News and Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 21, 2007

Contact: Timothy R. Rugh, CAE
Executive Director
trugh@3-a.org

3-A Symbol Program Attains New Stature in Dynamic Year

McLEAN, Virginia - Independent inspections completed this year for the vast majority of all equipment holding authorization to use the 3-A Symbol have brought new stature and recognition to the 3-A Symbol program, according to 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. in a new report on key accomplishments in 2006-2007. At the end of 2006, more than 450 independent Third Party Verification (TPV) inspections had been completed for dairy and milk products processing equipment fabricated at sites in the U.S. and 19 countries around the world, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Thailand. According to 3-A SSI Chair Greg Marconnet (Kraft Foods), “The TPV program is very significant for everyone concerned with 3-A Sanitary Standards because virtually all licensees shown on the current list of 3-A Symbol holders have now obtained the inspection required by 3-A SSI to maintain their authorization.” The latest lists showing current 3-A Symbol authorizations and discontinued licensees are on the 3-A SSI web site at www.3-a.org under ‘The 3-A Symbol and Third Party Verification’.

Other key achievements described in the report include the following:

• 3-A SSI Launches Major Expansion of Sanitary Design Resources – New ‘white papers’ on sanitary design, links to key education resources, and sponsored links for providers of hygienic equipment, supplies and services established a comprehensive a new Technical Resource Center on the 3-A SSI web site.
  
• 3-A SSI Supports Equipment Inspection Professionals – Technical assistance and policy guidance on the interpretation of 3-A Sanitary Standards were provided to the independent equipment inspection professionals credentialed by 3-A SSI, Certified Conformance Evaluators.
  
• 3-A SSI Stakeholders Employ New Consensus Process – A new process was implemented to maximize the efficiency and the rigor of standards development.
  
• 3-A SSI Outreach – 3-A SSI increased its participation in leading industry shows and exhibitions.
  
• New P3-A Standards Balloted – Three new Pharmaceutical 3-A Standards for pumps, materials, and terminology were balloted in late 2006.

The complete report is available on the 3-A SSI web site under News & Events, or follow the link to: 2007 Annual Report (PDF).

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3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to enhance product safety for consumers of food, beverages, and pharmaceutical products through the development and use of 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices. Visit the 3-A SSI web site at www.3-a.org.