With the launch of GRASP v1.3-1-i in 2020, several changes were introduced, including the addition of one new key element of GRASP assessments: Worker interviews as a method of collecting evidence.

Together with the GRASP Technical Committee, the GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat has developed a methodology for conducting the required worker interviews, including rules for sampling, interview duration, and document review. This methodology is called the country risk classification concept.

In short, each country is assigned a risk classification that determines to what extent the presence of workers is required at the farm on the day of the GRASP assessment.

Country risk classification

The GLOBALG.A.P. Secretariat uses rankings issued by the World Bank (Worldwide Governance Indicators, WGI) to group countries into three different levels:

1)     High-risk countries:  Countries with a WGI rating from 0 to 49
2)     Medium-risk countries:  Countries with a WGI rating from 50 to 79
3)     Low-risk countries:  Countries with a WGI rating from 80 to 100

The list of countries assigned to the three categories is updated every year, following the revision periods of the World Bank.

Country risk classification and GRASP application

The country risk classification determines to what extent the presence of workers is required at the farm for worker interviews. They apply to GRASP as follows:

1)  High-risk country: Requires the presence of workers at the farms
2)  Medium-risk country: Requires the presence of workers at the farms
3)  Low-risk country: Requires the presence of workers at the farms only if interviews are requested by the buyer and/or the producer