Quality Scheme Accreditation

What is accreditation?
Accreditation verifies the certification body/registrar’s competence. To fulfil the accreditation criteria, an accrediting authority assesses the certification body/registrar. This is to verify that the certification body/registrar complies with existing requirements. This is the authorities’ way of auditing the auditors (certification bodies/registrars like IFQC).

What is the relevant Accreditation?
ISO 65 / EN45011 Accreditation is now recognised as an international benchmark for food product certification. This ISO 65 EN45011 standard deals with product and systems certification. A National Accreditation Body accredits the certification activities to ensure that all requirements are met.

Accreditation audits are detailed and thorough. The Accreditation Board alone decides whether the requirements of EN45011 are being met by the Certification Body.

IFQC is an ISO65/ EN450011 accredited certification body. IFQC are accredited by the INAB and their accredited certificates are recognised in over 40 countries as part of the International Accreditation Forum Agreement. IFQC have an accredited scope for Aquaculture, Seafisheries, Seafood Processing, Eco-Label and Organic Certification.

 Independent Third Party Certification
Accredited certification of processes/products is used to demonstrate compliance to a standard. Third party certification bodies/registrars are auditing organisations that provide auditing services to companies that wish to obtain certification to specific standards.

The Certified Quality Salmon Programme is independently inspected and certified by IFQC Ltd. IFQC are an independent third party certification body and are accredited to EN45011 / ISO Guide 65. IFQC have projects throughout the world and have no commercial or political affiliations with the salmon industry. IFQC expert auditors inspect the participating companies and products against the quality standard and offer certification to those companies that meet each clause of the Salmon Standard. More information can be obtained about IFQC at www.seafoodcert.com