Solution: Gluten free

Brief Description

The verification of product compliance for the user of the “Crossed grain trademark” logo defines the requirements an organization must comply with in order to obtain the “Gluten free” certificate for the production of gluten free foods. The scheme is based on the AOECS Standard for Gluten-Free Foods (Version June 2022).

The compliant products available to each stakeholder Organization have a direct correlation with suppliers and material partners involved in the production and standardization of the food, as well as with the production process that takes place on the Organization’s premises.

Detailed description

As society evolves, an increasing proportion of the population worldwide is switching to gluten-free consumption. The reasons vary for each individual and mainly include health awareness through a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease and other gluten-related conditions.

As many products use materials containing gluten or may be contaminated, through cross-contamination, with gluten, it is now particularly important to ensure that these products are suitable for use by people who choose a gluten-free lifestyle.

What are the benefits of receiving the certificate?

The verification of compliance and the “Crossed grain trademark” logo which is provided in collaboration with the Hellenic Coeliac Society, assists each organization to:
– Have verification of the conformity of its products by a trusted Body, acceptable to customers, freeing them from the need to perform the audit themselves, thus reducing the time and cost required.
– It demonstrates its commitment to providing products that meet the requirements of the Association of European Coeliac Societies (AOECS).
– It meets customer expectations.
– Actively contributes to increasing consumer trust.

Furthermore, the choice of verification of compliance with the requirements of “Gluten free” and TÜV AUSTRIA Hellas, adds value to each Organization through the reliability and strength that our name and brand name reflects and highlights the Organization’s commitment to provide products based on their compliance with the requirements of gluten free.

What is the certification process?

The following steps must be followed in order to verify the compliance of each Organization with the “Gluten free” scheme:
– Submit the “Gluten-free Product Declaration Form” Application to TÜV AUSTRIA.
– Contact the Hellenic Celiac Society.
– Acceptance of the financial terms and conditions of cooperation (contract and Certification Regulation).
– Submission of the necessary information from the Organization for the products to be verified (laboratory analyses of products for gluten-free detection).
– Planning and performing an on-site audit.
– Verification of the products after successful completion of the evaluation and possibility of using the “Crossed grain trademark” logo after approval by the Hellenic Celiac Society of the draft labels and the assignment of codes.
– Upon completion of the verification, follow-up of the Organization’s compliance monitoring through recertification audit on an annual basis.