Klassifizierungsunternehmen für Schlachtkörper von Rindern, Schweinen und Schafen Zulassung

If your company classifies carcasses of cattle, pigs and sheep in statutory commercial classes and categories, you need an approval. You can apply for this from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE).

Companies that classify carcasses of cattle, pigs and sheep into statutory commercial classes and categories require approval. They can apply for this from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE).

The classification of carcasses is the categorization of carcasses into legal trade classes and categories. Classification is carried out according to defined rules. Animal characteristics such as age, sex and castration as well as meat characteristics such as muscle fullness and meat-to-fat ratio are used for evaluation.

Classification according to uniform standards is aimed at the uniform assessment and price evaluation of meat in trade on the basis of qualitative characteristics.

• Completed application
• Proof that your company can carry out the classification properly in accordance with the relevant trade class legislation
• Proof that the personnel intended for the classification have the required authorization
• Extract from the company's organizational structure
• Extract from the central trade register
• Copy of the partnership agreement or articles of association

• Your company has a branch or an address for service in Germany.
• Your company fulfills the requirements of the standard "DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020:201207 Type A". Certification by an accreditation body is not required.
• Your company demonstrably works independently, reliably and competently.
• Your company has a sufficient number of employees who are authorized to classify meat.

You can apply for approval as a classification company online or by post to the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE).

Apply for approval online:

• Call up the online application in the federal portal. This will guide you step by step through the necessary information.
• Upload the required documents and submit the application online. Alternatively, you can print out the completed online application and send it to the BLE by post with the required documents.
• The BLE will check your application documents and contact you if anything is unclear or information is missing.
• If the documents and information are complete, you will receive a provisional approval notice.
• The BLE will arrange for an on-site inspection at your classification company (office audit) and inspections at the slaughterhouses (witness audits) where your classification company operates.
• If no deficiencies are found during these inspections, you will receive a final approval notice valid for 5 years.
• You will also receive a fee notice.
• You pay the fee.

Apply for approval by post:

• First apply for the application form. You can do this informally by sending an e-mail or a letter to the BLE's Department 524.
• Complete the application form you receive.
• Send the completed and signed application form with the required documents by post to the BLE.
• The BLE will check your application documents and contact you if anything is unclear or information is missing.
• If the documents and information are complete, you will receive a provisional approval notice.
• The BLE will arrange for an on-site inspection at your classification company (office audit) and inspections at the slaughterhouses (witness audits) where your classification company operates.
• If no deficiencies are found during these inspections, you will receive a final approval notice valid for 5 years.
• You will also receive a fee notice.
• You pay the fee.

• Appeal:

You will find information on how to lodge an objection in the notification of your application.

• Classification companies for carcasses of cattle, pigs and sheep Approval
• Companies that classify carcasses of cattle, pigs and sheep into statutory commercial classes and categories must apply for approval from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food.
• Approval is valid for 5 years and can be extended
• Required documents:
  • Application
  • Proof of proper application of the respective trade class law
  • Proof of approval of the personnel intended for the classification.
  • Description of the company's organizational structure
  • Extract from the central trade register
  • Copy of the partnership agreement or articles of association
• Costs:
  • Registration fee: EUR 290.00
  • Basic amount for on-site examinations: EUR 290.00 - 630.00
  • Fee per examination day: EUR 810.00
• Application online or in writing by post
• Processing time: up to 6 months

Responsible: Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE)