Participation
Individual animal feed manufacturers can participate directly in the QS system. There are a number of different ways in which they can take part in the system.
Generally, registration takes place directly via the QS software platform. It is also possible to participate via a system coordinator. For the small manufacturers of individual animals feeds, thus companies that produce less than 1000 t (dry weight) a year, a QS inspection is the minimum prerequisite for authorisation to supply to the QS system. For individual animal feed manufacturers from abroad, QS offers both the QS system participation and a method of QS recognition in order to be able to supply a system partner.
First method: Direct participation
Individual animal feed manufacturers register their business directly on the QS software platform; the initial registration is can only be carried out online. The "New registration" link is used to enter the company data of the system aspirant. A certification body must be selected for the forthcoming audit.
After the test report entered by the certification body into the QS software platform has been checked, the future system partner will be sent a system contract. Only when this contract has been signed by the system partner and countersigned by QS does the system partner receive the authorisation to supply into the QS system for the company and the relevant audited sites. As of this point in time, the system partner can then be called up via the "System partner search" function of the QS software platform . In addition, QS also authorises the issuing of the certificate by the appropriate certification body.
With the conclusion of the system contract, the system partner is authorised to use the QS mark. In order to ensure the uniform use and thus to ensure the recognisability of the QS mark, the QS mark may only be used in accordance with the specifications of the system contract and the design catalogue.
In the Log in section for mark users you will find the design catalogue for the QS mark as well as printable files.
Product identification
QS products must be uniquely labelled. The labelling must be product-specific and included on the delivery note for loose goods. For sack-sold goods, each sack must be clearly identified as QS goods. Only animal feed that is made in accordance with QS requirements and which falls under the current QS scope of application may be labelled QS goods.
Guidelines, Checklists and other Downloads can be found here.
Second method: Participation via system coordinators
System coordinators enable a wide range of different individual animal feed manufacturers, and in particular, the smaller manufacturers are able to participate in the QS system. The system coordinator supports the companies in the fulfilment of the QS criteria. They take on the responsibility for carrying out product checks at the individual animal feed manufacturer. In addition, they act as system partner (contractual partner) in the QS system. Each producer incorporated by the system coordinator represents a location. They are authorised indirectly as a business location of the system coordinator. For the authorisation, it is necessary to carry out the certification of the manufacturer by one of the QS recognised certification bodies and in accordance with QS criteria.
Third method: Participation for small manufacturers of individual animal feeds
For small manufacturers of individual animal feeds, the QS inspection is the minimum prerequisite for the authorisation to supply into the QS system. Manufacturers with a production volume of up to 1,000 t (dry weight) of individual animal feed produced per year receive a supply authorisation but do not become system partners. With the QS inspection, QS offers small manufacturers of individual animal feeds a suitable quality assurance.
The incorporation of small manufacturers into the QS system is carried out certification bodies. They implement special tasks and duties. They act as direct contacts for small manufacturers of individual animal feeds and incorporate these directly, via a participation declaration, into the QS system. The certification bodies also organises the registration and the maintenance of master data and implements the appropriate certification of the small manufacturers according to QS criteria.
Participation declaration
The small manufacturer contacts one of the QS authorised certification bodies directly. There they are able to make their binding participation declaration. In this declaration, the small manufacturer obliges themselves to introduce quality control in accordance with QS criteria and to have this monitored. The general requirements are to be communicated by the certification body.
Registration with QS by the certification bodies
The certification body registers the service provide with QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH by entering them in the QS software platform. This registration leads to the initial publication of the service provider on the QS internet pages and thus to the preliminary authorisation.
Approval
If a QS inspection is entered in the database on time, this confirms the approval for the time period for which the audit is valid. Otherwise, the authorisation becomes invalid and the company will be deleted from the QS homepage.
Fourth method: Participation of foreign individual animal feed manufacturers
Individual animal feed manufacturers from aboard are able to quality for supply authorisation to the QS system by taking part in the system itself and by means of a QS recognition. The recognition includes, among other things:
- Registration in the QS database (directly or indirectly via a system coordinator)
- Specification of a certified standard for each production location
- Specifications regarding the range of products (including product data sheet for the manufactured individual animal feed as required for the positive list)
- Presentation of a monitoring plan recognised by QS for the produced individual animal feed as well as proof of implementation
Detailed information regarding the recognition of foreign individual animal feed manufacturers can be found in the application forms and the Animal feed industry guideline. Note that QS recognised individual animal feed manufacturers from abroad are not audited.
