Qualität und Sicherheit

This quality label from Germany focuses on chain management, including traceability of meat as well as fruit and vegetables. This quality label aims to guarantee the sustainable quality of foods with regard to hygiene and crop protection agent residues in the production, wholesale and retail links.

The QS quality system has rules for companies in large parts of the food chain, such as:

• the meat-processing chain, starting from animal feed production up to and including meat-processing companies and shops;
• the fresh fruit and vegetables chain, starting from the horticultural sector up to and including wholesale of fruit and vegetables and (especially German) retail channels.

The QS scheme provides guidelines for the various steps in the production process, in particular supply, processing, storage, delivery and transport. Additionally, the scheme also pays attention to general hygiene regulations, staff training and traceability. A separate chapter provides guidelines on residue monitoring. Many German supermarkets require QS certification in order to be able to supply them.

A distinction is made between these three scopes:

• QS Wholesale fruit, vegetables, potatoes
This scope is especially intended for wholesalers, agents or logistics providers. If your company is IFS logistics certified, you can have this certificate acknowledged by QS so that you can transport QS products. To do this, please contact the certification agency that issues your IFS certificate. An individual QS logistics certification can be obtained via MPS-ECAS.

• QS Coördinator
You can have your company certified as a QS coordinator. This allows you to list GLOBALG.A.P. certified growers in the QS database.