QS – Quality scheme for food
The QS system is a cross-stage quality assurance system for foodstuffs and covers all areas of the production and marketing chain – from the feed industry and agriculture through to processing and retail.
The aim of the system is to ensure consistent food quality and safety. To this end, QS defines binding requirements for all market participants involved. Compliance is ensured by a three-tier control system:
- in-plant self-assessment
- independent audits by accredited certification bodies
- monitoring and system checks by the standard-setting body
Further information can be found at: https://q-s.de/ .
Our certification services within the QS system
As an experienced certification body, we offer certification services across the meat and meat products supply chain in the following areas:
Feed industry
Feed forms the basis for the production of safe food of animal origin. The QS system therefore takes all relevant processes into account.
We offer certification for the following production scopes:
- Production of feed material and compound feed
- Transport, storage and transshipment
- Feed trade
- Private labelling
- Mobile feed milling and mixing plants
A QS certification can also serve as the basis for accreditation within the GMP+ system. This requires participation in both systems as well as an annual audit by an accredited certification body such as IFTA AG.
Livestock farming (poultry)
Animal-friendly husbandry, regular veterinary visits, hygiene checks and the responsible use of medicines are among the most important QS requirements for livestock farmers.
We offer certification in the following production scopes:
- Breeder farming
- Hatcheries
- Animal transport
- Poultry farming (rearing and production of broilers, turkeys and ducks)
Participation by livestock farmers and transport companies in the QS scheme is usually via so-called coordinators. We also offer certification for coordinators as part of our range of services.
Meat industry
Animals must be slaughtered in accordance with animal welfare standards. Strict hygiene rules apply to meat processing establishments. Furthermore, the produce must be kept continuously chilled, properly packaged, clearly labelled and correctly stored.
We offer certification for the following production scopes:
- Slaughter and cutting
- Processing
- Butchery
- Meat wholesale
- Broker
- Logistics for meat and meat products
- Food retail
- Convenience
Pet food
QS also offers a quality and process assurance programme for the production of dog and cat food for companies in the pet food industry. The programme covers the entire value chain of pet food production.
We offer certification for the following production scopes:
- Transport (raw material petfood)
- Storrage (raw material petfood)
- Processing plant (raw materials petfood)
- Petfood plant
- Wholesale (petfood)
- Private labelling (petfood)
- Broker (petfood)