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Laboratories confirm high level of
performance
A total of 148 labs from 13 countries took part in
the two laboratory performance assessments in
spring and autumn of 2011. In line with the amended
framework conditions, the assessments focused
more strongly on day-to-day lab working routines.
As in previous years, the superior performance of
QS-approved labs relative to labs that do not yet hold
QS approval confirmed the high quality of testing
procedures in the QS scheme. One notable outcome
of the assessment process compared to 2010 was
that laboratories from outside Germany showed a
marked improvement.
Germany, total
thereof successful
Laboratory performance assessment
Spring
2009
Spring
2010
Spring
2011
Autumn
2009
Autumn
2010
Autumn
2011
Outside Germany, total
thereof successful
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Participating
laboratories
Inspecting the inspectors – QS-SIKS
The best guidelines are of little use if the quality
of inspections is not up to scratch. As part of the
scheme integrity system (SIKS), QS therefore not
only inspects the integrity of the scheme but also
the work of auditors, certification bodies and
laboratories.
Alongside the regular audits, a total of 1,121 SIKS
audits were performed last year. These took the form
of random sample audits, audits of special purpose
in suspected cases or witness and parallel audits,
where the focus is on the inspectors themselves.
The „inspecting the inspectors“ process resulted in a
K.O. evaluation for 4 percent of farms, against whom
sanction procedures were subsequently initiated.
Audit quality under close scrutiny
In future, time-staggered inspections will take
place in so-called parallel audits in order to review
the accuracy of the regular audits. This will help to
ensure consistently high audit quality. Parallel audits
are performed by specially trained expert auditors
and take place within four weeks after the regular
audit. This paves the way for hands-on evaluation of
the working practices of auditors and certification
bodies.
To ensure that the checklists are conscientiously
applied during audits, auditors must in future provide
supplementary information on individual points,
such as the numbers of the checked delivery notes.
As of 2012, auditors require special approval for the
inspection of high-risk processes in the feed sector.
Certification bodies
and laboratories
>
August 2009: contamination of rocket salad
Common ragwort or groundsel is found in multiple
packets of rocket salad, and this is widely reported in
the media. QS tackles the issue and blocks farms in
the QS scheme.
>
October 2009: federal government backs cross-stage
quality assurance schemes
In its coalition agreement, the newly elected government made up of the Christian
Democrat (CDU) and Free Democrat (FDP) parties supports „the expansion of
cross-stage private sector quality assurance schemes and their integration with the
state-organised food control system“. QS regards this as political recognition for the
importance of the industry-driven quality assurance processes in the QS scheme.
QS – Report on 2011 Outlook for 2012