Quality Assurance

GMP+ Certification: What It Means for Your Supply Chain

January 5, 2025

5 min read

Quality Assurance

What Is GMP+ Certification?

GMP+ (Good Manufacturing Practice Plus) is an internationally recognized certification scheme for the animal feed sector, developed and managed by GMP+ International, a foundation based in the Netherlands. It is the most widely adopted feed safety management standard in Europe and is increasingly required by buyers in North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

The "Plus" in GMP+ refers to the integration of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles into the GMP framework — making it a comprehensive food safety management system, not just a set of manufacturing guidelines.

Why GMP+ Matters

For Buyers (Feed Mills and Integrators)

**Risk reduction**: GMP+ certified suppliers have documented processes for identifying and controlling hazards — chemical, physical, and microbiological — at every stage of production and logistics.

**Regulatory compliance**: Many EU member states and major retail chains require that animal feed ingredients be sourced from GMP+ certified suppliers. Non-compliance can result in product recalls and loss of market access.

**Traceability**: GMP+ requires full traceability from raw material origin to final product. In the event of a contamination incident, certified companies can trace and isolate affected batches within hours.

**Audit efficiency**: Buyers can rely on the GMP+ audit instead of conducting their own supplier audits, reducing procurement costs.

For Suppliers

**Market access**: GMP+ certification is a prerequisite for supplying to many European feed mills and integrators.

**Competitive differentiation**: Certified suppliers command premium pricing and preferred supplier status.

**Process improvement**: The certification process often reveals inefficiencies and quality gaps that, once addressed, reduce production costs and waste.

The GMP+ Framework

The GMP+ scheme consists of several modules:

Module	Scope
GMP+ B1	Production of feed ingredients
GMP+ B2	Production of compound feed
GMP+ B3	Trade, collection, and storage
GMP+ B4	Transport
GMP+ B10	Laboratory testing

Tracer Gate B.V. holds GMP+ B3 certification (Trade, Collection, and Storage), which covers our core trading activities and ensures that all products we handle meet GMP+ quality and safety standards.

What GMP+ Certification Means in Practice

For every product Tracer Gate supplies, our GMP+ certification ensures:

**Supplier qualification**: All our producers are audited against GMP+ standards or equivalent internationally recognized standards (ISO 9001, FAMI-QS).

**Product specification management**: We maintain up-to-date technical data sheets (TDS) and certificates of analysis (CoA) for all products.

**Contamination control**: Our logistics processes prevent cross-contamination between incompatible products.

**Documentation**: Every shipment is accompanied by a full documentation package including CoA, TDS, packing list, and GMP+ delivery note.

**Complaint handling**: We have a documented process for handling non-conformities and customer complaints.

Conclusion

GMP+ certification is not just a piece of paper — it is a commitment to systematic quality management that protects buyers, suppliers, and ultimately the animals and consumers at the end of the supply chain.

When you source from Tracer Gate B.V., you are sourcing from a GMP+ certified trading company with full traceability, documented quality processes, and a commitment to delivering products that meet the highest standards in the industry.

Request our GMP+ certificate or product documentation at [email protected]

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