IFA Certificate
Required. Your food safety and traceability certification.
GRASP Letter of Conformance
Required. Your social practice assessment result.
GGN Consumer Label Eligibility
Access to GGN-labelled European retail supply chains.
Our Role
How Agrosocial Prepares Kenyan Farms for GRASP
We have prepared farms and cooperatives for GLOBALG.A.P. IFA certification across 12 Kenyan counties since 2018 — with a 94% first-attempt pass rate. GRASP preparation is offered as an add-on to our IFA preparation service, or as a standalone service for farms already holding IFA certification.
13-Point Pre-Assessment
Full gap assessment against all 13 GRASP control points. Written corrective action plan identifying exactly what needs to be in place before your CB auditor arrives — prioritised by Major Must vs Minor Must.
Social Documentation Setup
We draft or review all GRASP-required documents: grievance procedure, workers committee terms of reference and meeting minutes, non-discrimination policy, disciplinary procedure, and subcontractor social risk assessment.
Payroll & Contract Review
We review employment contracts, payroll records, and time sheets against GRASP requirements — checking wage compliance with Kenyan minimum wage, correct payslip format, and accurate working hours recording.
Worker Awareness Training
We train your workers — in Swahili and local languages — on their rights under Kenyan labour law and GRASP: wages, working hours, grievance procedure, freedom of association, and non-discrimination. Mock worker interviews identify and close any awareness gaps before the CB arrives.
Workers Committee Setup
Many Kenyan farms have a workers committee on paper only. We help establish a functional committee with proper election records, terms of reference, and documented meeting minutes showing issues raised and resolved — the evidence GRASP assessors specifically look for.
QMS Support for Cooperatives
For farmer groups and cooperatives pursuing GLOBALG.A.P. Option 2 group certification with GRASP, we establish the QMS documentation framework including GRASP internal audit procedures, internal auditor training, and corrective action tracking systems (Control Points 12 and 13).
Add GRASP to Your Next GLOBALG.A.P. Audit
The most cost-effective time to add GRASP is at your next IFA renewal. Contact Agrosocial to discuss your farm’s GRASP readiness and preparation timeline.
GRASP Kenya — Frequently Asked Questions
Is GRASP mandatory for GLOBALG.A.P. certified farms in Kenya?
GRASP itself is voluntary — it is not required to hold a GLOBALG.A.P. IFA certificate. However, if your buyer requires the GGN consumer label on your produce, or if your buyer specifically requests GRASP, it becomes commercially mandatory. Increasingly, European buyers specify GRASP for Kenyan produce — check your buyer’s current requirements.
Can I fail GRASP?
There is no formal pass or fail in GRASP. The assessment produces a Letter of Conformance recording the compliance level at each of the 13 control points on a 5-level scale. However, a very low compliance score on Major Must control points — particularly workers’ representation, wages, or child labour — will raise serious concerns with your buyers when they review your GRASP data on the GLOBALG.A.P. database.
Does Kenya have a national GRASP interpretation guideline?
GRASP can be assessed in any country — even without a national interpretation guideline. Where a national guideline does not exist, the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat requires that a project plan for developing one be submitted. Agrosocial works with the Kenyan agricultural context and ILO conventions to ensure your GRASP preparation reflects what Kenyan-based CB auditors assess in practice.
How long does GRASP preparation take?
For a farm that already holds GLOBALG.A.P. IFA certification and has basic HR systems in place, GRASP preparation typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. For a farm with significant gaps in workers committee records, payroll documentation, or worker awareness, preparation may take 4 to 8 weeks. We recommend starting preparation at least 6 weeks before your scheduled IFA renewal audit.
Can a cooperative pursue GRASP under group certification?
Yes — GRASP applies to both individual producers (Options 1 and 3) and producer groups (Options 2 and 4). For producer groups, there are two additional control points (12 and 13) requiring the cooperative’s QMS to include GRASP internal audit procedures and documentation. Agrosocial supports cooperatives through the full GRASP group certification process including QMS establishment and internal auditor training.
Related Kenya Certification Guides