Frequent questions about the AOECS Standard

If you have a question regarding the AOECS Standard, you may find the answer amongst these frequently asked questions. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact [email protected] for more information.

Where can I obtain a copy of the AOECS Standard?

You can obtain a copy of the AOECS Standard for Gluten Free Foods here. If you need it translated it into your national language, please contact with the relevant National Coeliac Society.

Require the AOECS Standard

Which is the limit of gluten content established by the Standard?

All licenced products shall not exceed 20 mg/kg in total, based on the food as sold or distributed to the consumer.

We are a Certification Body interested in perform audits against the AOECS Standard. What should we do to do it?

You have to contact with the National Coeliac Society of your country to obtain all information to be an authorized CB to perform audits against the AOECS Standard.

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Which audits are accepted by the AOECS to obtain a CGT licence?

Food Business Operators interested in becoming CGT license-holder can get their production sites audited using one of the following alternatives: 

  • The AOECS Standard with a stand-alone audit conducted by an approved Certification Body or individual auditor.
  • The AOECS Gluten-Free Addendum, alongside a food safety audit conducted against one of the GFSI benchmarked standards.
  • The AOECS-GFCP Programme, which is a gluten-free audit against the BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification Standard but taking into consideration the AOECS Position Paper.

What is the difference between the AOECS Position Paper and the AOECS Standard?

The AOECS Standard is the standard itself. Complete with all requirements.
The AOECS Position Paper is the document developed between AOECS and BRCGS to be used by auditors during Gluten Free Certification Program audits. It includes all details related to the AOECS Standard that auditors should consider to be able to accept this audit to obtain a CGT licence with any NCS. If any licence holder is interested in take its annual audit by this alternative, the Position Paper must be used.

Does the AOECS accept internal gluten analysis?

The analytical certification of the product as sold or distributed to the consumer shall be sent to the relevant National Coeliac Society at least once a year. This analysis shall be made by an accredited and independent laboratory, which has obtained ISO 17025 accreditation from a competent authority.

I am a producer which manufacture its own gluten free products (under my own brand) but I manufacture gluten free products for private label too. Can I apply for a CGT for all products that I manufacture?

No. You only can apply for a CGT licence for your own brand gluten free products. To do so, you must contact with the National Coeliac Society in which your brand headquarter is based.
Your clients (private brand) must apply for its own licence by following the recommendation above.

Can gluten free beer be licenced with the CGT?

Gluten free beer, made from cereals free of gluten or made from cereals containing gluten, can be licenced with the CGT if the final product demonstrate that the gluten content does not exceed 20 mg/kg of gluten.
Like any licenced product, they have to meet all requirements of the AOECS Standard for Gluten Free Foods.

My company (production site) is certified against FSSC 22000. There is any option available to obtain a CGT licence with it?

Yes. As FSSC 22000 is a GFSI Benchmarked Food Safety Standard, you can apply for a CGT licence by using the AOECS Gluten-Free Addendum in combination with your annual audit to maintain your FSSC 22000 certification.

This option will help to avoid unnecessary duplication and costs.

If you are interested in taking this option, please contact with the National Coeliac Society of your country. Besides, your certification body has to contact with the National Coeliac Society as well to get all the information to use the AOECS Gluten Free Addendum before the audit. 

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Do the AOECS still accept stand-alone audits carried out as per AOECS addendum?

At this moment, there are three options to do the audit against the AOECS Standard:

  • The AOECS Standard with a stand-alone audit conducted by an approved Certification Body or individual auditor,
  • The AOECS Gluten-Free Addendum, alongside a food safety audit conducted against one of the GFSI benchmarked standards,
  • The AOECS-GFCP Programme, which is a gluten-free audit against the BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification Standard but taking into consideration the AOECS Position Paper.

The AOECS Gluten Free Addendum, is only valid if it is used against a GFSI benchmarked standard (BRC, IFS, etc).

Remember, you always have to sign a licence contract with your National Coeliac Society and finish the whole licensing process before you start using the Crossed Grain Trademark on your packages.

All the ingredients that I use to manufacture my gluten free products are analysed. Should I still analyse the final product?

Yes. The analytical certification of the product as sold or distributed to the consumer shall be sent to the relevant National Coeliac Society at least once a year.

With what frequency must audits be done agains the AOECS Standard?

Audits against the AOECS Standard must take place annually, at every production site.

Has the EU Regulation no. 828/2014 any effect on the Crossed Grain Trademark?

As it is mandatory in the EU, the AOECS Standard must be in compliance with it. Any food products licenced with the Crossed Grain Trademark must comply with the AOECS Standard plus any EU/national regulations.