The Qualimat Transport audit is a third-party audit. It means that it is carried out by an independent Certifying Organization, previously authorized by Oqualim to carry out Qualimat Transport audits.

The list of authorized Certifying Organizations is available on the Oqualim website: https://www.qualimat.org/en/qualimat-transport-en/list-of-operators/certified-organizations/.

The audit takes place annually on the transport operator’s site. It includes interviews, documentary checks and visual inspection of containers.

Before the audit, the transport operator must have made a commitment to Oqualim. Once this commitment has been validated, he must transmit a certain amount of information to the Certifying Organization of his choice, so that it can establish a contract. The duration of the audit depends on the activity of the transport operator.

At the end of the audit, the Certifying Organization submits a report to the audited company. It is the Certifying Organization which can issue a Qualimat Transport certificate to the audited transport operator.

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Regulations for Third-party Recognition- § 1 Principles, General

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

Yes, Qualimat has signed mutual recognition with several other European certification schemes: GMP+ International, FCA-Ovocom, QS.

This means that the scope of the Qualimat Transport Certificate and these 3 schemes is equivalent and that you can take advantage of the Qualimat Transport certificate when a contract requires you to respect one of its transport standards.

On the other hand, there are differences in approach to the minimum cleaning levels required, mainly due to certain regulatory transpositions that vary depending on the country.

If you wish to work within the framework of mutual recognition, then you must comply with the strictest level of cleaning of the list of differences, available on the IDTF (International Database Transport (for) Feed – https://www.icrt -idtf.com/).

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications  – Annex 1: Previous transports and cleaning required

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

All documents are available on the Oqualim website on the Qualimat Transport page.

The requirements are listed in:

• The Qualimat Transport specifications,
• The third-party recognition regulations for compliance with the Qualimat Transport specifications,
• The collection of Technical Positions.

Oqualim also regularly publishes a newsletter called “FOCUS”, in order to support transport operators on specific points of requirements. The FOCUS are also available on the Oqualim website.

If you have any questions, the Oqualim team is available by email at support.transport@qualimat.org or by telephone at 02 97 42 75 76.

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications
• Regulations for Third-party Recognition
• Technical positions

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

The Regulations for Third-party Recognition stipulates in paragraph 3: ” The transport operator must submit the information required to formalize the CO’s offer (see the form in annex 2 of these Regulations). This information must be up to date and submitted ahead of each audit as a minimum requirement”. This completed preliminary questionnaire is essential for the Certifying Body to:

• Calculate the required audit time according to a grid defined and applicable by all authorized CO and for all committed transport operators,
• Determine the scope of the audit and integrate:
  • Specific checkpoints (Example: verification of mutual recognition requirements)
  • Adapted logistics (Example: Trips to a remote parking base to inspect containers)

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Regulations for Third-party Recognition

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

The online list of wash points on the Oqualim website aids with transport operators. It is informative. This is not a certification.

This list, under voluntary declaration, lists the wash points which have provided Oqualim with all the necessary information concerning the quality of the water used for internal cleaning of containers. Washing stations may be washing stations associated with or separate from transport operators.

If the wash pointn you wish to work with is on the list of wash points on the Oqualim website, this means that it uses water that meets the requirements of the specifications for the interior cleaning of containers, and you therefore do not need to collect proof of this conformity on your own.

If the wash point you wish to work with is not on the list of washing stations on the Oqualim website, it is up to you to collect proof of compliance relating to water quality from the station used for interior cleaning of containers.

On the other hand, this list does not currently provide any other elements of guarantee on compliance with the requirements of Qualimat Transport. For example, the detergent or disinfection products used, the information mentioned on the washing slips, etc. are not verified by Qualimat.

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications  – § 7.2.3. Water quality ; Annex 2: Water acceptability criteria

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

Oqualim does not list disinfectant products. You will therefore not find a Oqualim list on this subject.

It is up to you to consult the technical data sheets of the products marketed and to ensure that they comply with the recommendations specified in the Qualimat Transport reference documents and more precisely in technical position 2-002.

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications  – § 7.2.1. Cleaning levels
• Technical Position 2-002: Choice of detergents/disinfectants

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

The contract review is a key stage of the Qualimat Transport system.

Based on the name of the goods transmitted by your principal and any technical document allowing its nature to be clearly identified, you must consult the IDTF database (International Database Transport (for) Feed – https://www.icrt -idtf.com/).

Either the goods you are going to transport exist in the IDTF database and you must then apply the requirements defined there.

Either the merchandise that you are going to transport does not exist in the IDTF database and it is then PROHIBITED from transport in alternation with “products”. You can transport it in containers that never carry “product”.

If you wish, you can request classification of this merchandise so that it can be included in the IDTF database.

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications – Chapter 4: contract review; Chapter 7: Cleanliness of the container; Annex 1: Previous transports and required cleanings

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

If a merchandise is not listed in the IDTF database, you cannot transport it in containers that carry “products” because it has a “PROHIBITED” commodity status.

You can, however, transport it in containers that never carry “products”. If you wish, you can request classification of this merchandise so that it can be included in the IDTF database. To do this you must complete the online (re)classification form (https://www.icrt-idtf.com/procedures/).

The ICRT (International Database Transport (for) Feed) will study the composition of this commodity and carry out a risk analysis to determine whether alternation with “products” is possible.

If possible, a minimum cleaning level will be determined.

If this is not possible, the merchandise will enter the IDTF base with a “PROHIBITED” level.

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications  – Annex 1: Previous transports and required cleaning

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

The different European Feed transport certification schemes have come together in a committee called the ICRT (International Database Transport (for) Feed).

In 2013, they created a common database to identify all the minimum cleaning levels required for a large number of goods. This is the IDTF database (International Database Transport (for) Feed – https://www.icrt-idtf.com/).For the majority of goods this minimum level of cleaning is common to all certification schemes.

But, for a defined list of goods, entitled “list of differences”, the different schemes did not agree on the level of cleaning.

The differences are mainly linked to regulatory transpositions which vary depending on the country. But in certain cases, it may be a different approach to risk linked to a particular sensitivity of certain countries to health issues.

When a transport operator works under mutual recognition, it must comply with the strictest level of cleaning in this “list of differences”.

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications  – Annex 1: Previous transports and cleaning required

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

The purpose and scope of the Qualimat Transport specifications concern “bulk”. This is specified in §1.1 of the Qualimat Transport specifications. As the goods you mention are not transported in ‘bulk’, there is no associated IDTF number.

However, regarding the transport of packaged goods, the Qualimat Transport specifications specify the following elements:

• Definition of packaged goods (§1.3): ” Any material covered by these Specifications that is transported in a hermetically sealed, closed container and does not constitute “bulk” material.”.
• Transport of prohibited packaged goods (note to §1.3) : “Prohibited goods that are packaged may be transported in bulk containers designed for transporting “products” if the transport operator specifically includes an HACCP analysis, and in particular any corrective measures to be taken in the event that the packaging is damaged”.

Thus, the IDTF code and the corresponding cleaning level can be taken into account in the event of a packaging breakage.

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications – § 1.1 ; § 1.3

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

If you bring a used container into your fleet, you have obligations regardless of the company that previously operated the container. Whether the previous operator of the container is Qualimat Transport certified or not certified, this does not change the information you have to collect before being able to transport “products” there.

It is for you to know precisely what was transported in this container before you use it and this in order to ensure that there was no transport of “PROHIBITED” goods within the meaning of the specifications. Qualimat Transport charges.

The evidence to be collected is specified in the reference documents and more precisely in technical position 4-002.

Without this evidence, you are required to carry out a reassignment procedure before transporting “products” (see technical position 2-004).

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications – § 6.2. Material resources
• Technical Position
  • 4-002: Traceability of used containers
  • 2-004: Minimum analyzes to be carried out as part of a cleaning-disinfection procedure for the repurposing of containers for the transport of “products” intended for animal feed.

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

As part of the description of your activity, the Company questionnaire prior to third-party inspection of Qualimat Transport Specification compliance (Annex 2 to the Regulation) includes a section entitled “5. Information relating to the use of containers. »

Note: In general, aids for filling in the document are shown in green.

What is important to properly complete this part is to know the nature of the goods that are transported in the containers you operate. It determines the part of the document that you need to fill in.

The types of containers mentioned in the different tables are indicative. You can add lines or strike through lines that don’t apply to you.

• 5.1. Containers transporting ‘products’ covered by the Qualimat Transport Specifications (except the regulated ‘products’ under section 5.2)

This refers to all containers that carry “products” within the meaning of the product specification, with the exception of those said to be “regulated” and declared in point 5.2.

Example: in this part you declare containers that transport wheat, soybean meal, bran (IDTF code 40341).

• 5.2. Containers used solely for transporting regulated ‘products’

This includes all containers transporting “products” derived from animal by-products governed by EC Regulation 999/2001.

Example: In this section, you declare containers that carry Processed Poultry Animal Protein (IDTF code 10177).

•  5.3. Containers transporting prohibited goods

This refers to all containers that transport prohibited goods within the meaning of the specifications.

Example: in this part, you declare containers that transport asphalt (IDTF code 10010).

• 5.4. Containers transporting neither ‘products’ (regulated or otherwise) nor prohibited goods.

This refers to all other containers not mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, and which therefore do not carry any “product”, any “regulated product”, any prohibited goods within the meaning of the product specification.

Example: In this part, you are reporting containers that carry only gravel (IDTF code 40417).

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications – § 1.3 and Annex 1
• Regulations for Third-party Recognition – Annex 2

Response publication date: 06/17/2024

No, a trucker, working in the context of an exclusive traction activity, cannot be referenced by Qualimat Transport.

Indeed, the Qualimat Transport specifications concern operators in charge of the bulk transport of animal feed “products” by road.

However, a trucker is defined as a professional who transports goods on behalf of client companies in charge of managing the global logistics chain. The term “trucker” refers to the vehicle towing a trailer or semi-trailer loaded with the goods to be transported. The trucker is therefore not responsible for the operation of the container.

For more information, we invite you to consult the QualiSCOPE “Qualimat Transport et tractionnariat: comment ça marche ?” available on the Oqualim website.

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications – § 10.1 “Declaration”
• Regulations for Third-party Recognition – Annex 2

Response publication date: 25/11/2024

Two requirements are formulated in the Qualimat Transport specifications:

• Chapter 6.1 “Human resources”: “All operators engaged in the Qualimat Transport process undertake to inform and train their staff in applying the specifications. In particular, it is incumbent on them to train all staff involved in cleaning, washing and disinfecting containers. Transport operators must establish a periodic evaluation procedure of the staff concerned, including any internal noncompliance and any complaints from ordering parties in particular.”

Thus, the training and evaluation of the staff apply to all the employees of the trucker involved in the traction contract.

• Chapter 10.1 “Declaration” : “The transport operator must be able to demonstrate to the recipient in all circumstances that the container belongs to (i.e. is owned or rented by) a transport operator listed by Qualimat Transport, especially in the case of a trucker. Documents that stand as proof of this are the registration certificate, the rental agreement, the leasing contract, etc.”

In order to demonstrate, upon receipt, that the container towed by a trucker belongs to a transport operator referenced by Qualimat Transport, a written certificate may be issued by the owner of the container and presented to the recipient by the third-party trucker. Official Position n°3-004, available on the Oqualim website, offers a model of this type of certificate.

For more information, we invite you to consult the QualiSCOPE “Qualimat Transport et tractionnariat: comment ça marche ?” available on the Oqualim website.

Associated Qualimat Transport reference documents:

• Qualimat Transport Specifications – § 6.1 “Human resources” and § 10.1 “Declaration”
• Official Position No 3-004 “Provisions relating to businesses which use third party hauliers”

Response publication date: 25/11/2024