EFISC-GTP: Standard Architecture and Risk Management Logic in the Feed Ingredient Supply Chain

The feed ingredient market differs significantly from compound feed or food production. Key roles are played by:
— international trade,
— complex logistics routes,
— multiple resales,
— storage and transshipment,
— high level of contractual obligations between parties.
In such conditions, safety control cannot be limited only to the production site. Risks arise at all stages — from raw material procurement to the moment of delivery to the final consumer.
The EFISC-GTP scheme was developed specifically for these specifics, combining requirements for feed ingredient production and Good Trading Practices.

The standard is built on several fundamental elements:
— HACCP Principles: The system is based on hazard analysis and critical control point management. However, the emphasis is placed not only on production processes but also on risks within the supply chain.
— Supplier Management: Special attention is paid to supplier qualification, assessing their reliability, verifying certification status, and monitoring changes.
— Traceability: The system must ensure transparency of product movement, including:
— batch identification,
— documentation of operations,
— the possibility of a rapid product recall.
— Incident Management: EFISC-GTP requires procedures for response, communication with customers, and analysis of incident causes.
— Good Trading Practices (GTP): This is a key feature of the scheme. It covers contractual relationships, documentation verification, and control of supply compliance with contract terms. Thus, the standard forms a unified risk management system covering both physical processes and trading operations.
From a practical point of view, EFISC-GTP is built on the principle:
Control must be proportionate to the risk level.

This means:
— laboratory tests are planned based on risk analysis;
— control frequency is determined by supply history and partner reliability;
— special attention is paid to critical types of raw materials;
— logistical risks are assessed (contamination during transport, batch mixing, etc.).
This approach allows resources to be focused on truly vulnerable parts of the chain.
Feed ingredient safety depends on the weakest link. EFISC-GTP views the chain as an integrated system including:
— raw material procurement,
— processing,
— storage,
— transshipment,
— transport,
— trading operations.
The audit is conducted taking into account the specifics of the enterprise's activities and its role in the chain.

As a certification body, when conducting an EFISC-GTP audit, we evaluate:
— correctness of risk analysis;
— validity of monitoring programs;
— supplier assessment system;
— documentation management;
— effectiveness of traceability procedures;
— readiness for incidents.
The most frequent risk zones for companies:
— a formal approach to supplier assessment;
— insufficient detailing of logistical risk analysis;
— non-systemic revision of the HACCP plan when supplies change;
— weak communication in case deviations are identified.
These aspects require not formal implementation, but a real understanding of the processes.
The scheme is particularly relevant for:
— feed ingredient manufacturers,
— international traders,
— storage and transshipment operators,
— logistics companies,
— export-oriented enterprises.

It allows for the systematization of risk management specifically in a trading environment, where operational dynamics are significantly higher than in classical production.
EFISC-GTP is not just a set of requirements. It is a risk management architecture in the feed ingredient supply chain.
The system unites:
— hazard analysis,
— process control,
— trading risk management,
— operational transparency,
— responsibility of market participants.

In conditions of growing international trade and increasing traceability requirements, such a structure allows for predictability, sustainability, and trust in the supply chain.
In the next publication, we will look at the practical aspects of the EFISC-GTP audit and typical/frequent non-conformities of enterprises.