Food and Agriculture

The food and agriculture sector ensures that the public has access to safe, high-quality and sustainably produced products. Accreditation ensures that laboratories, inspection bodies and certification bodies operate independently and in accordance with recognised standards – creating trust, transparency and quality throughout the food supply chain.

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Overview

The food and agriculture sector covers the entire food supply chain from farm to fork – from animal feed and livestock farming through processing, transport and storage to retail and catering. It ensures the safe supply of high-quality and sustainably produced food to the public.

Laboratories and food control authorities carry out operational inspections, analyse food, drinking water, bathing water and consumer goods such as toys, cosmetics and tableware, and ensure that products are safe, correctly labelled and processed in compliance with hygiene standards – protecting consumer health and preventing deception.

Agricultural inspection bodies monitor animal health, species-appropriate husbandry, correct slaughter practices and the requirements for organic and other quality labels. Certifications to international norms and recognised standards confirm to producers and the trade that food safety is being consistently implemented, and facilitate access to global markets.

Role of accreditation

In agriculture and throughout the food supply chain, accredited bodies test, inspect and certify production processes, product safety, animal welfare and hygiene. Food safety, quality, sustainability and animal welfare can only be guaranteed through reliable, transparent and independent testing, inspection and certification systems.

Accreditation confirms that laboratories, inspection bodies and certification bodies operate independently, professionally and in accordance with international norms and recognised standards, giving consumers confidence in laboratory analyses, inspections and certified quality marks on products.

Importance for the public, businesses and public authorities

Food and agriculture touch on wide-ranging health, economic and environmental needs that matter to society as a whole. The public can make purchasing decisions based on trustworthy information and quality labels, and trust that the products they buy are safe.

Accreditation provides public authorities with a solid basis for market surveillance and risk evaluation. Producers and the trade benefit from enhanced credibility and easier market access. Overall, accreditation strengthens public confidence in the safe, sustainable and responsible production of food and consumer goods.

Types of accreditation offered