Domestic companies manufacturing products of any origin as well as companies with production sites abroad can apply for the International Quality Seal for their products.
The General Terms and Conditions (formerly "Regulations") of the OQA “Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur Förderung der Qualität” and existing quality guidelines also apply to all products manufactured abroad that seek to acquire the International Quality Seal. This ensures that the Quality Seal for products manufactured both in Austria and abroad is obtained according to the same guidelines.
Accredited Austrian inspection authorities perform the examinations and confirm that the product manufactured abroad complies with Austrian quality guidelines (laws, regulations, etc.).
With the application for awarding of the right to carry the Austria Quality Seal obliges all seal bearers to fulfil all quality criteria of the respective quality guideline and to comply with terms of use as stated in the OQA General Terms and Conditions that define the Austria Quality Seal's conditions of obtainment and usage.
The right to carry the Austria Quality Seal for products is subject to the fulfilment of
Quality criteria that cover all important characteristics of the product.
Specific quality guidelines have been developed for different products. Accredited inspection authorities throughout Austria use these as the basis for quality or energy industry testing.
Criteria for Quality Testing
Testing follows OQA General Terms and Conditions based on the following provisions
- Quality Guidelines
- Standards
- Declaration of Goods
- Statutory Regulations
- Quality Agreements
- Safeguard rules in technology, etc.
The Austria Quality Seal is granted for a fixed period. Accredited or state-licensed testing and inspection authorities will continuously monitor compliance with the guidelines.
According to the OQA's General Terms and Conditions (formerly Regulatory), the Applicant must demonstrate that the Producer Company holds a valid business license in the country in question, with certification by the Diplomatic Mission or Foreign Trade Office.
If the application is submitted by an Austrian distribution company, it must prove its business license in Austria and submit a written order from the producer company for the application for the product in question and provide proof that it is entitled to sell the product in question
The award procedure has 5 steps.
1. Initial Information
The interested party informs the OQA about the nature and scope of their product or operational site for which the use of the Austria Quality Seal would apply. During an informational interview, it is determined whether the quality of the product or operational site is exceptional. OQA distributes the appropriate information and application forms.
2. Application
The interested party submits an application to the OQA. This entails the obligation to allow the inspection bodies to carry out a full-scale inspection and to make available test samples free of charge.
3. Inspection/Evaluation
The applicant organization contacts an approved inspection authority to commission a test.
The applicant commissions an approved testing center for the examination. The test site is considered to be suitable, e.g. accredited testing laboratories as well as civil engineers or legally sworn experts of the subject concerned. This also includes internationally accredited test laboratories according to the international standards of the ISO 17000 series. These, too, must comply with the ÖQA General Terms and Conditions and the Austrian Quality Guidelines and other applicable Austrian standards and regulations.
The inspection authority informs the OQA in writing about a successfully concluded inspection. The inspection report is sent to the client.
4. Conferment
OQA informs the awarded organization in writing about their status as a Quality Seal user and their certificate number. The company receives the certificate.
5. Re-testing
Before status expiration, the company is informed of a re-testing date. The company applies for a re-issuing of the certificate with the OQA and commissions an inspection authority with an inspection. A copy of the application form is submitted with the request for inspection.
Cancellation
Request for cancellation of the right to use the seal must be submitted in writing. Cancellation follows only after six-month notice period submitted before 31 December of every year. The end of the right to use the seal does not automatically mean cancellation. This must be specially applied for because the fees for use would otherwise still continue.
The cost for using the Austria Quality Seal (products and services) or the International Quality Seal consists of
- Costs for the inspection
- Association fees
Costs for Inspection
The applicant bears all costs related to carrying out the inspection. Payment for the inspection is due directly with the inspection authority.
Association fees
Please download PDF with the association fees unter "Downloads".
The right to use the Austria Quality Seal for products is granted by the OQA for a certain period, for a maximum of three years. The duration is determined by the testing laboratory. Renewals must be requested.