News Details

The Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) has released important amendments to its standard contracts effective from January 2025. These updates include revised arbitration procedures, enhanced force majeure clauses, and new provisions for sustainable sourcing requirements. As a GAFTA-registered superintendence company, General Survey Inspection is committed to helping our clients navigate these changes and ensure full compliance with the updated contractual frameworks.

The amendments reflect the evolving landscape of international grain trade, addressing contemporary challenges such as supply chain disruptions, geopolitical uncertainties, and increasing demands for sustainable and transparent sourcing practices. These updates aim to provide greater clarity and protection for all parties involved in grain trading transactions.

These contract amendments represent GAFTA's ongoing commitment to maintaining robust, fair, and modern trading standards that reflect the realities of today's global grain markets.

GAFTA Official Statement

Key Changes in the 2025 Amendments

The new amendments introduce several significant changes that traders and industry stakeholders should be aware of:

• Revised Arbitration Procedures - Streamlined dispute resolution processes with updated timelines
• Enhanced Force Majeure Clauses - Expanded definitions to address pandemic-related disruptions
• Sustainable Sourcing Requirements - New provisions for environmental and ethical compliance
• Digital Documentation Standards - Updated guidelines for electronic trade documents
• Revised Weighing and Sampling Protocols - Aligned with latest industry best practices
• Updated Quality Tolerance Specifications - Clearer definitions for quality disputes

Impact on Inspection Services

The updated weighing and sampling protocols directly affect how inspection services are conducted. General Survey Inspection has already aligned its procedures with these new requirements, ensuring that all inspections carried out under GAFTA contracts meet the updated standards. Our surveyors are fully trained on the new protocols and equipped to provide compliant inspection services from day one of the amendments' implementation.

Sustainability Focus

One of the most significant additions to the 2025 amendments is the emphasis on sustainable sourcing. Traders are now required to demonstrate compliance with environmental and ethical standards throughout their supply chains. This includes documentation of origin, verification of sustainable farming practices, and traceability requirements that align with international sustainability frameworks.

GSI's Commitment to Compliance

As a GAFTA-registered superintendence company, General Survey Inspection remains fully committed to ensuring our clients operate within the updated contractual framework. Our team is available to provide guidance on how these changes may affect your trading operations and to assist with compliance verification services.

We encourage all our clients to review the full text of the amendments and reach out to our team for any clarification or assistance needed in adapting to these new requirements.