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USDA Process Verified Program

1 Purpose

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Science and Technology Program (S&T), Seed Regulatory 

and Testing Division (SRTD), offers the USDA Process Verified Program as a means to facilitate the 

marketing of agricultural products and to follow this procedure to objectively evaluate USDA Process 

Verified Programs applicants. The USDA Process Verified Program allows applicants (1) to identify 

their process points for verification and (2) the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide 

consistent quality products or services. This procedure provides applicants the requirements for 

developing and maintaining a USDA Process Verified Program.

2 Scope

The USDA Process Verified Program verifies that an applicant’s business process or portion of their 

business process, including process verified points, are supported by a documented quality management 

system. The applicant’s quality management system describes how they adhere to various defined 

requirements, and the scope of their program, which may include all phases of production and marketing, 

from genetic development through retail distribution.

Where any requirements cannot be applied due to the nature of an applicant’s company and its product or 

service, these requirements may be considered for exclusion. Exclusions are limited to requirements 

within Clause 4 Product Realization and must not affect the applicant’s ability to provide a conforming 

product or service. Additionally, exclusions do not alleviate the applicant’s responsibility to provide a 

conforming product.

Products or services produced under a USDA Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program may be 

incorporated into a USDA Process Verified Program provided that (1) the products or services meet 

process verified points of the program and (2) additional requirements are met that are listed in this 

procedure.

3 Methodology

S&T uses the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) 9000 series standards for 

documented quality management systems as a format for evaluating USDA Process Verified Program

documentation to ensure consistent auditing practices and promote international recognition of audit 

results.

4 References

S&T 1000 Procedure, Quality Systems Verification Programs General Policies and Procedures 

S&T 1115 Procedure, Program Review Committee Procedures

5 Responsibilities

S&T and applicants must meet all applicable requirements outlined in this Procedure and S&T 1000 

Procedure, Quality Systems Verification Program General Policies and Procedure.

Any suggested changes to this Procedure should be submitted to S&T via email to
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todd.erickson@usda.gov. Please include the procedure name i.e. “S&T 1001Suggested Changes” in the 

subject line of the message.

6 Process Verified Points

6.1 Process verified points must be verifiable, repeatable, auditable, feasible, and factual.

6.2 Process verified points must not be requirements of 1) regulations or 2) quality management 

system criteria listed within this procedure.

6.3 Allowable process verified points may include:

a) Adherence to a recognized standard, documentation, monitoring, or auditing that is not 

otherwise required by the quality management system or regulation

b) A production and/or handling practice that provides specific information to consumers to 

enable them to make informed decisions on the products that they buy

c) A service with a characteristic for that type of operation

d) A quantifiable characteristic such as size, weight, or age

e) A characteristic, practice, or requirement that is specifically requested by a customer or 

consumer

6.4 A Program Review Committee conducts reviews of all new process verified points to ensure that 

the above requirements are met.

7 Audit Frequency

7.1 After new programs receive a satisfactory desk audit, the applicant receives an onsite audit (the 

initial audit). 

7.2 Approved programs are audited once every three years.

7.3 More frequent audits may be conducted at the applicant’s expense when (1) numerous minor nonconformances or a major non-conformance are identified during the audit; (2) for cause; or (3) directed by 

the Program Manager.

7.4 Sites where key management system and process point activities occur such as an applicant office, 

a feed mill, processing facility, feedlot, etc.

8 Program Review Committee

8.1 The Program Review Committee makes decisions on program inquiries (including process points), 

new applications, approvals, denials, significant changes, reinstatements, withdrawals, and 

suspensions. The Program Review Committee may also be used to address Complaints.

8.2 The Program Review Committee reviews new program applications and extension of scope 

requests. For new applications, the applicant’s process verified points are reviewed by a Program

Review Committee prior to the initial desk audit. The purpose of the review is to determine if

S&T has the capability to conduct the audit. This, in part, is determined by evaluating S&T’s 

policies to ensure the work falls within the scope of the program and doesn’t conflict with any 

other established policies, determining if subject matter experts and auditors with the competence 

necessary to perform the audit are available, and determining if the workload will allow the audit 
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to be performed in a timely manner.

8.3 The Program Review Committee reviews process points submitted through inquiries, new 

applications, and requests to extend the scope of approved programs. The purpose of the review is 

to determine if the process verified points included within the applicant’s program are verifiable, 

repeatable, feasible, auditable, and factual.

8.4 The Program Review Committee reviews the results of initial audits, annual surveillance audits, 

and extension of scope requests, as applicable when making decisions. Decisions regarding 

suspension and withdrawal are limited to those based on the findings of the audit.

8.5 The Program Review Committee makes the final decision regarding program status, except for 

decisions regarding reduction of scope; they may be made by the Program Manager.

8.6 Appeals to the Program Review Committee decisions are reviewed by the Program Manager.

8.7 The review is conducted and recorded in accordance to the S&T 1115 Procedure.

9 Listing of Approved Programs

Approved programs are listed on the USDA Process Verified Program website at 

http://processverified.usda.gov/. The listing includes the following information about the approved 

program:

a) Applicant name

b) Applicant contact information

c) Process Verified Points

d) Reference to basis for process verified points; definition or standard

e) Report reference number (approval number)

f) Renewal date

10 Certificate of Conformance

The Program Manager issues a Certificate of Conformance to all applicants with approved programs. The 

Certificate of Conformance identifies the program, location, scope, certificate number, issue date, and 

renewal date.

11 Program Requirements (Clauses 1 to 6)

Applicants must submit a documented program that addresses the program requirements as outlined in the 

following clauses (Clauses 1 to 6).

1 Quality Management System

1.1 General Requirements

1.1.1 The applicant must establish, document, implement, and maintain a quality management 

system and continually improve its effectiveness in accordance with the requirements of this Program.

1.1.2 The applicant must:
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a) Determine the processes needed for the quality management system and their application 

throughout the organization

b) Determine the sequence and interaction of these processes

c) Determine criteria and methods needed to ensure that both the operation and controlof 

these processes are effective

d) Ensure the availability of resources and information necessary to support the operation and 

monitoring of these processes

e) Monitor, measure, where applicable, and analyze these processes

f) Implement actions necessary to achieve planned results and continual improvement of 

these processes

1.1.3 These processes must be managed by the applicant in accordance with the requirements of this 

Program.

1.1.4 Where an applicant chooses to outsource any process that affects product conformity to 

requirements, the applicant must ensure control over such processes. The type and extent of control to be 

applied to these outsourced processes must be defined within the quality management system.

NOTE 1: Processes needed for the quality management system referred to above should 

include processes for management activities, provision of resources, product realization, 

measurement, analysis, and improvement.

NOTE 2: An “outsourced process” is a process that the organization needs for its quality 

management system and which the organization chooses to have performed by an external 

party.

NOTE 3: Ensuring control over outsourced processes does not absolve the organization of the 

responsibility to conform to customer, statutory, and regulatory requirements. The type and 

extent of control to be applied to the outsourced process can be influenced by factors such as:

a) The potential impact of the outsourced process on the organization’s capability to 

provide product that conforms to the requirements

b) The degree to which the control for the process is shared

c) The capability of achieving the necessary control through the application of Clause 4.5
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1.2 Documentation Requirements

1.2.1 General

1.2.1.1 The applicant’s quality management system documentation must include;

a) A quality manual

b) Documented and defined process verified points

c) Documented statements of a quality policy and quality objectives

d) Documented procedures and records required by this Program

e) Documents, including records, determined by the applicant to be necessary to ensure the 

effective planning, operation, and control of its process.

NOTE 1: Where the term "documented procedure" appears within this document, this means 

that the procedure is established, documented, implemented, and maintained. A single 

document may address the requirements for one or more procedures. A requirement for a 

documented procedure may be covered by more than one document.

NOTE 2: The extent of the quality management system documentation can differ from one 

applicant to another due to a) the size of organization and type of activities; b) the complexity 

of processes and their interactions; and c) the competence of personnel.

NOTE 3: The documentation can be in any form or type of medium.

1.2.2 Quality Manual

1.2.2.1 The applicant must establish and maintain a quality manual that meets the requirements of this 

Program and includes:

a) The scope of the quality management system, including details of and justification for any 

exclusions

b) The process verified points

c) The documented procedures established for the quality management system, or reference 

to them; including records maintained for the quality management system

d) A description of the interaction between the processes of the quality management system

e) Other documents as required by the quality management system

1.2.3 Control of Documents

1.2.3.1 Documents required by the quality management system must be controlled. Records are a 

special type of document and must be controlled according to the requirements given in Clause 1.2.4.

1.2.3.2 A master document list must be established that shows the most current issue of the quality 

management system procedures, work instructions, forms, tags, and labels used to track or demonstrate 

conformance.
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1.2.3.3 A documented procedure must be established to define the controls needed to:

a) Approve documents for adequacy prior to issue

b) Review and update as necessary and re-approve documents

c) Ensure that changes and the current revision status of documents are identified on all pages

d) Ensure that relevant versions of applicable documents are available at points of use

e) Ensure that documents remain legible and readily identifiable

f) Ensure that documents of external origin determined by the applicant to be necessary for 

the planning and operation of the quality management system are identified and their 

distribution controlled;

g) Prevent the unintended use of obsolete documents, and to apply suitable identification to 

them if they are retained for any purpose

h) Retain all documents for the timeframe necessary to provide evidence of conformance

1.2.3.4 Changes significantly affecting the approved program, such as intended modification to the 

program, manufacturing process, or if relevant, its quality management system, which affects the 

conformity of the program including product produced under the program, must be submitted to the 

Program Manager for approval prior to implementation.

1.2.4 Control of Records

1.2.4.1 Records must be established and controlled to provide evidence of conformity to 

requirements, including the process verified points, and of the effective operation of the quality 

management system. Records must remain legible, readily identifiable, and retrievable.

1.2.4.2 A documented procedure must be established to define the controls needed for the 

identification, storage, protection, retrieval, retention time, and disposition of records.

1.2.4.3 Records must be retained for the timeframe necessary to provide evidence of conformance.

2 Management Responsibility

2.1 Management Commitment

2.1.1 Top management must provide evidence of its commitment to the development and 

implementation of the quality management system and continually improving its effectiveness by:

a) Communicating to the organization the importance of meeting customers as well as 

statutory and regulatory requirements

b) Establishing the quality policy

c) Ensuring that quality objectives are established

d) Conducting management reviews

e) Ensuring the availability of resources

2.2 Customer Focus

2.2.1 Top management must ensure that customer requirements are determined and are met with the 

aim of enhancing customer satisfaction (see Clauses 4.2.1 and 5.2.1).
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2.3 Quality Policy

2.3.1 Top management must ensure that the quality policy:

a) Is appropriate to the purpose of the organization in relation to its USDA Process Verified 

Program

b) Includes a commitment to comply with requirements and continually improve the 

effectiveness of the quality management system

c) Provides a framework for establishing and reviewing quality objectives

d) Is communicated and understood within the organization

e) Is reviewed for continuing suitability

2.4 Planning

2.4.1 Quality Objective

2.4.1.1 Top management must ensure that quality objectives, including those needed to meet 

requirements for product (see Clause 4.1a), are established at relevant functions and levels within the 

organization. The quality objectives must be measurable and consistent with the quality policy.

2.4.2 Quality Management System Planning

2.4.2.1 Top management must ensure that:

a) The planning of the quality management system is carried out in order to meet the 

requirements given in Clause 4.1, as well as the quality objectives

b) The integrity of the quality management system is maintained when changes to the quality 

management system are planned and implemented.

2.4.3 Process Verified Points

2.4.3.1 Top management must ensure that the process verified points are:

a) Established and stated in the quality manual;

b) Included as part of the overall quality management system; and

c) Verifiable, repeatable, auditable, feasible, and factual.

2.5 Responsibility, Authority, and Communication

2.5.1 Responsibility and Authority

2.5.1.1 Top management must ensure that responsibilities and authorities are defined and 

communicated within the organization.

2.5.1.2 An organization chart or similar document listing all personnel, their responsibilities, and 

authorities assigned to managerial positions within the program must be included in the quality manual.

2.5.2 Management Representative

2.5.2.1 Top management must appoint a member of the applicant’s management who, irrespective of 

other responsibilities, must have responsibility and authority that includes:

a) Ensuring that processes needed for the quality management system are established, 

implemented, and maintained
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b) Reporting to top management on the performance of the quality management system and 

any need for improvement

c) Ensuring the promotion of awareness of customer requirements throughout the 

organization

NOTE: The responsibility of a management representative can include liaison with external 

parties on matters relating to the quality management system.

2.5.3 Internal Communication

2.5.3.1 Top management must ensure that appropriate communication processes are established within 

the organization and that communication takes place regarding the effectiveness of the quality 

management system.

2.6 Management Review

2.6.1 General

2.6.1.1 Top management must review the organization's quality management system at planned 

intervals to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness. This review must include 

assessing opportunities for improvement and the need for changes to the quality managementsystem, 

including the quality policy, quality objectives, and process verified points.

2.6.1.2 Records from management reviews must be maintained.

2.6.2 Review Input

2.6.2.1 The input to management review must include information on:

a) Results of audits

b) Customer feedback

c) Process performance and product conformity

d) Status of preventive and corrective actions

e) Follow-up actions from previous management reviews

f) Changes that could affect the quality management system

g) Recommendations for improvement

2.6.3 Review Output

2.6.3.1 The output from the management review must include any decisions and actions related to:

a) Improvement of the effectiveness of the quality management system and its processes

b) Improvement of product related to customer requirements

c) Resource needs

3 Resource Management

3.1 Provision of Resources

3.1.1 The applicant must determine and provide the resources needed:

a) To implement and maintain the quality management system and continually improve its 
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effectiveness

b) To enhance customer satisfaction by meeting customer requirements

3.2 Human Resources

3.2.1 General

3.2.1.1 Personnel performing work affecting conformity to product requirements must be competent 

on the basis of appropriate education, training, skills, and/or experience, as applicable.

NOTE: Conformity to product requirements can be affected directly or indirectly by personnel performing 

any task within the quality management system.

3.2.2 Competence, Awareness, and Training

3.2.2.1 The applicant must determine the necessary competence for personnel performing work 

affecting conformity to product requirements.

3.2.2.2 The applicant must determine the criteria for training and must provide training to achieve the 

necessary competence for personnel performing work affecting conformity to product requirements.

3.2.2.3 The applicant must have a documented procedure to ensure all personnel performing work 

affecting product quality are properly trained in relevant aspects of the quality management system.

3.2.2.4 The documented procedure must include:

a) Providing training or take other actions to satisfy these needs

b) Evaluating the effectiveness of the actions taken

c) Ensuring that its personnel are aware of the relevance and importance of their activities and 

how they contribute to the achievement of the quality objectives

3.2.2.5 The applicant must maintain appropriate records of education, training, skills, and experience. 

Training records must include the scope of the training received.

3.3 Infrastructure

3.3.1 The applicant must determine, provide, and maintain the infrastructure needed to achieve 

conformity to product requirements. Infrastructure includes, as applicable:

a) Buildings, workspace, and associated utilities

b) Processing equipment (both hardware and software)

c) Supporting services (such as transport, communication, or information systems)

3.4 Work Environment

3.5 The applicant must determine and manage the work environment needed to achieve 

conformity to product requirements.

NOTE: The term “work environment” relates to those conditions under which work is 

performed including physical, environmental, and other factors (such as noise, temperature, 

humidity, lighting, or weather).
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4 Product Realization

4.1 Planning of Product Realization

4.1.1 The applicant must plan and develop the processes needed for product realization. Planning of 

product realization must be consistent with the requirements of the other processes of the quality 

management system (see Clause 1.1).

4.1.2 In planning product realization, the applicant must determine the following, as appropriate:

a) Quality objectives and requirements for the product

b) The need to establish processes, documents, and provide resources specific to the product

c) Required verification, validation, monitoring, measurement, inspection, and test activities 

specific to the product and the criteria for product acceptance

d) Records needed to provide evidence that the realization processes and resulting product 

meet requirements

4.1.3 The output of this planning must be in a form suitable for the applicant’s methods of 

operations.

NOTE 1: A document specifying the processes of the quality management system (including 

the product realization processes) and the resources to be applied to a specific product, 

project, or contract, can be referred to as a quality plan.

NOTE 2: The applicant may also apply the requirements given in 10.4 to the development of 

product realization processes.

4.2 Customer-related Processes

4.2.1 Determination of Requirements Related to the Product

4.2.1.1 The applicant must determine:

a) The process verified points

b) Requirements specified by the customer, including the requirements for delivery and postdelivery activities

c) Requirements not stated by the customer but necessary for specified or intended uses, 

where known

d) Statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the product

e) Any additional requirements considered necessary by the applicant

NOTE: Post-delivery activities include, for example, actions under warranty provisions, 

contractual obligations such as maintenance and supplementary services, such as recycling or 

final disposal.

4.2.2 Review of Requirements Related to the Product

4.2.2.1 The applicant must review the requirements related to the product. This review must be 

conducted prior to the applicant’s commitment to supply a product to the customer (e.g. submission of 

tenders, acceptance of contracts or orders, acceptance of changes to contracts or orders) and must ensure 

that:
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a) Product requirements are defined

b) Contract or order requirements differing from those previously expressed are resolved

c) The applicant has the ability to meet the defined requirements

4.2.2.2 Records of the results of the review and actions arising from the review must bemaintained.

4.2.2.3 Where the customer provides no documented statement of requirement, the customer 

requirements must be confirmed by the applicant before acceptance.

4.2.2.4 Where product requirements are changed, the applicant must ensure that relevant documents 

are amended and that relevant personnel are made aware of the changed requirements.

NOTE: In some situations, such as internet sales, a formal review is impractical for each 

order. Instead the review can cover relevant product information such as catalogues or 

advertising material.

4.3 Customer Communication

4.3.1 The applicant must determine and implement effective arrangements for communicating with 

customers in relation to:

a) Product information

b) Enquiries, contracts or order handling, including amendments

c) Customer feedback, including customer complaints

4.4 Design and Development

4.4.1 Design and Development Planning

4.4.1.1 The applicant must plan and control the design and development of product.

4.4.1.2 During the design and development planning, the applicant must determine:

a) The design and development stages

b) The review, verification, and validation that are appropriate to each design and 

development stage

c) The responsibilities and authorities for design and development

4.4.1.3 The applicant must manage the interfaces between different groups involved in design and 

development to ensure effective communication and clear assignment of responsibility.

4.4.1.4 Planning output must be updated, as appropriate, as the design and development progresses.

NOTE: Design and development review, verification, and validation have distinct purposes. 

They can be conducted and recorded separately or in any combination, as suitable for the

product and the applicant.

4.4.2 Design and Development Inputs

4.4.2.1 Inputs relating to product requirements must be determined and records maintained. These 
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inputs must include:

a) Functional and performance requirements

b) Applicable statutory and regulatory requirements

c) Where applicable, information derived from previous similar designs

d) Other requirements essential for design and development

4.4.2.2 These inputs must be reviewed for adequacy. Requirements must be complete, unambiguous, 

and not in conflict with each other.

4.4.3 Design and Development Outputs

4.4.3.1 The outputs of design and development must be in the form suitable for verification against the 

design and development input and must be approved prior to release.

4.4.3.2 Design and development outputs must:

a) Meet the input requirements for design and development

b) Provide appropriate information for purchasing, production, and service provision

c) Contain or reference product acceptance criteria

d) Specify the characteristics of the product that are essential for its safe and proper use

NOTE: Information for production and service provision can include details for the 

preservation of product.

4.4.4 Design and Development Review

4.4.4.1 At suitable stages, systematic reviews of design and development must be performed in 

accordance with planned arrangements (see Clause 4.4.1)

a) To evaluate the ability of the results of design and development to meet requirements

b) To identify any problems and propose necessary actions

4.4.4.2 Participants in such reviews must include representatives of functions concerned with the 

design and development stage(s) being reviewed.

4.4.4.3 Records of the results of the reviews and any necessary actions must be maintained.
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4.4.5 Design and Development Verification

4.4.5.1 Verification must be performed in accordance with planned arrangements (see Clause 4.4.1) to 

ensure that the design and development outputs have met the design and development input requirements.

4.4.5.2 Records of the results of the verification and any necessary actions must be maintained.

4.4.6 Design and Development Validation

4.4.6.1 Design and development validation must be performed in accordance with planned 

arrangements (see Clause 4.4.1) to ensure that the resulting product is capable of meeting the 

requirements for the specified application or intended use, where known. Wherever practicable, 

validation must be completed prior to the delivery or implementation of the product.

4.4.6.2 Records of the results of validation and any necessary actions must be maintained.

4.4.7 Control of Design and Development Changes

4.4.7.1 Design and development changes must be identified and records maintained. The changes 

must be reviewed, verified, and validated, as appropriate, and approved before implementation. The 

review of design and development changes must include evaluation of the effect of the changes on 

constituent parts and product already delivered.

4.4.7.2 Records of the results of the review of changes and any necessary actions must be maintained.

4.5 Purchasing

4.5.1 Purchasing Process

4.5.1.1 The applicant must ensure that product purchased and/or received from outside establishments 

and used in the program conforms to specified purchase requirements. The type and extent of control 

applied to the supplier and the purchased and/or received product must be dependent upon the effect of 

the purchased and/or received product on subsequent product realization or the final product.

4.5.1.2 The applicant must evaluate and select suppliers based on their ability to supply product in 

accordance with the applicant’s requirements. Criteria for selection, evaluation, and re-evaluation must 

be established and documented.

4.5.1.3 Records of the results of evaluations and any necessary actions arising from the evaluation 

must be maintained.

4.5.2 Purchasing Information

4.5.2.1 Documented purchasing information must describe the product to be purchased and/or 

received, including where appropriate:

a) Requirements for approval of product, procedures, processes, and equipment

b) Requirements for qualification of personnel

c) Quality management system requirements
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4.5.2.2 The applicant must ensure the adequacy of specified purchase requirements prior to their 

communication to the supplier.

4.5.3 Verification of Purchased Product

4.5.3.1 The applicant must establish, document, and implement the inspection of other activities 

necessary for ensuring that purchased and/or received product meets specified purchase requirements.

4.5.3.2 Where the applicant or its customer intends to perform verification at the supplier's premises, 

the applicant must state the intended verification arrangements and method of product release in the 

purchasing information.

4.5.3.3 The applicant must maintain records to provide evidence of conformity to thepurchasing 

process and of the effective operation of the purchasing process.

4.6 Production and Service Provision

4.6.1 Control of Production and Service Provision

4.6.1.1 The applicant must plan and carry out production and service provision under controlled 

conditions.

4.6.1.2 Controlled conditions must include, as applicable:

a) The availability of information that describes the characteristics of the product

b) The availability of work instructions, as necessary

c) The use of suitable equipment

d) The availability and use of monitoring and measuring equipment

e) The implementation of monitoring and measurement

f) The implementation of product release, delivery, and post-delivery activities

4.6.2 Validation of Processes for Production and Service Provision

4.6.2.1 The applicant must validate any processes for production and service provision where the 

resulting output cannot be verified by subsequent monitoring or measurement. This includes any 

processes where deficiencies become apparent only after the product is in use or the service has been 

delivered.

4.6.2.2 Validation must demonstrate the ability of these processes to achieve planned results.

4.6.2.3 The applicant must establish arrangements for these processes including, as applicable:

a) Defined criteria for review and approval of the processes

b) Approval of equipment and qualification of the personnel

c) Use of specific methods and procedures

d) Requirements for records

e) Re-validation

4.6.3 Identification and Traceability

4.6.3.1 The applicant must have a documented procedure to identify the product (raw materials and 

finished product) by suitable means throughout product realization, where appropriate.
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4.6.3.2 The documented procedure must describe the method for:

a) Identifying product by suitable means throughout product realization, where appropriate

b) Identifying the product status with respect to monitoring and measurement requirements 

throughout product realization

c) Controlling and recording the unique identification of the product, when traceability is a 

requirement

d) Controlling and recording the use of the "USDA Process Verified" shield or the term 

"USDA Process Verified", if applicable

4.6.3.3 The unique identification of the product must be such that the identification will transfer 

through all phases of product realization, from receipt into the program through production to delivery.

4.6.3.4 The applicant must maintain records of all products as identified and records of all changes of 

identities.

4.6.4 Customer Property

4.6.4.1 The applicant must exercise care with customer property while it is under the applicant’s 

control or being used by the applicant. The applicant must identify, verify, protect, and safeguard 

customer property provided for use or incorporation into the product. If any customer property is lost, 

damaged, or otherwise found to be unsuitable for use, the applicant must report this to the customer and 

maintain records.

NOTE: Customer property can include intellectual property and personal data.

4.6.5 Preservation of Product

4.6.5.1 The applicant must preserve the product during internal processing and delivery to the 

intended destination in order to maintain conformity to requirements. As applicable, preservation must 

include identification, handling, packaging, storage, and protection. Preservation must also apply to the 

constituent parts of a product.

4.7 Control of Monitoring and Measuring Equipment

4.7.1 The applicant must determine the monitoring and measurement to be undertaken and the 

monitoring and measuring equipment needed to provide evidence of conformity of product to determined 

requirements (see Clause 2.4.3).

4.7.2 The applicant must establish processes to ensure that monitoring and measurement can be 

carried out and are carried out in a manner that is consistent with the monitoring and measurement 

requirements.

4.7.3 Where necessary to ensure valid results, measuring equipment must:
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a) Be calibrated and/or verified at specified intervals, or prior to use, against measurement 

standards traceable to international or national measurement standards; where no such 

standards exist, the basis used for calibration or verification must be recorded

b) Be adjusted or re-adjusted as necessary

c) Have identification in order to determine its calibration status

d) Be safeguarded from adjustments that would invalidate the measurement result

e) Be protected from damage and deterioration during handling, maintenance, and storage

4.7.4 In addition, the applicant must assess and record the validity of the previous measuring results 

when the equipment is found not to conform to requirements. The applicant must take appropriate action 

on the equipment and any product affected.

4.7.5 Records of the results of calibration and verification must be maintained.

4.7.6 When used in the monitoring and measurement of specified requirements, the ability of 

computer software to satisfy the intended application must be confirmed. This must be undertaken prior 

to initial use and reconfirmed as necessary.

NOTE: Confirmation of the ability of computer software to satisfy the intended application 

would typically include its verification and configuration management to maintain its 

suitability for use.

5 Measurement, Analysis, and Improvement

5.1 General

5.1.1 The applicant must plan and implement the monitoring, measurement, analysis, and 

improvement processes needed:

a) To demonstrate conformance to product requirements

b) To ensure conformity of the quality management system

c) To continually improve the effectiveness of the quality management

5.1.2 This must include determination of applicable methods, including statistical techniques, and 

the extent of their use.

5.2 Monitoring and Measurement

5.2.1 Customer Perception

5.2.1.1 As one of the measurements of the performance of the quality management system, the 

applicant must monitor information relating to customer perception as to whether the applicant has met 

customer requirements. The methods for obtaining and using this information must be determined.

5.2.1.2 The applicant must maintain records relating to customer perception relating to conformance 

of the program or products produced under the program.

5.2.1.3 The applicant must take appropriate action addressing customer complaints and any 
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deficiencies found in the program, or product, if applicable, that affect conformance. The applicant must 

maintain records of such actions taken.

NOTE: Monitoring customer perception can include obtaining input from sources such as 

customer satisfaction surveys, customer data on delivered product quality, user opinion 

surveys, lost business analysis, compliments, warranty claims, and dealer reports.

5.2.2 Internal Audit

5.2.2.1 The applicant must conduct internal audits at planned intervals to determine whether the 

quality management system:

a) Conforms to the planned arrangements (see Clause 4.1), to the requirements of this 

document and to the quality management system requirements established by the applicant

b) Is effectively implemented and maintained

5.2.2.2 An audit program must be planned, taking into consideration the status and importance of the 

processes and areas to be audited, as well as the results of previous audits. The audit criteria, scope, 

frequency, and methods must be defined. The selection of auditors and conduct of audits must ensure 

objectivity and impartiality of the audit process. Auditors must not audit their own work.

5.2.2.3 The responsibilities and requirements for planning and conducting audits, selecting auditors, 

reporting results, conducting follow-up activities, and maintaining records must be defined in a 

documented procedure.

5.2.2.4 Records of the audits and their results must be maintained.

5.2.2.5 The management responsible for the area being audited must ensure that any necessary 

corrections and corrective actions are taken without undue delay to eliminate detected non-conformities 

and their causes. Follow-up activities must include the verification of the actions taken and the reporting 

of verification results (see Clause 5.5.2).

NOTE 1: See ISO 19011 for guidance.

NOTE 2: Prior to initial approval of a program, the applicant must conduct an internal audit 

and submit those results to the AMS Branch as part of the application for service.

5.2.3 Monitoring and Measurement of Processes

5.2.3.1 The applicant must apply suitable methods for monitoring and, where applicable, measurement 

of the quality management system processes. These methods must demonstrate the ability of the 

processes to achieve planned results. When planned results are not achieved, correction and corrective 

action must be taken, as appropriate.

NOTE: When determining suitable methods, it is advisable that the applicant consider the type 

and extent of monitoring or measurement appropriate to each of its processes in relation to

their impact on the conformity to product requirements and on the effectiveness of the quality 

management system.
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5.2.4 Monitoring and Measurement of Product

5.2.4.1 The applicant must monitor and measure the characteristics of the product to verify that 

product requirements have been met. This must be carried out at appropriate stages of the product 

realization process in accordance with the planned arrangements (see Clause 4.1).

5.2.4.2 Evidence of conformity with the acceptance criteria must be maintained. Records must 

indicate the person(s) authorizing release of product for delivery to the customer.

5.2.4.3 The release of product and delivery of service to the customer must not proceed until the 

planned arrangements (see Clause 4.1) have been satisfactorily completed, unless otherwise approved by 

a relevant authority and, where applicable, by the customer.

5.3 Control of Non-conforming Product

5.3.1 The applicant must ensure that product which does not conform to product requirements is 

identified and controlled to prevent its unintended use or delivery.

5.3.2 A documented procedure must be established to define the identification of non-conforming 

product; the controls used to prevent the unintended use or delivery of non-conforming product; and the 

related responsibilities and authorities for dealing with non-conforming product.

5.3.3 The applicant must deal with non-conforming product by one or more of the following ways:

a) By taking action to eliminate the detected non-conformity

b) By authorizing its use, release, or acceptance under concession by a relevant authority and, 

where applicable, by the customer

c) By taking action to preclude its original intended use or application

5.3.4 Records of the nature of non-conformances and any subsequent actions taken, including 

concessions obtained, must be maintained.

5.3.5 When non-conforming product is corrected, it must be subject to re-verification to demonstrate 

conformance to the requirements.

5.3.6 When non-conforming product is detected after delivery or use has started, the applicant must 

take action appropriate to the effects, or potential effects, of the non-conformance.

5.4 Analysis of Data

5.4.1 The applicant must determine, collect, and analyze appropriate data to demonstrate the 

suitability and effectiveness of the quality management system and to evaluate where continual 

improvement of the effectiveness of the quality management system can be made. This must include data 

generated as a result of monitoring and measurement and from other relevant sources.
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5.4.2 The analysis of data must provide information relating to:

a) Customer satisfaction (see Clause 5.2.1)

b) Conformity to product requirements (see Clause 5.2.4)

c) Characteristics and trends of processes and products including opportunities for preventive 

action (see Clauses 5.2.3 and 5.2.4)

d) Suppliers (see Clause 4.5)

5.5 Improvement

5.5.1 Continual Improvement

5.5.1.1 The applicant must continually improve the effectiveness of the quality management system 

through the use of the quality policy, quality objectives, audit results, analysis of data, corrective and 

preventive actions, and management review.

5.5.2 Corrective Action

5.5.2.1 The applicant must take action to eliminate the cause(s) of non-conformances in order to 

prevent recurrence. Corrective actions must be appropriate to the effects of the non-conformances 

encountered.

5.5.2.2 A documented procedure must be established to define requirements for:

a) Reviewing non-conformances (including customer complaints)

b) Determining the causes of non-conformances

c) Evaluating the need for action to ensure that non-conformances do not recur

d) Determining and implementing action needed

e) Records of the results of action taken

f) Reviewing the effectiveness of corrective action taken

5.5.3 Preventive Action

5.5.3.1 The applicant must determine action to eliminate the causes of potential non-conformances in 

order to prevent their occurrence. Preventive actions must be appropriate to the effects of the potential 

problems.

5.5.3.2 A documented procedure must be established to define requirements for:

a) Determining potential non-conformances and their causes

b) Evaluating the need for action to prevent occurrence of non-conformances

c) Determining and implementing action needed

d) Records of results of action taken

e) Reviewing the effectiveness of preventive action taken

6. Use of the USDA Process Verified Shield and Statement (Promotional Materials)
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6.1 Information about the use of the USDA Process Verified Program shield and/or statement is 

available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/pvp-shield.

6.2 The applicant must have a defined process to ensure the USDA Process Verified Program shield 

and/or the statement is used appropriately in accordance with this procedure.

6.3 Applicants that use the USDA Process Verified Program shield and/or the statement in 

promotional material must ensure that the shield and/or the statement are used in direct association with a 

clear description of the process verified point(s). Applicants must also ensure that the USDA Process 

Verified Program shield and/or the term are not misrepresented and are not used in association with any 

other applicant claims.

6.4 Applicants that include a company designed logo which displays the term “USDA Process 

Verified” statement on labels or promotional materials must also include the USDA Process Verified 

Program shield and the web address “http://processverified.usda.gov/” on the label and in the promotional 

materials.

6.5 Applicants may not make statements in reference to or in conjunction with the applicants approved 

Process Verified Program, process verified points, or in association with the USDA Process Verified 

Program shield and/or the statement that are disparaging toward other agricultural products and/or other 

sections of the agricultural industry.

6.6 The use of the USDA Process Verified Program shield and/or statement on a label must meet one 

of the following conditions:

a) The process verified points are printed immediately adjacent to the USDA Process Verified 

Program shield and/or statement.

b) An asterisk referring the consumer to the information panel for further information about 

the process verified points is printed with the USDA Process Verified Program shield 

and/or the statement.

c) An asterisk referring the consumer to point of sale information is printed with the USDA 

Process Verified Program shield and/or the statement. In this situation, the applicant must 

ensure that the point of sale information is readily available and within close proximity of 

the display counter containing the product.

6.7 The client may create their own logo and use the term "USDA Process Verified" as long as it 

meets the following design requirements:

a) All logos must include the words “USDA,” “Process,” and “Verified” in their logo.

b) No emphasis is placed on any individual word or letter, except for the word "USDA."

c) The font size must be approximately the same for all three words: "USDA," "Process," and 

"Verified." However, the word "USDA" may be a larger font size than the words 

"Process" and "Verified."
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d) The words "USDA," "Process," and "Verified" must be presented in order as ”USDA 

Process Verified,” when written horizontally, and that the end user understands the 

wording to effectively represent the USDA Process Verified Program.

e) Any words, graphics, marketing terms, and/or label claims directly associated with the 

term must be part of the approved USDA Process Verified Program.

f) The approved design must be used in conjunction with the USDA Process Verifiedshield.

g) The approved design must be submitted electronically to the S&T to be posted on the

Official Listing.

6.8 Promotional materials must include the USDA Process Verified Program web address 

(http://processverified.usda.gov/) in close proximity to either the USDA Process Verified shield or 

process verified points.

6.8 All promotional materials, including labels, packaging, and other marketing materials, must be 

submitted to the S&T for review and approval to ensure the USDA Process Verified Program shield 

and/or the statement and the associated process points are accurately represented.

6.9 The USDA Process Verified Program does not relieve applicants from meeting regulatory 

requirements.
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Appendix A - Definitions

1. Conforming Product – product within the QMS that meets, and can be verified as meeting, the 

product requirements. Such product may be identified and/or labeled as meeting the requirements of 

the USDA Process Verified Program.

2. Corrective Action – action to eliminate the cause of a detected non-conformance.

3. Correction: Action taken to eliminate a detected non-conformity. (rework, bringing product into 

conformance, diverting product, not using product, scrapping product, etc.)

4. Customer Satisfaction – customer’s perception of the degree to which the customer’s requirements 

have been fulfilled.

5. Measurement – the actual determination of a value. Requires the use of a device to determine the 

numerical value of a product characteristic or process parameter at a given time.

6. Monitoring – a general term implying oversight over time. (Examples: normal process observation 

by employees, daily supervision by managers, automated alarms, etc.)

7. Non-conforming Product – product within the QMS that does not meet, or cannot be verified as 

meeting, the product requirements. This includes raw materials and finished products. Nonconforming raw materials must be excluded from use within the program; and non-conforming 

finished products must be excluded from delivery. Additionally, the company must take appropriate 

actions when non-conforming product is detected after delivery or use has started.

8. Objective Evidence – data supporting the existence or verity of something.

9. Planned Arrangements – arrangements that have been pre-determined.

10. Planned Results - includes, but is not limited to, the requirements of this document, the requirements 

outlined in the client's quality management system, and the specified process verified points.

11. Preventative Action – action to eliminate the cause of a potential non-conformance.

12. Procedure – a specified way to carry out an activity or a process. Procedures can be documented or 

not. The Process Verified Program requires 10 documented procedures.

13. Process Verified Points – the specified requirements of the product which are achieved through the 

implementation of a quality management system.

14. Process – a set of interrelated or interacting activities which transforms inputs into outputs.
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Appendix A – Definitions (continued)

15. Product - the result of a process. There are 4 product categories: (a) processed materials (e.g. a raw 

material or finished good); (b) services (e.g. transport); (c) software (e.g. computer programs); and (d) 

hardware (e.g. equipment).

a) A product which is a processed material may change from within a quality management 

system depending upon where it is within the product realization process.

b) A service is the result of at least one activity necessarily performed at the interface 

between the supplier and the customer and is generally intangible.

c) Software consists of information and is generally intangible and can be in the form of 

approaches, transactions, or procedures.

d) Hardware is generally tangible and its amount is a countable characteristic.

16. Product Realization – the process of developing a product from initial acceptance of the raw 

materials into the program through production to delivery to the customer.

17. Product Requirements – includes, but is not limited to, the requirements of this Procedure, the 

requirements outlined in the QMS, the customer requirements, and the specified process verification 

points.

18. Quality Policy – the overall intentions and direction of a company related to quality and formally 

expressed by top management.

19. Quality Objective – something sought, or aimed for, related to quality. These are generally based on 

the quality policy and specified for relevant functions and levels in the company.

20. Record – a document that states results achieved or provides evidence of activities performed. The 

Process Verified Program requires 20 records.

21. Top Management – a person or group of people who direct and control the company at the highest 

level.

22. Validation – confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that the requirements for a 

specific intended use or application have been fulfilled.

23. Verification – confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements 

have been fulfilled.