TopCrop certification: Safe Food, Sustainable Cultivation

TopCrop, previously known as the Food and Feed Safety in Arable Farming (Voedsel- en Voederveiligheid Akkerbouw, VVAK), was established in 2005 by merging food safety certificates (VVCs) for potatoes, sugar beets, industrial vegetables and cereals, seeds and pulses. Stichting TopCrop is the owner of the TopCrop standard.

The Dutch Arable Farming Certification Committee (Akkerbouw Certificeringsoverleg, ACO), the initial initiator and administrator of VVAK, now acts as the Expert Committee (CvD) for TopCrop and advises the board of Stichting TopCrop on the content of the certification scheme. The ACO was founded in 1999 and consists of sector stakeholders from the seed supply chain (Plantum NL), cultivation (LTO and NAV), trade (NAO and the Committee of Grain Traders), processing (VAVI, Cosun Beet Company, AVEBE, and Vigef), and contract work (Cumela/ProAct).

TopCrop modules are available for:

• Starch potatoes
• Table potatoes
• (Industrial) vegetables
• Cereals, seeds, and pulses
• Sugar beets and chicory

What’s the added value of TopCrop certification?

By adhering to TopCrop requirements, you gain control over the processes in your company that ensure the food safety and sustainability of your crops. The TopCrop certificate is a delivery requirement for most buyers of Dutch arable farming products.

What does Kiwa do?

Kiwa is the largest provider of TopCrop certification and works with a national network of auditors who have extensive audit experience and practical knowledge of the agricultural sector. Kiwa certifies your company according to the TopCrop standard, and we are recognized for this by Stichting TopCrop.

How does TopCrop certification work?

• After registration, we will schedule an inspection with you, which must take place during cultivation or in storage.
• Before the audit, you carry out a self-assessment using the checklist and take measures if necessary.
• The checklist must be completed annually (per growing season) and be available on the farm.
• You record your applications and other cultivation activities and collect evidence to demonstrate that you meet the checklist requirements.
• During the audit, we go through the checklist control points with you.
• After a successful inspection, you will receive the TopCrop certificate.
• The audit result is valid for three years, with inspections taking place once every three years.
• You will receive a TopCrop certificate specifying the certified crop modules.