News

The HARPS Version 2.0 Standard launches on Monday 17^th October 2022. The Version 2.0 Standard will assist suppliers in meeting retailer requirements, and relevant Australian Laws. The revised standard is accompanied by additional support tools for growers and suppliers, including guidance for each element and how to achieve compliance. The standard also incorporates guidance developed by the Fresh Produce Safety Centre. 

The HARPS Retailer Committee said, “Version 2.0 of the HARPS Standard has been in development since early 2019 and reflects the foundational nature of the GFSI benchmarked standards, whilst building upon these requirements to ensure safety, quality, compliant products that customers expect when purchasing their fruit, vegetables and nuts in-shell.” Each element within the Standard has been reviewed, discussed and debated by the HARPS Technical Advisory Group (H-TAG),  a group comprised of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, as well as  a diverse group of industry representatives, including auditors, trainers and peak industry body representatives. The H-TAG have provided recommendations for improvements to the Retailer Committee. Notably, feedback received following a public consultation period closing in early 2021 and recent pilot audits to test the standard, have been important components of the development process. This has helped to ensure elements are practical and realistic and identify the most appropriate support tools to assist implementation by suppliers, and particularly Tier 2 growers.

Throughout the process, specific attention has been given to the requirements for Tier 2 growers, who are often less well-resourced than Tier 1 suppliers. This includes detailing which elements are relevant to Tier 2s, guidance for growers currently using Freshcare as their GFSI benchmarked standard and providing a 12-month transition period (instead of the six-month timeline for Tier 1s).

Following the 17^th October launch, Tier 1 suppliers will have six months to transition to Version 2.0, with a mandatory transition date of 17^th April 2023. Tier 2 suppliers are permitted 12 months to transition, with a mandatory transition date of 16^th October 2023. Any new suppliers to HARPS from 18^th October 2022 will require an audit against the Version 2.0 Standard. The graphic below provides an overview of the launch date and transition timelines for Tier 1 and Tier 2 businesses.