Specific requirements for products

Product quality assessment may include examination of a product for allergen ingredients or evaluation of a product’s role in reducing allergen contact. 

In general, any product, including cosmetics, detergents or cleaning products, can be certified with the ECARF Seal of Quality. The basic requirements are that the producer can demonstrate reliable controlled product quality with the goal of improving quality of life for allergy sufferers.

We are happy to give you information and advice. 
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You will find ECARF criteria for a variety of product groups in our download area.

A list of all ECARF-certified allergy-friendly products can be found under Certifications/Certified Products.

Hidden, undeclared ingredients pose a considerable problem for allergy sufferers. Allergen substances may enter a product through unintentional contamination of ingredients. This can happen, for example, if the same equipment is used to transport a variety of raw materials, or if production machines are not kept strictly separate, as in the production of chocolate with or without nuts. Avoiding unintentional contact with allergens in the production process is just as important as the exclusion of allergy-causing substances in the product itself. A particular kind of process is necessary to guarantee this, usually referred to as allergen management.

For those allergic to food products, it is essential that the ingredients of a product are listed exactly and that the legally defined threshold values are observed. For some allergy sufferers, there are individual allergens which must be avoided, such as nuts or milk, for example. These persons are aided greatly by food product packaging that includes the declaration “free of” the trigger allergen. For other allergic persons, however, a whole range of allergens may be problematic. It is therefore extremely important that each product include a complete declaration of its ingredients. The ECARF Seal of Quality provides both groups of allergic persons with helpful information on allergy-friendly food products, either with the marking “free of”, or in keeping with the criteria of the “Extended Declaration”. 

Allergen management in the production process, declaration of ingredients and random sample testing to monitor product quality are the basis of the ECARF Seal of Quality for allergy-friendly food products. The detailed criteria for certification can be found in the download area. 

You will find an overview of all ECARF certified food products under Certifications/Food products.