An overview of our quality standards
Our certifications in accordance with quality standards known and recognized throughout Europe - such as GLOBALG.A.P, AMAG.A.P, AMA standards or IFS - ensure transparency, food safety and trust along the entire value chain. In doing so, we create reliable foundations for producers, retailers and consumers.
AMAG.A.P.
GlobalG.A.P.
GRASP
Chain of Custody (CoC)
AMA seal of approval
AMA organic seal
AMA Genussregion
pastus+
IFS
Good to know
Gluten free
Vegan
Bio Hotels
GLOBALG.A.P.
GLOBALG.A.P. is an internationally recognized standard for responsible agriculture — developed by FoodPlus GmbH Cologne together with producers, retailers and other partners in the food industry. The aim is to ensure food safety, environmental and occupational safety, and social responsibility.GLobal Good Agricultural Practice) is a globally recognized standard - managed by the sponsoring organization Agraya GmbH, which was developed together with producers, retailers and other partners in the food industry. The aim is to ensure food safety, environmental and occupational safety, and social responsibility.
The IFA standard (Integrated Farm Assurance) is the most widely used GLOBALG.A.P. standard and applies to fruit and vegetables, aquaculture and animal husbandry, among other things. It also forms the basis for the GGN label, which guarantees consumers transparency and tested quality.
AMAG.A.P. is the Austrian standard for fruit and vegetables, which is based on GLOBALG.A.P. criteria and also allows small businesses to participate more easily. It covers areas such as food safety, environmental protection, traceability and social responsibility — from tillage to post-harvest product handling.
The annual inspection is carried out by accredited bodies such as LACON. If the test is successful, the company receives a certificate with a GGN number, validity period and product specification. The certification status can be viewed online at any time.
GRASP (GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice) is a voluntary additional module that assesses social aspects such as working conditions, health protection and occupational safety. It supplements the IFA standard and strengthens social responsibility in agriculture
Operated.
The Chain of Custody (CoC) standard ensures that GLOBALG.A.P. certified products remain correctly separated, labelled and traceable along the entire supply chain. It is mandatory for everyone who marks products with a GGN or COC number or uses the GGN label — and thus effectively protects against mixing and food fraud.
It is mandatory for every company that becomes the owner of GLOBALG.A.P. certified goods and wants to resell them with the appropriate status (e.g. dealers, packers, processors). Inspection and certification thus effectively protect against mixing and possible interchange.
AMA quality seal
The AMA seal of approval marks foods with particularly high standards that go beyond legal requirements. All production and processing stages are regularly checked by independent bodies such as LACON — from origin and traceability to hygiene, labelling and laboratory analyses.
The seal is valid throughout Austria or for certain regions and includes fruit, vegetables, table potatoes, milk and dairy products. In addition, LACON also tests the AMA organic seal and the AMA GENUSS REGION quality seal, which offers a transparent system of origin and quality especially for direct marketers, manufacturers and restaurants. Combined checks can avoid double checks and reduce effort.
The AMA seal of approval is a state-recognized quality and origin mark for foods with particularly high standards. LACON checks all stages of production and processing — from traceability of raw materials to hygiene and labeling. This creates proven quality that gives consumers confidence.
LACON controls the following AMA quality seals and guidelines for licensees:
Fruit, vegetables, potatoes
Milk and dairy products
Working and processing products
Flowers and ornamental plants
Bakery products
Agricultural trade and mills
Pastus+
Frischeier
LACON controls the following AMA quality seals and guidelines for farmers:
AMAG.A.P. Fruit, vegetables, potatoes
Hendlmast
Turkey fattening
Laying hen husbandry
Cattle farmy*
Pig farmy*
Raising sheep and goats*
Keeping cows
*from 01.01.2027
The AMA organic seal stands for strictly controlled organic quality — from production to processing. All raw materials come from organic agriculture, GMO-free and comprehensibly tested. LACON controls independently and thus ensures transparency and trust along the entire value chain.
The AMA GENUSS REGION seal of approval stands for quality and assurance of origin among direct marketers, manufacturers and catering establishments. It offers a transparent, simple system that recognizes existing certifications and reduces effort through combined checks.
LACON controls the following QHS standards
QHS — Farmer Direct Marketers
QHS — manufactures
QHS — Gastronomy
Transparent community catering*
*Awarding and contracting by AMA Marketing
The pastus+ standard guarantees the highest quality and safety of animal feed. It defines uniform requirements for production, storage and transport and ensures traceability along the entire supply chain. LACON tests independently and ensures that all quality requirements are met.
Pastus+ is an accredited standard. LACON is approved for pastus+ small quantity regulation and AMA pastus+ feed guideline.
IFS
The IFS is one of the most important food standards in Europe. It was developed for private labels and is now used in many areas — such as IFS Food, Logistics, Broker, Wholesale/Cash & Carry and IFS Progress Food.
An annual audit confirms safe, legally compliant and customer-friendly products. Corporate responsibility, quality and food safety management, resources, processes and improvement measures are examined.
LACON audits and certifies in accordance with all relevant IFS standards and supports companies from preparation to successful certification.
The IFS Food Standard is an established test standard for the food industry throughout Europe. In particular, it assesses:
- Corporate responsibility (quality policy, organization)
- Quality management system (HACCP analysis)
- Resource management (hygiene, training)
- Manufacturing process (specifications, buildings, pest control, cleaning)
- Measurements & improvements (audits, corrective measures, analyses)
- Food defense (site security, protection of personnel and visitors)
LACON has been auditing food manufacturers in Germany, Austria and other countries for many years — with experienced auditors and a high level of expertise.
The IFS Logistics Standard, which has been established since 2006, bridges the gap between food production and retail. It is used primarily for refrigerated and frozen transport as well as in warehousing.
Requirements include:
- Corporate responsibility (quality policy, organization)
- Quality management system (HACCP analysis)
- Resource management (training)
- Provision of services (contract review, supplier evaluation)
- Measurements & improvements (audits, corrective measures)
- Food defense (site security, protection of personnel and visitors)
LACON audits numerous freight forwarders and logistics companies in Germany and Austria — with experienced auditors and a high level of expertise.
The IFS Broker Standard is aimed at trade agencies and brokers who sell goods without storing or physically handling them themselves.
Requirements include:
- Corporate responsibility (organizational structure, functional descriptions)
- Quality management system (HACCP system, specifications)
- Resource management (training, qualification)
- Service process (selection and evaluation of suppliers)
- Measurements & improvements (audits, analyses, corrective measures)
- Broker-specific requirements (product development, packaging, analyses)
If a broker carries out additional logistical activities, a separate IFS Logistics certification is required. LACON supports companies with experienced auditors.
Cash & Carry
The standard is aimed at wholesalers, cash & carry markets and packaging companies. Depending on the job, a distinction is made between classic (without treatment/processing) and plus (with treatment/processing).
Requirements include:
- Corporate responsibility (quality policy, organization)
- Quality management system (HACCP analysis)
- Resource management (hygiene, training)
- Core processes (specifications, buildings, foreign body management)
- Measurements & improvements (audits, corrective measures)
- Product protection & food fraud
LACON audits wholesalers, cash & carry markets and packaging companies with experienced auditors.
The IFS Progress Food Standard supports small food manufacturers in establishing a functioning food safety and quality management system. It serves as an introduction to IFS Food certification, but can also be used as an independent program in exceptional cases.
The program is modular and comprises three levels (basic level, basic level + HACCP, intermediate level), which lead to higher requirements step by step. The basic level covers around 45% of the IFS food requirements and the intermediate level covers around 70% of IFS food requirements.
The requirements are divided into five chapters:
- Corporate Governance & Commitment (including food safety culture)
- Food safety & quality management
- Resource management
- Operational processesMeasurements, Analyses & Improvements
LACON provides comprehensive information about the program, process and costs and, upon request, also offers a pre-audit. For more information, see www.ifs-certification.com
More standards
In addition to organic, AMA and GLOBALG.A.P. certifications, LACON offers other recognized programs such as Gluten-Free, Vegan, Pastus+ or AMA GENUSS REGION. These additional standards create trust, increase product safety and strengthen your position on the market.
Certifications create trust — for producers, retailers and consumers. LACON supports companies from application to certificate and ensures verifiable quality in all areas. Our auditors audit independently, competently and with a lot of practical relevance.
The GOOD TO KNOW certificate issued by the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture meets the criteria of the ordinance in accordance with §5 paragraph 2 (BGBL of March 16, 2023) and thus replaces control by the food authority. Hospitals, old people's homes, government canteens and company restaurants rely on LACON services here.
The international gluten-free symbol stands for safety and guidance in cases of celiac disease. LACON controls in accordance with the uniform guidelines of the AÖCS throughout Europe: annual audits, laboratory analyses and strict production controls guarantee true gluten freedom. This allows those affected to enjoy gluten-free food — with proven safety.
More and more consumers are choosing a plant-based diet. Vegan certification from LACON ensures that products are free from animal ingredients and processing aids. This creates trust and transparency — from raw material procurement to packaging.
An organic hotel thrives on credibility — and that is exactly what clean organic certification ensures. LACON helps hotels to implement organic food and shopping in a comprehensible way: from supplier testing to separate/clear storage to correct labeling on menus, etc.
As part of the organic certification for out-of-home catering and organic gastronomy, the system is regularly checked (at least annually, sometimes unannounced) so that organic quality is truly guaranteed in everyday life.
https://www.biohotels.info/
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