Level 1 Gold System Status

AQIS is responsible for reducing the risk of exotic pests or diseases entering the country that may harm Australia’s unique environment, agricultural and horticultural industries.

To assist the fertiliser industry comply with Australia’s strict import requirements, AQIS and the Fertilizer Industry Federation of Australia (FIFA) have developed a set of standards that will streamline quarantine inspection processes and requirements. To acknowledge industry best practice systems, AQIS is launching the new Level 1 Gold System Status for companies that are assessed by AQIS as meeting the new criteria.

Level 1 Gold System Status Supplier

Companies that achieve the Level 1 Gold System Status will:

• receive formal recognition of their best practice systems and processes
• only be audited by AQIS every six years
• have lower operational costs due to the reduction of AQIS audits.

AQIS will assess Level 1 supply chains in consultation with the FIFA Import Logistics Committee to determine suitable candidates for Level 1 Gold System Status.

The criteria for assessment are:

• close proximity of manufacture to the load port (e.g. same location) to reduce the risk of contamination during transport

and either:

• maintain Level 1 System Status for three years with two successful AQIS audits
  
  or
  
• maintain Level 1 System Status for six years through independent third party audits (for locations where AQIS is unable to attend).

The other available risk management strategies are:

Level 1: Low Risk Consignment

The benefits for achieving the Level 1 standard are:

• Minimal intervention by AQIS at the border
• On arrival, the cargo hold does not need to be inspected therefore the discharge of goods can commence at any time of the day or night.

To achieve Level 1, companies must implement AQIS recognised contamination management strategies across their supply chain, from the point of manufacture through to and including the vessel’s voyage.

Level 1 requirements are:

• an AQIS audit of the manufacturer, or load port, every three years, involving desk and site audits
• an annual third party audit of the manufacturer, or load port
• the manufacturer’s declaration for each consignment confirming the manufacturing processes, transport operations, storage facilities and wharf operations have not changed since AQIS’s last audit
• that each consignment includes a sample analysis certificate for organic contamination
• that each consignment includes a vessel cleanliness certificate
• that each consignment includes a vessel survey inspection report and treatment order issued at the load-port
• confirmation the vessel has either never carried an actionable cargo since new, has achieved AQIS empty hold (Level 1) certification or has been issued with a loading permit (EX154) for prescribed goods/grains by an authorised AQIS officer under the Export Control Act 1982 and the Grain Plant and Plant Product Orders
• that the vessel takes a direct route to Australia and must not include any cargo activity between the port of loading and port of arrival in Australia.

Level 2: Medium Risk Consignment

The inspection process for Level 2:

• medium level of intervention at the border
• the vessel’s hold requires inspection
• inspections must occur during daylight hours
• discharge cannot commence until holds have passed inspection.

To achieve Level 2:

• an AQIS audit of the manufacturer, or load port, every three years, involving desk and site audits
• manufacturer declaration provided for each consignment , including product, tonnage and supply chain details
• confirmation the vessel has not carried actionable cargo within the last six voyages.

Level 3: High Risk Consignment

Companies are given Level 3 status if they:

• do not provide sufficient evidence of contamination control for one or more stages of their supply chain
• have not been audited by AQIS
• the vessel has carried actionable cargo within the last six voyages.

On arrival at an Australian port a high level of AQIS intervention is required. The inspection process includes:

• initial inspection of all holds
• inspections must occur during daylight hours
• discharge cannot commence until holds have passed inspection
• if the consignment does not pass initial inspection, AQIS may refuse discharge
• all landed fertiliser requires an additional inspection at a Quarantine Approved Premises.

For more information you can download AQIS’s Imported Bulk Cargo Fertiliser Inspection Protocols or to learn more about the requirements for importing fertiliser into Australia visit AQIS’s Import Conditions Database (ICON).