QAI Turns to QR Codes for Cert Authenticity

SAN DIEGO Quality Assurance International (QAI), a leading certifier of organic and gluten-free products, has added Quick Response (QR) codes as a new security feature to its certified product certificates. The QR codes will help limit the proliferation of fraudulent certificates, a problem now being addressed by the National Organic Program (NOP)it is illegal to falsely represent products as certified USDA organic and violation is punishable by fines. QAI is the first of the 91 USDA-accredited certifying agencies to utilize QR codes to ensure the authenticity of organic certificates.

QAI includes a unique QR code on each certificate it awards; the code is tied to the certified company and acts similar to how barcodes are used by retailers to track inventory and pricing. Regulators, inspectors, consumers and supply chain members can validate a QAI-issued certificate by using their smart phone to scan the QR code, which will immediately connect to the certifed company's listing and product information on QAI's website.

QAI said products certified by QAI may display their certificate's QR code on the product's labels and packaging, offering consumers additional assurances they are purchasing a legitimately certified organic products.

Utilizing QR code technology will help clients and suppliers provide an additional level of assurance and transparency when it comes to the integrity of QAI certified products, which they in turn can provide to consumers, said Jaclyn Bowen general manager of QAI.