Focus on

SGS has two of the first group of qualified auditors worldwide for the Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS) program of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).

Excellence Through Stewardship is the first industry-coordinated program to provide stewardship and quality management programs for the entire life-cycle of biotech plants. The program is intended to promote the responsible use of agricultural biotechnology, the continued global adoption of plant biotechnology and the enhanced value of biotech-derived plant products in the marketplace.

A key component of this program is the requirement for independent third party audits of the companies’ Quality Management Systems and Stewardship programs to ensure compliance with ETS objectives and management practices. The audits are conducted in phases with initial audits done in the United States of the completed Quality Management System from gene discovery through Breeder seed. The second phase will involve audits of the global operations for all phases of the product life-cycle. The audits will focus on areas such as management support, measureable quality objectives and standards, document and material control systems, compliance with regulations, continuous improvement process mechanisms and the stewardship program itself.

SGS contacts for agricultural biotechnology audit services:

Larry Prentice
SGS-Mid-West Seed Services
236 32nd Ave,
Brookings, SD 57006
t: 877-692-7611
f: 605-692-7617
Email

Gary Schulze
SGS Alvey Ag Reseach
19300 Marydale Road
Carlyle, IL  62231
t: 618-594-7645
f: 618-594-7648
Email

The SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With more than 53,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world.