7 / 8
QS-report Insert Facts, Figures and Data
| issue march/2015
Of the 12,567 regular audits conducted by QS-approved audi-
tors in 2014 in the fruit, vegetables, potatoes supply chain, over
97 percent were passed successfully. In comparison to 2013, audi-
tors assigned 37 fewer K.O. evaluations. Possible consequences of
discrepancies leading to a K.O. evaluation are warnings, sanctions,
bans or even exclusion from the QS scheme.
Audits confirm: scheme participants work responsibly
During additional random sample audits, QS checks whether the
requirements on process and origin assurance are also adhered to
in between the regular audits. The companies are selected at ran-
dom. The results of the 718 audited companies in the fruit, vege-
tables, potatoes sector show that the companies are working res-
ponsibly: in 2014, approximately 98 percent passed the additional
inspection successfully.
* In 17 of the 188 sanction procedures, producers are affected of both:
fruit and vegetables as well as potatoes. These were counted for each production scope.
In the fruit, vegetables, potatoes supply
chain, a total of 124 sanction procedures
were dealt with in 2014.
In seven cases, the independent sanc-
tion board issued a warning. One pro-
cedure was discontinued. In the other
cases, contractual penalties amounting
to a total of 45,100 Euros were imposed.
Regular audits and K.O. evaluations 2014 vs. 2013
Unannounced random sample audits
Frequent C and D evaluations 2014
Stage
Number of regular audits
(thereof K.O./no approval)
2014
2013
Total
12,567 (385)
12,366 (422)
Production (QS)
382
(7)
471
(7)
Fruit and Vegetables
257
(5)
377
(3)
Potatoes
125
(2)
94
(4)
Production (QS-GAP)
7,008 (122)
6.707 (127)
Fruit and Vegetables
4,625 (71)
4,453 (83)
Potatoes
2,383 (51)
2,254 (44)
Wholesale
465 (17)
371
(12)
Food retail
4,712 (239)
4,817 (276)
Stage
Random sample audits
Amount
(thereof K.O./ no approval)
Total
718
(12)
Production (QS)
16
(-)
Production (QS-GAP)
653
(9)
Wholesale
24
(-)
Food Retail
25
(3)
Stage
Num-
ber of
regular
audits
Amount
Requirements with frequent
C and D evaluations
C
D/
K.O.
Production (QS)
Fruit and Vegetables 257
45
23
16
2
5
2
• Hygiene (-checklist, -requirements)
• Basic user protection
• Provision for spillage/ leakage
Potatoes
125
10
12
12
945
3
1
• Stock book/ list of
hazardous substances
• Cleaning plan for equipment
• Harvesting and transportation
processes (K.O.)
Production (QS-GAP)
Fruit and Vegetables 4,625
90
191
32
347
2
112
• Employee with first aid training
• Basic user protection (K.O.)
• Stock book/ list of
hazardous substances
Potatoes
2,383
74
21
79
197
89
3
• First aid kit, first aid training
• Stock book/ list of hazardous substances
• Basic user protection (K.O.)
Violations are punished accordingly
Extract K.O. evaluations
• Use of authorized substances/plant production products
• Compliance with maximum residue levels
• Compliance with maximum quantities of expenditure
• Incoming good inspection
• Separation of goods/ traceability
Fruit, vegetables,
potatoes
2014 (pre-
vious year)
Total of sanction
procedures
124 (105)
Production (QS)*
118 (91)
Fruit and vegetables
108 (84)
Potatoes
27 (18)
Wholesale
6 (13)
90 %
of the consumers who know QS
prefer a QS-certified product to a similar
product without certification mark.
31 %
of consumers
know
the QS certification mark.