Cyprus has launched a new National Quality Certification Mark that lets shoppers scan a QR code on packaging to check a product’s origin, production process and quality standards. Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou presented the system yesterday, at an event organised by the Department of Agriculture.
How the mark works
Agri-livestock products produced, packaged or processed in the Republic can now carry their own identity through the Mark, which will appear on packaged Cypriot agricultural products in QR-code form. Scanning the code gives consumers immediate access to information proving that a product meets specific criteria relating to its production, standardisation or processing.
Panayiotou said the initiative forms part of the Strategy for the Development of the Primary Sector and implements commitments in President Nikos Christodoulides‘ Governance Programme.
She said Cyprus cannot compete with large markets on production volume, but can excel and create high added value through quality, food safety, innovation and the reliability of its products. “The new National Quality Mark is the identity of Cypriot products,” Panayiotou said, adding that it proves each product has a producer who responsibly invests in quality, safety and environmental protection.
Department of Agriculture officer Dr Anthemis Melifronidou-Pantelidou, who presented the framework, said the Mark will be placed additionally on the packaging of Cypriot agri-livestock products, on the top right of the front label.
The Mark includes a QR code. By scanning it with a mobile phone, consumers gain access to text, photographs or videos proving the origin, production or processing path, and quality characteristics of the product, as well as the unique registration number of the approved Conformity Assessment Body.
Star grading
The Mark grades products on a scale of up to three stars, each representing strict specifications that exceed basic legislative requirements: an orange star for safety, covering additional food safety and public health requirements such as the CYS-22000 standard; a green star for environment, covering positive environmental footprint, water savings and proper waste management such as the CYS 14001 standard; and a yellow star for quality, covering specific criteria for quality upgrades during production and standardisation, such as the CYS 9001 standard.
Funding for producers
To encourage participation by farmers, livestock breeders and processing units, the state is providing financial support through the three-million-euro budget of the “Promotion and Support of Quality Systems” Action. Certification costs for participation in the National Quality Certification System will be up to 3,000 euros annually per holding or unit, with an additional flat sum of 300 euros annually to cover administrative costs, record-keeping and preparation of documentation. Participants will also receive increased scoring in the Ministry’s investment programmes for modernising and upgrading their facilities.
In addition, through the Support for the Promotion of Quality Systems Action, support of up to 100,000 euros per beneficiary, such as producer groups, will be available per three-year period, covering 70 percent of eligible expenses, for information and promotion activities for certified products in the market.
Enforcement
Department of Agriculture Director Makis Antoniadis said the new system is not simply a promotional tool but a mechanism of substantial control.
Independent, accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies will carry out inspections, under the continuous supervision of the Department of Agriculture. If non-compliance with the set criteria is found, the right to use the Mark will be removed immediately.