Branches that do not count as legally independent entities
Companies in the food retail industry with exclusively central supply relations, as well as manager-operated stores are incorporated into the QS system by QS authorised coordinators. Coordinators at the food retail industry level are companies that unite multiple subsidiaries or companies (franchises) and act as their communication platform. The coordinator becomes a system partner in the QS system. The subsidiaries conclude a written agreement with the coordinator on the basis of which the coordinator registers the subsidiaries for participation in the QS system. The coordinator ensures the implementation of the neutral monitoring at the company.
More detailed information and notes regarding auditing can be found in the Certification guideline.
Legally independent entities in the food retail industry
Legally independent companies in the food retail industry with their own individual supply relations are able to participate directly in the QS system by registering their business on the QS authorised certification body.
Legally independent companies in the food retail industry with their own individual supply relations are able to participate directly in the QS system by registering their business on the QS software platform; the initial registration is always carried out online under the "New registration" link. A certification body must be selected for the initial audit. Under the menu item "Certification bodies/laboratories", QS maintains a list of the authorised certification bodies.
It is also possible to register via a QS authorised coordinator. Coordinators at the food retail industry level are companies that unite multiple subsidiaries or companies (franchises) and acts as their communication platform. The coordinator becomes a system partner in the QS system. The subsidiaries conclude a written agreement with the coordinator on the basis of which the coordinator registers the subsidiaries for participation in the QS system. The coordinator ensures the implementation of the neutral monitoring at the company.
QS system contract
After checking of the test report entered by the certification body into the QS software platform, 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.
Use of the mark
With the conclusion of a 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 utilisation you will find the design catalogue for the QS mark as well as printable files.
Guidelines, Checklists and other Downloads can be found here.
