AGW Standards for Brands, Distributors and Processors
Standards for Brands, Distributors and Processors (pdf)
Brands, distributors and processors are a vital part of the supply chain to ensure that products certified to an AGW programme reach their customers, whether this is via retail stores, restaurants, direct to customer or other outlets. As part of your certification you will be required to complete an AGW Brands, Distributors and Processors Questionnaire and a Single Ingredient Product Specification Form (SIPS) and/or a Multi Ingredient Product Specification From (MIPS).
These standards apply to brands and facilities that process AGW-certified products. To ensure the identity and traceability of AGW products is maintained, brands, distributors and processors must meet the following standards.
1.0 Record keeping
1.0.1 There must be records to demonstrate the status of products in the AGW programme being audited, and these must cover all stages of distribution and processing.
1.0.2 Records must ensure that AGW-certified products can be traced from arrival at the brand, distributor or processor’s site through processing to their final destination.
1.0.2.1 Records ensure an input/output balance can be carried out on a product with an AGW seal.
1.1 Receipt of goods
1.1.1 A list of current suppliers along with current copies of their AGW or equivalent certificate must be held on file.
1.1.2 Goods received must be verified at the point of delivery according to the AGW programme they are intended for.
1.1.3 Products bearing the logo must be listed on the AGW certificate.
1.1.4 Records of goods received need to include: invoices, delivery notes, supplier details, product details, quantities, date and batch code. They must be clearly identified according to the AGW programme they are certified for.
1.2 Storage
1.2.1 Products certified under individual AGW programmes must not be mixed and must be identifiable in storage.
Note: Storage standards apply to unprocessed and processed products in all programmes.
1.3 Processing
1.3.1 Processing records must be kept and show ingredients, quantities, date, batch code, and show the amounts of finished product produced.
1.3.2 Finished products must be clearly identified according to the AGW programme they are certified for.
1.4 Dispatch
1.4.1 Dispatch records must show product details, quantity, destination, date of dispatch and batch codes.
1.4.2 Invoices and packing slips must show that products are AGW certified.
2.0 Food safety and other regulation
2.0.1 Food safety protocols must be in place and implemented.
2.0.2 If any food safety issues are recorded with AGW products e.g. from microbiological testing, the supplier and the AGW office must be informed immediately.
2.0.3 Recall procedures must be in place.
3.0 Approving processed products
Approval of logo use is guided by AGW’s Logo Use Guidance for Certified Operators, available in the AGW Policy Manual.
3.0.1 The specification for processed AGW certified products must be approved before production begins.
3.0.1.1 The specification must include, the supplier, product name, ingredients, additives, processing aids, the AGW status of the ingredients and details of the production process.
3.0.2 If the product specification changes, such as using a new supplier or a different ingredient, an updated specification must be approved by AGW before production begins.
3.0.3 The addition of any non-AGW certified meat, egg or dairy ingredients to an AGW certified product must receive prior written approval from AGW before use.
3.1 Single Ingredient Products
3.1.1 If 100% of the ingredients or fibers used in a finished product are from certified sources, the relevant logo(s) can be used on the label and the entire product can be marketed as certified with no qualifiers.
3.1.2 Meat or hides bearing an AGW logo must come from certified animals slaughtered at a recommended plant.
3.2 Multi-ingredient products
3.2.1 If at least 95% of the ingredients or fibers used in a finished product are from certified sources and the remaining 5% meet the requirements below, the relevant logo(s) can be used on the label and the product can be marketed as certified:
3.2.1.1 The 5% non-certified ingredient(s) cannot be of the same type as any of the certified ingredient(s).
3.2.1.2 The 5% non-certified ingredients may only be used where the product cannot be sourced as a product certified by AGW or cannot be sourced to a recognised equivalent certification.
Note: The percentage by weight calculation does not include water or salt.
3.2.2 All animal-based ingredients must come from AGW approved sources if AGW labels are used in multi-ingredient products.
3.2.3 Any exceptions to 3.2.2 must be agreed in advance of production and only where ingredients are unavailable in a form acceptable to AGW or that they are impractical to develop. They must not contain prohibited ingredients. The quality of the product would be affected if the non-certified product could not be used, and it does not exceed more than 1% of non-AGW product.
Note: Where AWA ingredients cannot be sourced, alternate ingredients should be sourced from EU Organic or an AGW recognised animal welfare certification programme.
3.2.4 Agreed exceptions must be reviewed at least annually or when new options arise sooner.
3.2.5 For Certified Regenerative by AGW, where available, the 5% non-certified ingredient(s) must be certified organic by an accredited organic certifier.
Note: USDA and EU organic certification meet the requirement above.
3.2.6 For Certified Regenerative by AGW when organic ingredients are not available, these ingredients must be acceptable under the USDA or the EU organic regulations.
NOTE: Please contact AGW for product acceptability.
3.2.7 For Certified Regenerative by AGW, Ingredients from genetically modified (GM) sources or ingredients that have been irradiated are not permitted.
3.3 “Made With” Claims
3.3.1 “Made with” claims cannot be used with the Certified Non-GMO by AGW programme.
3.3.2 In order to make a made with claim using the logo, the final product must contain a minimum of 20% certified ingredients or a characterising certified ingredient.
3.3.3 The statement “Made with [certification] [product]” must be placed prominently either above or below the logo.
3.3.4 Formulation cannot include certified and non-certified versions of the same ingredient.
3.3.5 Where the product contains certified and non-certified ingredients or the certified ingredient is NOT a characterizing ingredient, the percentage of certified product must be shown somewhere on the label.
3.3.6 If the product contains less than 20% of Certified by AGW product or no characterising ingredient, only text claims are permitted and no logo use is allowed.
3.4 Prohibited ingredients
3.4.1 The AGW logos and/or the phrase “made with [AGW-certified ingredient]” must not be used if other ingredients, a processing method or the final end product does not meet the principles of the AGW programmes.
3.4.2 The processor must ensure they keep up to date with the lists of prohibited ingredients and processes and any changes to the standards that they have been notified of.
Note: The current list of prohibited products and processes is as follows. This list will be reviewed and updated regularly. Processors must check with the AGW office prior to the start of production if they have any doubt about specific ingredients or processes.
- Eggs from caged hens
- Foie gras
- Products that are tested on animals
- Cultivated or lab-based animal ingredient analogs
4.0 Training
4.0.1 Employees involved in processing AGW products must be fully trained for the tasks they are carrying out.
4.0.2 Employees involved in processing AGW products must be aware of these standards and understand the importance of maintaining traceability of AGW products through the production cycle.
5.0 Traceability
5.0.1 Producers must use the applicable logo on certified products unless otherwise agreed with AGW.
5.0.2 Records must ensure an input/output balance can be carried out on a product with an AGW logo and must be retained for at least two years.
5.0.3 AGW must approve logo use prior to certified sales.
