FAQ - Logistics Fruit, Vegetables, Potatoes English

All companies that have concluded a direct agreement (wholesale, preparation and processing) with QS and whose scheme participation is not organized through a coordinator pay their fee plus the applicable statutory value-added tax at the beginning of each contract year.
Companies and businesses at the production and logistics stages, as well as food retail markets, settle their QS scheme participation via their coordinator or, in the case of logistics, via the certification body. In these cases, the QS fee is included in a total invoice from the coordinator, which may also include other services provided, such as certification. QS has no influence on the coordinator's cost calculation for the scheme participant.
The QS scale of fees applicable from January 1, 2026 in the fruit, vegetables, and potatoes supply chain can be found here.

1. Via the public scheme participant search: Here, the current status of the QS eligibility of delivery can be checked without logging into the QS database.
2. Via the suppliers and recipient list: By using the lists of favorites (login to the QS database required!), you will automatically be informed by e-mail in the event of changes in the status of the QS eligibility of delivery of a deposited subcontractor (a detailed instruction about this can be found in the support area of the database).

The individual steps for participation in the QS system are explained in detail in the manual Steps to become a scheme participant - logistics. You can find further relevant information under Logistics.

In addition, the participating company may incur further costs for certification, residue monitoring, and fees charged by the coordinator for bundled companies. However, these fees are not charged by QS.

The scope of the QS Guideline Logistics Fruit, Vegetables, Potatoes applies to all logistics companies that exclusively transport, and/or store and if necessary do the order picking of fresh, prepared and processed fruit, vegetables, potatoes without becoming the owner of the products.

Companies that also wash or pack goods as a service provider or even become the owner of the goods must be certified according to the QS Guidelines for Wholesale Fruit, Vegetables and Potatoes.