FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2008
Contact: Timothy R. Rugh, CAE
Email: trugh@3-a.org
3-A SSI Obtains Action on Altered 3-A Symbol Authorization
3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSI) announces that agreement was reached with QSM, Inc. to publicly acknowledge the distribution of an improperly modified certificate of 3-A Symbol authorization. In a public announcement posted on the company web site on March 24, QSM, Inc. of Easley, SC stated, “We would like to make you aware that the check valves we are currently marketing hold the 3-A Symbol authorization of our manufacturer; QSM, Inc. is not the holder of the 3-A Symbol authorization. We have provided the 3-A Symbol certificate identifying QSM, Inc. as the certificate holder, however, this is not the case. Please be aware that the certification is held by our manufacturer.”
3-A SSI issues certificates of 3-A Symbol authorization to licensees that agree to meet specific conditions for use of the 3-A Symbol. Voluntary use of the 3-A Symbol on dairy and food equipment assures processors that equipment meets sanitary standards, provides accepted criteria to equipment manufacturers for sanitary design, and establishes guidelines for uniform evaluation and compliance by sanitarians.
“We believe the QSM, Inc. statement will help remedy any confusion about proper 3-A Symbol authorization among regulatory authorities, users of this equipment or fabricators,” according to 3-A SSI Executive Director Timothy Rugh. “Anyone can verify a current licensee from our web site, and we welcome inquiries about any entity that claims 3-A Symbol authorization,” he said.
3-A SSI maintains a list of 3-A Symbol holders on the 3-A SSI web site at http://www.3-a.org/symbol/holders.htm. The public list is available to assist fabricators, processors, regulatory sanitarians and other interested parties identify the type of equipment and the suppliers that hold a current 3-A Symbol authorization and license. 3-A SSI also maintains a list of discontinued licensees.
QSM, Inc. has agreed to maintain a complete copy of the statement on its web site for a period of 30 days at www.tru-flo.com/index2.htm. A copy of the QSM, Inc statement may also be viewed on the 3-A SSI web site under News & Events.
Click here to view the QSM, Inc. Statement
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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.