Chicks

Certification QS Poultry

QS Poultry is a German quality scheme focused on food safety, traceability and transparency within the entire poultry supply chain. It is one of the leading quality systems for the German and European market. In order to market products as QS certified, all links in the chain, from farm to retail, must comply with QS requirements and demonstrate this with a certificate. Kiwa provides independent QS Poultry certification for poultry farms, hatcheries, slaughterhouses and processing companies.

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What is QS Poultry?

QS Poultry is part of the quality system of QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH and focuses on safeguarding safe and high quality poultry products. The system ensures that products:

  • Are safe for consumption
  • Comply with legal and additional private requirements
  • Are fully traceable within the supply chain

QS is particularly relevant for companies supplying the German market, where the label is often required by retail organisations.

Chain approach within QS

QS operates a closed chain system. This means that all links within the production chain must be certified:

  • Feed mills
  • Poultry farmers
  • Hatcheries
  • Transport and logistics
  • Slaughterhouses
  • Processing industry
  • Trade and retail

This integrated approach ensures continuous assurance of food safety and quality throughout the entire chain.

QS requirements and standards

Companies participating in QS Poultry must comply with extensive standards. These include, among others:

  • Business operations and quality management
  • Animal welfare and housing
  • Animal health and monitoring
  • Medication use and antibiotic policy
  • Hygiene and food safety
  • Traceability and chain registration
  • Residue and monitoring programmes

The current QS standards are available via the scheme owner.

Certification by Kiwa

During the QS audit, Kiwa assesses whether your organisation complies with the applicable requirements of the QS system. The inspection consists of:

  • A site inspection of barns or production locations
  • Assessment of processes and hygiene measures
  • Review of administration and records

Based on the audit results, your organization will receive a certificate with a validity of six months, one year or two years. Audits are carried out both announced and unannounced.

Combined audits and efficiency

Kiwa organizes audits as efficiently as possible. In many cases, the QS audit can be combined with other quality systems, such as:

  • IKB Chicken
  • Other relevant chain schemes

Through these combined audits, the inspection can be carried out in a single visit, reducing audit burden and increasing efficiency.

Applying for QS Poultry

If you wish to participate in QS Poultry, you can register via the QS organisation (check the full details of the scheme). After registration, Kiwa can schedule the certification audit. Click here for the QS application form.

Why Kiwa?

Kiwa is an independent certification body with extensive experience in the poultry sector and international food safety systems. We combine technical expertise with efficient audit processes, enabling you to demonstrate compliance with QS requirements and gain access to the German and international market.