Background to the Beef Labelling Scheme

European legislation (820/97) was introduced in 1998 to guarantee that all beef sold in the EU had control measures in place to ensure that "product claims" made at the point of sale to consumers were true and that the beef was traceable back through the supply chainThe purpose of 820/97 was to restore confidence in the beef industry, demonstrate that beef was from known sources, and to protect consumers from being misled by inaccurate marketing claims.

PAI was the first UK Certification Body to be approved by UK Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF now DEFRA) and accredited by United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to carry out the Beef Labelling Scheme approval.

PAI Ltd carries out the necessary Beef Labelling Scheme approval work for a wide range of retailers, wholesalers, cutting plants and abattoirs, from very small local firms to the big nationals.

PAI Ltd is always able to carry out the assessment, reporting and certification with expert assessors at the most competitive prices.

PAI Ltd is able to react and carry out assessments at short notice to fit in with RPA demands for reports and certificates. PAI Ltd is currently carrying out the approval of retailer claims of the following type:

• Where the animal was reared
• Breed or cross-breed
• Age or sex of the animal
• Method of production (e.g. organic, farm assured, grass-fed etc)
• Method of slaughter (e.g. halal, kosher)
• Method of maturation

Scheme Requirements

The scheme requires participant beef suppliers to have a system of product identification and traceability and to employ a Certification Body, accredited to EN 45011 and approved by RPA, to certify that the claims are true.

We inspect all types of facilities from small butchers shops, retail outlets to big slaughter and manufacturing plants.

Outside Europe, Departments of Agriculture in all countries should be aware of the European Beef Labelling Scheme and be able to supply information.

Assessment Cost

Special rates are available for multi-site operations.

Inspections can also be linked to BRC or other types of assessment giving big savings in both time and cost. For a quick competitive quotation please email food@thepaigroup.com or contact Janette Parker on 01423 878878

Useful Links

RPA Beef Labelling Scheme