QS audit
In a neutral audit, the QS authorised certification bodies monitor the implementation and maintenance of the stage-specific QS criteria. The audit result is represented by a final audit result (FAR). On the basis of the audit result, the categorisation of the business into a QS state is made. The categorisation of the business determines the validity period for the certificate, i.e. how long it will be until the next audit (see Table): The better the audit, the longer the time period until the next one.
Table: Audit interval for the individual testing stages, depending on status 1
| Test stage QS status | Agriculture/production, animal transportation company | Animal feed, agricultural/production coordinators, slaughter/deboning, processing, meat wholesale, retail food trade (no cooperations), wholesale Fruit and vegetables | Butchery |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | 3 years | 2 years | 1 year |
| II | 2 years | 1 year | 9 months |
| III | 1 year | 6 months | 6 months |
1 Other specifications that deviate from this may apply if international agreements have been concluded
Detailed information regarding the QS audits can be found in the Certification guideline, special requirements made of mixed animal feed manufacturers as well as mutual audit recognition processes are summarised in a working documents for the Animal feed industry guideline.
Guidelines, Checklists and other Downloads can be found here.
