QS Certification: Access to the German Market Through Controlled Chains

QS - Qualität und Sicherheit is a German quality assurance scheme applied across the agri-food chain since 2001. It was introduced following food safety incidents such as BSE and dioxin, and has since played a key role in the German food market.

What is QS Certification?

QS certification ensures safety and traceability across all stages of the supply chain - from farm to fork. The programme applies to:

• Primary production (agriculture, livestock farming)
• Feed manufacturers and suppliers
• Food processors and producers
• Logistics and distribution
• Retail and supermarket chains

Core Elements of QS

The certification focuses on manageability and verification of food safety. Key requirements include:

• Food safety: application of HACCP, monitoring of residues and contaminants
• Animal welfare: compliance with housing, nutrition and medication standards
• Hygiene: mandatory process hygiene at each supply chain stage
• Traceability: all participants are linked via a central QS database

Why is QS Certification Important?

For producers, traders and laboratories, QS certification offers clear benefits:

• Market access: QS is mandatory to supply the German market - one of Europe's largest
• Analysis validation: tests from QS-recognised laboratories are automatically accepted within the QS system
• Chain control: digital links ensure rapid traceability in case of incidents
• Trust: QS serves as a quality mark for controlled chains, increasing retailer and consumer confidence

TLR's Role

TLR International Laboratories is recognised within the QS system and also accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 (RvA L059). As such, TLR delivers accepted analysis certificates for QS monitoring programmes, such as:

• Monitoring of veterinary drugs in animal feed
• Residue testing in vegetables, fruits and herbs
• Testing for contaminants such as mycotoxins and heavy metals

These recognitions make TLR a reliable laboratory partner for companies active in the German market or involved in international supply programmes where QS is embedded.

Want to learn more about QS monitoring or our accredited analysis methods?

Contact us via [email protected] or call +31 (0)10 282 32 92.