IFS (International Featured Standards) standards are developed for all stakeholders and interested parties involved in the supply chain who want to guarantee the quality and safety of food and non-food products or related services.

These standards drive compliance with legal requirements for product safety, provide common and transparent standards for suppliers, and provide a concrete response to customer expectations.

APCER provides certification in accordance with the following IFS standards:

Certification according to IFS standards is a service provided via the Quality Austria partnership under its accreditation.

For services carried out under Quality Austria (QA) accreditation, the handling of complaints and appeals follows the procedures defined exclusively by this entity. If you wish to submit an appeal or a complaint related to activities certified under QA accreditation, you should consult the corresponding process on the Quality Austria website through this link. The information provided by QA outlines in detail the steps, responsibilities, and the principles of confidentiality and impartiality applied. 

The Foundation For Food Safety Certification (FFSC), developed the FSSC 22000 – Food Safety System Certification, a certification scheme for the food processing industry based on the ISO 22000 and ISO 22003 standards and on the technical specifications of the Pre-Requisite Programmes (PRPs), (ISO TS 22002-1 and PAS 223).

The scheme applies to:

• Perishable animal products: meats, poultry, eggs, fish and dairy products;
• Perishable plant products: fresh fruits and juice cartons, tinned fruit, packed and tinned fresh vegetables;
• Products kept at room temperature: canned goods, biscuits, snacks, oils, drinking water, drinks, pasta, flour, sugar, salt;
• Biochemicals for food production: vitamins, additives and organic crops;
• And organizations that process or manufacture packaging for direct or indirect contact with food.

Note: Transportation and storage as part of the operation are included (e.g.: mature cheese). It is applicable to all food production organizations in these categories, regardless of their size and complexity, whether for profit or not, and whether public or private.

Certification process:

• Implementation of ISO 22000 and PAS 220;
• Learn the FSSC 22000 scheme and FSMS requirements;
• Certification by an approved certification body;
• Minor and major non-compliances;
• Audit Report and certificate with FSSC logo;
• Registration on the website;
• 3-year certificate validity;
• Annual audits and renewal audits after 3 years;
• If the organization has already received ISO 22000 certification, it can obtain FSSC 22000 certification by an approved body if it meets additional requirements.

What is the Foundation for Food Safety Certification (FFSC)?

Founded in 2004, the FFSC is responsible for the development of certification schemes for the food sector, such as FSSC 22000, ISO22000 and PAS220. These developments were monitored and evaluated by the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the European Union (CIAA). The developed schemes are submitted to the GFSI for analysis and recognition. The responsibility of and authority over certification schemes is assumed by a taskforce made up of some of the most important players and stakeholders in the supply chain (retailers, industry, representative associations, etc).

The FSSC 22000 certification is a service provided via the Quality Austria partnership under its accreditation.

 For services carried out under Quality Austria (QA) accreditation, the handling of complaints and appeals follows the procedures defined exclusively by this entity. If you wish to submit an appeal or a complaint related to activities certified under QA accreditation, you should consult the corresponding process on the Quality Austria website through this link. The information provided by QA outlines in detail the steps, responsibilities, and the principles of confidentiality and impartiality applied. 

Founded in 1997, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an independent, international and non-profit organization which aims to address the problem of overfishing.

The MSC – Chain of Custody standard was introduced in December 1999 and was based on best traceability practices and on pre-existing standards. In August 2005, following an international consultation with all stakeholders and interested parties, the current version 2 was developed. Its development followed the procedures recommended by ISEAL – Code of Good Practice for Setting Social and Environmental Standards.

MSC – Chain of Custody certification allows for illegally caught fish to be kept outside the supply chain. Illegal fishing is a serious problem which can cause irreversible damage to the marine ecosystem, to livelihoods and to the world’s fishing industry.

The traceability of seafood is a subject which is being increasingly discussed in the sector. Misleading labelling is a complex and internationally recognized problem. The supply chain itself of these types of products finds it extremely difficult to obtain reliable and quality information about their origins and sources.

Labels on marine products must provide information on the species, source of fishing and any information regarding the sustainability of the product. Once a fisher achieves certification, their product can only carry the MSC brand after all links and actors in the supply chain have been certified in accordance with the MSC – Chain of Custody standard. Products with the MSC seal are guaranteed to come from sustainable fishing..

How can certification be obtained?

When a product is placed on the market with the MSC brand, it means that all organizations involved in the supply chain – from the fisher to the distributor or retailer – are certified in accordance with the MSC – Chain of Custody standard.

To achieve the above-mentioned certification, organizations must undergo an auditing process to demonstrate that they have efficient storage and record-keeping systems, which in itself proves that only products from certified fishers have the MSC brand.

All organizations with a valid MSC – Chain of Custody certificate have a unique code which must be put on certified products as a way of informing consumers that they are buying from an approved supplier.

The MSC brand can only be used on marine products from certified fishers or by MSC – Chain of Custody certified organizations.

Validity of the Certification

MSC – Chain of Custody certification is valid for 3 years. During this period, the organization will be audited to evaluate its ongoing compliance with the standard. After 3 years, a renewal audit will be carried out if the organization wishes to retain the MSC brand.

Aquaculture Stewardship Council

Founded in 2010 by WWF and IDH (Sustainable Trade Initiative), the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is an independent, non-profit organization with global influence.

ASC has an ambitious program to transform the world's seafood markets and promote better environmental and social performance in aquaculture. This means increasing the availability of certified seafood for consumers - produced responsibly - and promoting the use of the ASC logo. The logo sends a strong message to consumers regarding the environmental and social integrity of the product they are purchasing.

How do you obtain ASC certification?

To obtain the aforementioned certification, the farm must undergo an audit process - publicly announced on ASC's website - for at least 30 days before the audit in order to collect relevant information from interested parties. The audit allows for an assessment of technical and social compliance as well as management of the farm itself. The audit team verifies if the operation is being properly executed in practice via visual assessments and interviews with management, employees, neighbours and other interested parties.

Quality certification

The farm certification is issued by the certifier and is valid for three years. Farms are subject to an annual audit with a risk analysis, focused on farm improvement plans and in accordance with a sample of the standards requirements.

Once they are certified, the farms can sell their ASC-certified products. To use the ASC logo, the systems must be in a state to ensure traceability. Certified products will be tracked in their supply chain through the Chain of Custody (CoC) certification. All companies who handle products in the supply chain must have a valid CoC certificate. It is the only way that products are authorized to bear the ASC logo. To obtain CoC certification, all the companies in the supply chain must meet rigorous requirements and have on-site tracking systems to ensure that there are no mixtures or substitutes. This guarantees that the product was produced in compliance with ASC standards for responsible aquaculture.

Main benefits of ASC certification:

• Reinforce the position in existing markets and explore new markets.
• Improve market value through greater credibility within the industry and among consumers.
• Adopt industry best practices (for instance, by efficiently using feed and improved disease control) to promote a competitive advantage.

MSC/ASC certification is a service provided via the SCS partnership under its accreditation.

In 2004, theRoundtable on Sustainable Pal Oil (RSPO), was created with a view to increasing and promoting the use of sustainable palm oil through a series of standards and through the involvement of all stakeholders and interested parties.

The production of sustainable palm oil guarantees compliance with applicable legislation, economic viability, and socially beneficial and environmentally responsible management.

Producers can be certified through a verification of the production process according to RSPO principles and criteria by recognized certification bodies. Through RSPO certification of all supply chain operators, the traceability of palm oil can be ensured and its sustainability guaranteed.

Certification according to RSPO is a service provided via the SCS partnership under its accreditation.

What is PEFC?

The PEFC (Programme of Endorsement for Forest Certification Schemes) is the world's largest forest certification system. The PEFC, an international, non-governmental, non-profit organization, is a platform for the recognition of national certification schemes, and aims to promote sustainable forest management, through the adoption of good practices in the forest that ensure that wood, cork and other non-timber forest products are produced in accordance with the highest ethical, ecological and social standards.

PEFC CoC certification

Chain of Custody certification, in accordance with PEFC ST 2002:2020 - Chain of Custody of Forest and Tree Based Products – Requirements, ensures the traceability of the certified raw material, from the sustainably managed and PEFC certified forest to the consumer final product, ensuring that the wood/cork or other forest product included in the product or production line comes from certified forests.

It is applicable to any organization that operates in the chain of transformation and commercialization of forest-based products, and that intends to make a PEFC claim, conveying confidence that the products come from sustainably managed forests.

It is based on two basic methods, the physical separation or the percentage method, and can be applied by organizations that operate in a single place of activity or by organizations that operate in different locations, known as multisite certification.

As a means of allowing a group of small producers, located in the same country, to access chain of custody certification at low cost, group certification is possible within multisite certification.

With the revision of the standard, the implementation of the DDS system became mandatory for all inputs of forest-based material covered by the organization's chain of responsibility, with the exception of recycled material, and material from the species listed in Annexes I to III of the CITES Directive. The DDS system therefore aims to ensure the transparency of the flow of materials by providing information on origin and species at any point in the PEFC chain of responsibility.

A PEFC CoC certification applied to PEFC certified products gives rise to a certificate valid for 5 years and allows the use of the claim “PEFC certificate” in the sales documents of certified material, as well as the possible use of the PEFC mark on the products, which must be complied with the requirements of PEFC ST 2001:2008 - PEFC Logo Usage Rules – Requirements – expressed in the notification contract that is signed between the certified organization and the PEFC national representative. Once certified, the company is registered in the PEFC International database, opening up to new markets being promoted.

A PEFC CoC certification can also be applied to forest-based material from controlled sources, giving rise to a certificate valid for five years and allowing the use of the claim “PEFC controlled sources” in sales documents for material from controlled sources.

Certification by APCER

APCER was the first Portuguese certification body to be accredited by the Instituto Português de Acreditação (IPAC) and recognized in Portugal by the CFFP - Conselho da Fileira Florestal Portuguesa, for forestry and chain of custody certification in Portugal. It presents high technical knowledge of the Portuguese forest sector.

Find out more about PEFC CoC certification.

With its extensive experience and recognition in the field of certification, APCER (FSC® A000537) provides forestry organizations – from extraction to marketing to the end consumer – with certification that shows that their forest-based products come from responsibly managed forests, giving them easier access to the “ecomarket”.

APCER provides Chain of Custody Certification for Portugal, Spain and Brazil through accreditation by ASI – Assurance Services Intenational. As a certification body accredited by ASI, APCER is thus able to provide internationally recognised certificates.

Chain of Custody certification is applicable to:

• Organizations that process/transform forest products

• Organizations that market forest-based products

APCER also provides FSC project certification, which aims to ensure that the forest-based materials used in construction, renovation, civil engineering projects or events such as exhibitions and festivals, come from sustainably managed forests.

This certification is applicable to organizations that manage projects that use forest-based materials / products and intend to promote and declare them as FSC certified. It allows the management pf one or more projects, from offices, housing, bridges, football stadiums, decorative objects, to sea vessels, among others, ensuring the responsible management of the forests from which all the wood and cork used is extracted.

An FSC project certification, besides helping to move towards a more sustainable world, highlights the organization's commitment to environmental and social responsibility, makes its projects different in the market and demonstrates compliance with environmental regulations.

The FSC® and the benefits of FSC®:

The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is a non-profit, non-governmental, international and independent organization. It was founded in 1993 by a group of suppliers and traders of wood, and by representatives of environmental organizations and human rights associations. The FSC is made up of three chambers – economic, environmental and social.

The FSC’s Mission is to promote Responsible Forest Management which establishes the FSC Principles and Criteria for environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and cost-effective forestry management.

The FSC supports and promotes the development of national and regional standards according to its mission; it accredits and monitors certification bodies that use the FSC standards.

More information:

FSC

FSC standards

Certificate consultation

Project certificate search

Aware of the importance that the recognition of Auditor Qualification can have in the development of a professional career in the Management field, APCER provides a service which allows for assessing and recognising the skills of a professional who conducts management system audits, namely:

1. Certification of Auditors of Quality, Environment and Food Safety management systems (for the Lead Auditor, Auditor and Internal Auditor qualifications), and Occupational Health and Safety (for the Internal Auditor qualification).

Certification of Auditors by APCER is therefore presented as the Recognition of Professional Expertise, in an increasingly competitive market, which is of value to certified professionals and to the organizations in which they collaborate.

The credibility of the certification of people is enhanced by APCER’s proven experience in the certification of management systems. It is a leader in this market in Portugal.

APCER’s Auditor Certifcation process is supported in ISO 19011 and comprises distinct evaluation stages:

• Curriculur assessment;
• Written and Oral Assessment (the latter is only applicable at Lead Auditor and Auditor qualifications).

We guarantee the Impartiality, Independence and technical support required for and inherent in this process, through the participation of renowned national experts in the Evaluation Panel, and through the use of proven interpretations of management systems and internationally standardized auditing practices within IQNet.

Evaluation Panel:

QUALITY

Eng.ª Cristina Effertz - (Chairman)

Eng.ª Isabel Pereira

Dr. José Neves

Eng.º Ricardo Teixeira (APCER member)

ENVIRONMENT

Eng.ª Cristina Effertz - (Chairman)

Eng.º Ricardo Teixeira (APCER member)

FOOD SAFETY

Eng.º João Gusmão (Chairman)

Prof. Tim Hogg

Eng.ª Gabriela Pinheiro (APCER member)

The NLC standards (Clinical Laboratory Standards) are a specific and essential benchmark for clinical analysis/clinical pathology laboratories which incorporate technical requirements established by the ISO 15189 standard for the accreditation of laboratories as well as the demands resulting from existing legislation.

In this way, the NLC standards complement the ISO 9001 standard in the certification of quality management systems in the sector, integrating specific requirements for the whole analytical process – from the pre-analytical to the post-analytical stage, including advising other health professionals and users – as well as specific requirements for the laboratory’s management and technical expertise.

In 2015, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) published amendments to the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention making it compulsory to verify a container’s gross weight which is a condition for placing a container onto a ship.

These rules include the following:

• The loader/dispatcher is responsible for verifying the container’s gross weight. The dispatcher can authorise a third party to carry out the weighing process;
• Placing a container which has not had its weight verified onto a ship is a violation of the SOLAS Convention;
• There are 2 methods that can be used to determine a container’s Verified Gross Mass (VGM):
      - Method 1: requires the container to be weighed after it has been loaded;
      - Method 2: requires all cargo to be weighed along with the remaining contents of the container (pallets, stowage material, etc.), and afterwards adding the tare weight of the container.

In both methods, the weighing equipment must be certified and calibrated. In method 2, the weighing process must also be certified.

The Verified Gross Mass of each container must be sent to shipping companies and shipping lines before being loaded on board the ships. Each shipowner can set deadlines and other requirements for sending information.

To meet the needs of health care establishments in the prevention of pressure ulcers, APCER developed the product specification APCER 5009 - Support Surfaces: Foam mattresses and foam overlay mattresses.

Pressure ulcers are a recurring problem of public health and are an indicator of the quality of care. It is estimated that 95% of these lesions are preventable. Health care professionals and the scientific community recognize that the use of mattresses with a pressure redistributing surface decreases the likelihood of pressure ulcers development. Prevention of pressure ulcers is a challenge, and the cost of their treatment is superior to the cost of their prevention.

The foam mattresses and overlay foam mattresses specified in APCER 5009 have characteristics that contribute to improve the comfort, the safety and to prevent risks associated to the emergence of diseases. They are composed of a removable coating that covers one or more fillers in flexible polyurethane foam. The performance of the foam can contribute to the prevention of pressure ulcers.

The APCER 5009 specification distinguishes the support surface into four classes according to the type of constituent foam: Class I - Conventional Foam Mattress, Class II – High Resilience Foam Mattress, Class III – Viscoelastic Foam Mattress, and Class III A – Overlay Mattress of Viscoelastic Foam, and defines the requirements of the product constituents (polyurethane and viscoelastic foams and the coating). It also defines the performance requirements of the final product (assessment of the ignitability and performance of the viscoelastic foam mattress when submitted to the test of distribution of pressures). The specification also defines the test plan for internal production control and external control tests to be performed by APCER, the requirements of the management system and of the production process to be implemented by the manufacturer, and the minimum amount of information to be contained in the instructions for use.

The cycle of certification is of 5 years (certificate validity), after which a recertification audit, which content is equal to a certification audit, will be performed. In all audits, the audit team assesses compliance with the requirements defined in APCER 5009.

The product certification APCER 5009 - Support Surfaces: Foam mattresses and foam overlay mattresses, intends to introduce a differentiating factor in the market by harmonizing and increasing the essential requirements of product quality, in addition to the applicable under the CE marking. APCER 5009 aims to create mechanisms to ensure that such products are consistently produced and supplied in accordance with the defined requirements.