The USDA Quality System Assessment (QSA) Program provides companies that supply agricultural products and services the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products or services. It is limited to programs or portions of programs where specified product requirements are supported by a documented quality management system. The specified product requirements may be identified by the company or may be those outlined in a USDA Export Verification (EV) Program.

To operate an approved QSA Program, a company must submit a documented program that meets the program requirements outlined in ARC 1002 Procedure. Additionally, the requirements outlined in ARC Guidance #GU7309CCA and QSA/PVP Live Animal Production Record Requirements must be addressed if applicable to the company's program. ARC Guidance #GU7309CCA addresses supplier documentation, records, evaluations, and re-evaluations. The Live Animal Production Record Requirements applies specifically to programs that include age verification as a specified product requirement.

The following approved USDA QSA Programs have been found in conformance with the requirements of the USDA QSA Program and the criteria of the approved quality management system. Approved QSA Programs that meet specified product requirements outlined in the EV Programs are listed on the Official Listings for the EV Programs.

USDA announces a new USDA QSA Program for marketing beef. The USDA Less than 30 Months (LT30) Age Verification QSA Program for Korea (QSA Program for Korea) facilitates the international trade of U.S. beef and beef products to customers in Korea who request products be derived from animals less than 30 months of age at the time of slaughter. The QSA Program for Korea requirements are outlined in ARC 1035A Procedure and must be supported by a documented quality management system, the requirements of which are defined in ARC 1002 Procedure. The ARC Branch verifies the supplier’s documented quality management system through independent, third party audits in accordance with ARC 1000 Procedure.

The following approved USDA QSA Programs have been found in conformance with the requirements of USDA QSA Program for Korea. Suppliers listed on the Official Listing below have been audited and approved by AMS and are eligible to ship product derived exclusively from animals determined to be less than 30 months of age at the time of slaughter under their approved USDA QSA Program for Korea.

The Audit, Review, and Compliance (ARC) Branch verifies the supplier’s documented quality management system through independent, third party audits in accordance with ARC 1000 Procedures.