SQAS is an integrated second party audit scheme designed by the European Chemical Industry (CEFIC).  It covers all components of transportation of chemicals, including: road haulage, rail transport, barges (as a complementary service next to CID), tank container handling (train, boat, barge and road) and integrated logistics services.

Certification to SQAS offers a license to operate for transport and logistics companies working with CEFIC member companies. It integrates safety, quality and also environmental aspects.  SQAS contains a two parts questionnaire, a core part for an interview with the management and a specific part to evaluate site operations.  Logistic service providers wishing to work with a CEFIC member should be audited by an approved SQAS auditor.  The CEFIC member decides, on the basis of the report, whether or not the logistic contractor satisfies its own criteria.

The core SQAS questionnaire includes seven areas:

1.      Management
2.      Safety, health and environment
3.      Quality
4.      Equipment
5.      Operations
6.      Security
7.      Site inspections

In addition, there are segment-specific questions e.g. road haulage.

SQAS is mandated for transport companies working with CEFIC member companies. Transport companies must be audited by an approved SQAS auditor at least once every three years.  Sub-contractor logistics companies must also be audited.

By seeking certification to SQAS clients receive an effective vendor appraisal tool allowing safety, quality and environment, benchmarking of logistic service providers.  It can also form part of a due diligence defence in court in case of accidents and can be tailored to needs and integrate issues other than safety.  It can also avoid duplication of second party audits to your site.

Bureau Veritas Certification can immediately provide a tailor-made proposal for SCC certification that is adapted to your needs and requirements.  Thanks to its extensive network Bureau Veritas Certification can deliver SCC and related services on a world-wide scale (140 countries) always maintaining the same level of quality.