Key points
- Certification assesses a system, not the lot you are buying.
- Check that the certificate's scope covers the traded product and site.
- Standards complement, but never replace, your own verification.
What the schemes cover
Hazard analysis, prerequisite programmes, traceability, supplier control, monitoring and corrective action, and management review. Feed-specific schemes add sector requirements such as undesirable substance monitoring and transport controls.
Reading a certificate properly
Check the certified legal entity, the site address, the scope of products and activities, the standard version and the validity dates. A certificate covering one site or product category says nothing about another.
What to verify
- Certificate scope covering the exact site and product supplied
- Validity dates current and the standard version identified
- Certification status verified with the scheme, not only from a PDF
Risks to manage
- Scope mismatch between the certificate and the traded product
- Expired or withdrawn certification presented as current
- Over-reliance on certification in place of buyer verification
Common mistakes
- Accepting a logo instead of a certificate
- Not checking the scope statement
- Reducing incoming verification purely because a supplier is certified
Frequently asked questions
Does certification guarantee product conformity?
No. It provides assurance that a management system meets a standard. Product conformity is evidenced by specification, testing and inspection.
Should uncertified suppliers be excluded?
Not automatically. Certification is one input to qualification; a thorough audit of an uncertified plant can provide equivalent or better assurance for some materials.
Related reading
Technical references
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