ACRS certification: All Products, All Locations

An ACRS certificate does not automatically cover every product made or supplied by a certified business. It applies only to the products, Standards and locations listed on the certificate, but importantly  certification is only available to a scheme user when all like products at all locations are certified.

This is the basis of ACRS’ “All Products: All Locations” policy.

Under ACRS’ “All Products: All Locations” policy, a certified supplier must include all “Assessable Products” and all relevant manufacturing locations within the scope of its certification programme. A manufacturer cannot hold certification for one product or production line and then supply similar assessable products from the same site outside that approved scope. 

If a manufacturer intends to introduce a new assessable product, change its production arrangements or supply from an additional location, it must notify ACRS. The product cannot be supplied as ACRS-certified until the certification programme scope has been reviewed and approved.

Under the ACRS Scheme Rules, all products manufactured or supplied under a particular standard are classified as “Assessable Materials” and must comply with the relevant product requirements. Accordingly, a Firm that is certified by ACRS for a particular product cannot manufacture, or supply both ACRS compliant and non-compliant products. All Assessable Products must meet the ACRS requirements.

Likewise, a certified supplier cannot hold ACRS certification for "Assessable Products" at one location and not its other locations.

For purchasers, the practical message is simple: do not rely on the supplier’s name, the manufacturing site or the appearance of a certificate alone.

Always check that:

• ACRS compliant materials are specified
• the certificate is current
• the exact product is listed
• the relevant Standard is named 
• the manufacturing and processing locations match the product being supplied.

ACRS certification provides assurance when the product supplied matches the approved scope of the certificate.

That is another reason to always check the certificate.