The Food Standards Agency is commissioning an evaluation and comparison of third party assurance schemes in England. A spokeswoman said: “Assurance schemes can provide information that contributes to the determination of risk-based frequency inspection regimes and some can address official controls. Such schemes can be beneficial for both business and regulators, through reducing inspections of business and targeting regulators’ resources.”

Applications to carry out the evaluation are invited by October 4 and the aim is that the project will identify third party assurance schemes operating in the food sector in England, establish criteria for acceptability of third party assurance schemes and measure a number of assurance schemes against this criteria. “The study should also aim to consider the outcomes of third party assurance schemes and to what extent compliance with food legislation is improved,” the agency stated.