Slaughtering, cutting and processing plants have a high responsibility to ensure food quality. This also applies to butcher's shops. The quality assurance system of "QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH" is a uniform standard for ensuring food quality and therefore integrates the stages slaughtering, cutting and processing.

Within the ISO-family, the DIN EN ISO 22000 standard deals directly with food safety. However the scope is not limited to the manufacturing industry and service providers, like pest control or producers of additives, can also benefit from the application of the standard.

The DIN EN ISO 22000 is based on the DIN EN ISO 9001, extending requirements in particular regarding HACCP and the associated process organization. Similar to many ISO standards, the DIN EN ISO 22000 leaves cerrtain creative leeway concerning the implementation of the requirements.

FSSC 22000 is a GFSI recognized food safety standard, which is based on the requirements of the ISO 22000 and ISO / TS 22002-1. The IFTA AG offers certifications in the field of food processing. For more information see the FSSC 22000 website (www.fssc22000.com).

A certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001 has a long tradition in the food industry. It was one of the first management systems which allowed to integrate central principles of food safety. Many of the companies continue to apply the principles of the standard and benefit from ist implementation.

With its minimum requirements the DIN EN ISO 9001 establishes a framework for the quality management system (QMS) of an organization or company. It aids in meeting customer requirements and increases trust in partners. The introduction of a QMS is a strategic decision for the continual development of the organization and thus presents a future safeguard.

The DIN EN ISO 9001 pursues a process-oriented approach, which takes account of the individual steps of performance. The aim is to optimize the organization of all processes, which are relevant in the provision of products or services. Intense customer orientation and a continued improvement of the own QMS deserve particular attention.

A certification according to DIN EN ISO 14001 can disclose saving opportunities, particularly in combination with other management standards such as DIN EN ISO 50001.

The DIN EN ISO 14001 standard organizes the implementation of an environmental management system. It organizes all environmental activities of the company. The basic requirement is the establishment of an environmental policy and definition of measurable environmental goals, which shall be reached by implementing the environmental management system. The environmental management system and accompanying regulations are subject to a continuous improvement process.

Congruent with the DIN EN ISO 9001 the DIN EN ISO 14001 follows a process oriented approach, which considers the individual environmental impacts of the company. Doing so it systematizes, controls and monitors the constant analysis of material and energy flows and the gradual reduction of waste, waste water, or emissions.

The DIN EN ISO 9001 and DIN EN ISO 14001 can be combined well as an integrated management system. They are also complimented by the DIN EN ISO 50001 (energy management).

Special compensation schemes for energy-intensive businesses were established in the Renewable Energy Act (EEG), its revision in 2012, and the related instructional sheets of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA). Producing businesses with a power consumption of more than one gigawatt hour and electricity bills of at least 14% of gross value added, can apply for an exclusion from the EEG reallocation charge. Starting with a power consumption of more than ten gigawatt hours per year, a certification according to DIN EN ISO 50001 or an assessment according to EMAS III are prerequisites for the application for exemption.

As part of the Energy Tax Act and the Electricity Tax Act, the tax benefits (tax cap) for the manufacturing sector are to be tied to the introduction of an energy management system from 2013 onwards. In order to receive the tax benefits such a system must be introduced by the end of 2015 and it must be proven retroactively, that the energy intensity of the manufacturing industry has continuously decreased. Currently only DIN EN ISO 50001 and EMAS III are accepted verification systems for applicants.

The standard identifies the requirements of the energy management system of a business. This includes the planning and operation of energy production and consumption units. Resource and climate conservation as well as an operational decrease in business costs are the main goals.

The DIN EN ISO 50001, DIN EN ISO 14001 and DIN EN ISO 9001 can be combined well as an integrated management system.

The Animal Protection Label „Für Mehr Tierschutz” ("For More Animal Protection") was introduced by the German Animal Protection Association. Products of animal origin can be awarded this label, if animal-protection standards are applied, which guarantee added animal welfare beyond legal compliance. The standard aims at securing the animals’ species-specific behavior and meeting the associated requirements for husbandry conditions. The label initially covers broilers and porkers. It is planned to extend the concept to other agriculturally used species in the long run. The Animal Protection Label can be traced back to the initiative group "Animal Welfare Label" from Göttingen University, consisting of representatives from science, agriculture, processing, retail and the “German Animal Protection Organization”.

http://www.tierschutzlabel.info

Regionalfenster - "Regional Window" - which was developed on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), aims at providing customers in retail an identification label for the regional origin of the product. This regional origin is an increasingly important aspect for many consumers.

In order for a product to be awarded the „Regionalfenster” label, several criteria must be met. This includes the clear identification and verifiability of the region. Additionally it is mandatory to name the location of processing taken place, as well as the control body which has certified the product.

The EC Genetic Engineering Implementation Act (EGGenTDurchfG) regulates the labeling of foods, where genetic engineering techniques were not used. Since 2009, there is a unified logo, with which these foods can be labeled. The logo is awarded on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL) from the "VLOG - Industry Association Food without Genetic Engineering ".

IFTA AG is a member of VLOG and approved for certification at all stages of the food chain.

IFTA AG carries out certifications according to "ZNU Standard for sustainable business Food". Please contact us for more information if you are interested!

Further information about the standard can be found on the website of the "Centre for Sustainable Development of leadership" University Witten/Herdecke: mehrwert-nachhaltigkeit.de/standard.html