QS Certification Mark

Our aim is to confirm consumer confidence in fresh food every day. The QS certification mark stands for a high level of safety for meat and sausage products, fruit, vegetables and potatoes. QS is the leading standard for food safety in Germany: 95% of all fresh pork and poultry, 85% of beef and 90% of fruit, vegetables and potatoes from Germany are QS certified. More than 25,000 branches of the food retail offer beef and pork, poultry, sausage and ham as well as a wide range of fruit and vegetables with the blue QS certification mark.

By displaying the QS certification mark on their products, the scheme participants show that they produce and market their products in accordance with the requirements of the QS scheme - from farm to shop.

For consumers, the blue QS certification mark has served as a symbol for almost 20 years as a clear signal for food with controlled production and marketing processes. It signals compliance with the QS requirements for the production and marketing of meat and sausage products and fruit, vegetables and potatoes as well as assured processes and product quality.

The blue QS certification mark

Shared responsibility

The circle symbolizes the commonality and solidarity of all partners in their responsibility for the product. Only when the safety of a food product has been conclusively confirmed across all stages and partners may it bear the blue QS certification mark. The blue colour stands for freshness and hygiene.

Consistent quality assurance

The arrow conveys the focus on the common goal: consistent quality assurance for safe food from farm to shop. And it indicates that it goes even further: because after the purchase - during transport, storage and preparation of fresh food - the responsibility for quality assurance lies with you, the consumer.

Cross stage scheme

The stages in the circle represent all the groups involved in the production and marketing of food: Feed producers, farmers, slaughtering and deboning plants, processing companies, wholesalers, food retailers.

The QS certification mark - consolidating trust, creating transparency

By using the QS certification mark correctly, you help to achieve brand strength and recognition and thus give the customer a clear signal for safe food from companies with inspected processes.

The style guide for the QS certification mark provides information in compact form about the rules for the correct presentation of the QS certification mark and its possible applications in communication. For your support, the guide contains numerous examples that illustrate the use of the certification mark on advertising media, packaging materials and in corporate communications.

QS certification mark - Signal for safe products

Via the following links you can log directly into our partner section 'Usage of QS Certification Mark' and use our form for an easier release request.

What does the QS certification mark stand for?

Login partner section 'Usage of QS Certification Mark'

Application for use of the mark and release form

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What does the QS certification mark stand for?

Login partner section 'Usage of QS Certification Mark'

Application for use of the mark and release form

As a QS scheme participant, do I continue to use the QS certification mark for labelling on packaging materials, delivery notes and shipping documents?

Does the introduction of the new QS company logo change anything for scheme participants?

Will QS certified products still be labeled with the QS certification mark?

QS certification mark - Further FAQs

At which position in the test report should the mark QS-approved laboratory mark be displayed?

Can a QS-approved laboratory advertise with the QS certification mark?

Do media and advertising material bearing the QS certification mark have to be approved by QS before going to print?

How do I use the QS certification mark correctly in shipping documents?

How is the requirement "Labelling of QS goods with an identification number" to be understood? What do I have to consider?

May the mark “QS-approved laboratory” be shown on all test reports of the laboratory?

What does the QS certification mark stand for?

Whether it is meat, meat products, fruit, vegetables or potatoes – food with the QS certification mark has an accurately documented and monitored lifecycle. Therefore, the way of a piece of meat from animal owner via abattoir and butcher, and for fruit and vegetables from producer via wholesaler, to the shop is clearly traceable.

QS. Quality scheme for food covers all stages of the food chain. Strict rules apply to all participating companies in Germany and abroad, for example regarding traceability and hygiene. Auditors and independent certification bodies check regularly whether all requirements are met.

The most important QS requirements at a glance:

Meat and meat products:

Food retail

The optimal storage and handling of goods in the supermarket ranks among the most important QS requirements. To ensure compliance with the cold chain, the supermarket staff has to check the temperature of goods regularly. In all areas of the market, high standards of cleanliness and hygiene must be observed and specification regarding staff hygiene must be implemented. Regular staff trainings ensure that all hygiene requirements are adhered to.

Meat processing

Livestock must be slaughtered in compliance with animal welfare standards. Strict hygiene rules apply to meat processing companies. In addition, the goods must be constantly cooled, appropriately packed and clearly labelled as well as properly stored.

Livestock transport

Only QS certified livestock transport companies are allowed to transport livestock. During transportation, animal welfare and safety have the highest priority. The transportation companies must check the animal welfare regularly and make sure that the livestock is supplied with sufficient fresh air and adequate space.

Livestock owners

The humane treatment of animals, regular visits by a veterinarian as well as hygiene checks and the responsible use of veterinary drugs rate among the most important QS requirements for livestock owners. Additionally, livestock owners may only feed their livestock with feed from QS certified feed producers.

Feed producers

Feed producers may only use flawless raw ingredients. They must continually conduct hygiene checks and must avoid any type of contamination. Goods must be regularly analysed for residues of heavy metals, plant protection products and pollutants. In addition, the feed must be properly stored.

Fruit, vegetables, potatoes

Food retail

Incoming goods inspections ensure that only top quality QS produce reaches the stores. Correct labelling, optimal storage and handling of goods rank among the most important QS requirements. This includes also the compliance with cooling regulations. In addition, it must be guaranteed that high standards of cleanliness and hygiene are observed in all areas of the store and that specification regarding staff hygiene are implemented. Staff trainings on QS requirements take place regularly.

Wholesale

Incoming and outgoing goods inspections ensure that customers only receive flawless QS produce. To avoid contaminations, fruit and vegetables may not touch the ground or walls during storage. All requirements regarding cooling must be met and have to be checked regularly by means of temperature controls. High standards of cleanliness and hygiene must be observed. Samples of the goods are taken on a regular basis and are analysed for residues of plant protection products.

Fruit and vegetable producers

In the cultivation of fruit, vegetables and potatoes, planting materials, water quality, fertilization and the use of authorized plant protections products are monitored. During harvesting and transport of the produce, high hygiene standards must be observed. A high level of work safety for workers prevails in all areas. Regular residue analyses in laboratories are carried out in order to check that only authorised plant protection products are used in the required quantity.

All QS-requirements in detail

General information about the QS Scheme

Where can I buy products bearing the QS certification mark and are they more expensive?