Frequently Asked Questions

What is ISO?
ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization. A non-governmental organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, ISO is a federation of the national standards bodies for approximately 150 countries, representing the developed, developing and transitional economies throughout the world. By developing standards that distill an international consensus from a broad base of stakeholder groups, ISO standards are widely respected and accepted in both the private and public sectors.

Who is VeriPrime?
VPI is a Delaware-based, for profit, non-stock, member-owned cooperative organized to provide its members with the services and coordination required for members to provide and comply with food safety standards, food safety assurance and certification, food traceability and technologies. VeriPrime developed, with consensus of over 100 industry participants, the VeriPrime Traceability Assurance System as described in the VeriPrime Standards Manual

What is the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) ISO Guide 65 program?
The Audit, Review, and Compliance Branch (ARC) of the USDA conducts voluntary conformity assessments and accreditation audits for certification agencies to determine adherence to the ISO Guide 65:1996 general requirements for bodies operating product certification systems.

ISO Guide 65 specifies general requirements that a third-party operating a product or service certification system must meet to be recognized as competent and reliable. Adherence to the USDA ISO Guide 65 Program ensures that the certification agency operates a third-party certification system in a consistent and reliable manner.

The USDA ISO Guide 65 Program is available to companies that operate product certification standards for livestock, meat, seed, or other agricultural products or services that are within the scope of the LS Program.

To operate an approved USDA ISO Guide 65 Program, certification agencies must submit a documented program to the ARC Branch and successfully pass a conformity assessment and accreditation audit by the ARC Branch.

Is Traceability Assurance required by law?
Not at this point. Participation in the VeriPrime Traceability Assurance System is voluntary. Retail specification of a “certified traceable” to their suppliers represents the market adoption of the industry standard and impetus for distributors, processors and producers to certify their operations.

What is Chain Traceability?
Chain traceability is the ability to trace the history, application, or location of a food item by means of record-keeping throughout the entire food chain. The objectives of the traceability system certified under VTAS and implemented by participants include: facilitate implementation of internal traceability (one up/ one back) to the producer level, provide a commercial mechanism to specify certified traceable product, support food safety and quality: document the history or origin of the product, facilitate withdrawal and/or recall of products; facilitate the verification of specific information about the product, and communicate traceability information to relevant stakeholders and consumers.

How far (forward and back) in the production cycle does each applicant need to be able to demonstrate traceability to meet the VTAS standard?
To be a VeriPrime Certified Participant, an entity must demonstrate compliance with the requirements set forth in the VeriPrime Traceability Assurance System Standards Manual, Section 5. These requirements constitute a rigorous basis for determination of internal traceability. When each producer agrees to share internal traceability information, it is possible to provide seamless chain traceability for all product.  

How much does it cost to become certified?
The sliding fee schedule is based upon operation type and size, and is available in the Agri Food Certification Quality Manual posted on this web page.

Does the VTAS Program prescribe a particular method for animal identification and tracking?
Neither VeriPrime nor Agri Food Certification prescribe or endorse a particular hardware solution for the tracking of product. Product, device, or equipment selection is at the discretion of the producer, as long as the performance criteria for ID Tags and other ID devices set forth in the VTAS Standards Manual are met and can be demonstrated. 

Where does Agri Food Certification get its auditors from?
Agri Food seeks auditors who meet minimum education, training and experiential requirements. Auditors are commonly licensed veterinarians, graduate and post-graduate students, agricultural inspectors or auditors from the manufacturing and production environment. Click here to view the qualifications for prospective auditors.

How does Agri Food Certification ensure the impartiality of its inspectors/auditors?
Applicants to serve as Agri Food Certification auditors within the VeriPrime Traceability Assurance System are subject to disclosure. This means that all auditors must disclose ongoing contractual, financial and business arrangements as they pertain to applicants for certification. Auditors will not be assigned to conduct on-site audits of premises with which they have a perceived conflict of interest, whether disclosed or undisclosed.