Feed assurance guide · Sources checked October 2026
FEMAS audit checklist and requirements
A FEMAS audit checklist lists what a feed ingredient business should have ready before its certification body audits it against the FEMAS Standard 2024, the Agricultural Industries Confederation’s (AIC) assurance scheme for feed materials and additives: a HACCP study reviewed at least every 12 months, controlled documents, records kept for at least three years, risk-assessed raw materials and suppliers, and recall and traceability tests at least every 12 months. Routine FEMAS audits are annual and certificates last three years.
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FEMAS requirements: how the scheme works
Who runs FEMAS, who certifies it and how audits run
From AIC’s FEMAS page and the FEMAS 2024 Scheme Rules. Clause numbers are given so you can check the wording yourself.
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Point | What AIC’s FEMAS documents say (paraphrased) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A voluntary scheme developed, owned and run by AIC to certify animal feed ingredients, based on HACCP principles. It is a product certification scheme delivered by a certification body accredited to ISO/IEC 17065 | FEMAS 2024 Scheme Rules, rules 1.1 to 1.3, checked October 2026 |
| Who certifies | AIC’s FEMAS page says Kiwa Agri Food certifies FEMAS on AIC’s behalf. The rules let a participant choose an approved Inspection Body for the on-site audit instead | AIC: FEMAS and Scheme Rules, rule 1.5, checked October 2026 |
| Who it is for | Businesses that merchant assured feed ingredients, act as a gatekeeper for feed materials and additives from non-assured suppliers, produce feed ingredients, store, process or pack feed, or transport their own feed | FEMAS 2024 Scheme Rules, rule 1.4, checked October 2026 |
| Audit scope | Everything that can affect the safety and specification of the feed supplied, from raw material sourcing and supplier approval to the point the feed passes to a third party, including transport, processing, storage and off-site activities | FEMAS 2024 Scheme Rules, section 2, checked October 2026 |
| Current standard | FEMAS Standard 2024, Version 1, in force from 1 October 2024. AIC’s scheme page also refers to a joint development of the FEMAS, UFAS and TASCC standards, with implementation in 2027 | AIC: FEMAS, checked October 2026 |
| Audit frequency | A routine audit every year; at least one short-notice audit in each three-year certificate period, with notice the working day before; random unannounced audits; and extra audits at the certification body’s discretion. Certificates are valid for three years | FEMAS 2024 Scheme Rules, rules 10.1 and 11.1, checked October 2026 |
| Before the audit | Documents such as the organisation chart, site plan, HACCP flow chart, risk assessment and HACCP review, evidence of registration or approval, a list of feeds and example specifications go to the certification body in advance: uploaded to the AIC Portal at least 15 calendar days before, shared in a pre-audit session, or reviewed in a longer on-site audit | FEMAS 2024 Scheme Rules, rule 11.3, checked October 2026 |
| Non-conformances | Graded critical, major or minor. After a routine audit, a corrective action plan is due within 15 calendar days for a major and 30 for a minor, with completion typically within 60 days. A critical suspends certification at once | FEMAS 2024 Scheme Rules, rules 11.6 and 11.7, checked October 2026 |
Sources checked October 2026. Scheme standards and legislation change: open the linked source before relying on any row. This page is general information, not legal advice, and it cannot tell you whether you will pass an audit: your certification body decides conformity, and your local authority enforces feed law.
FEMAS audit preparation
FEMAS audit checklist: a preparation list by section
A preparation aid, not the official checklist. This is our reading of the FEMAS 2024 section headings, to help you prepare. AIC publishes its own FEMAS 2024 Standard Checklist: use that for the official wording. Only your certification body decides whether you conform.
Source: FEMAS Scheme Rules and Standard 2024, checked October 2026. For the legal record-keeping baseline, read feed hygiene record keeping requirements.
- Scheme and law: current scheme documents to hand, and registration or approval with your local authority in place (Section A, A1).
- Management: a policy statement and a management review, each at least every 12 months, and an organisation chart (A2.1.2, A2.6, A3).
- HACCP: a HACCP study with hazards, control points, critical limits, monitoring and corrective action, reviewed at least every 12 months or sooner after a change or incident (B1, B1.16).
- Documents: clear title and purpose, dated, only current versions in use, and changed only by designated people (B2).
- Records: legible, showing what was done, when and by whom, with changes that leave the original readable, kept for at least three years (B3, B3.5).
- Internal audit: every relevant activity audited at least once every 12 months, with findings and corrective action recorded (B4.2, B4.3).
- Raw materials and suppliers: a named, competent person, and a documented risk assessment for each raw material and supplier before use (C1.1 to C1.3).
- Merchanting and gatekeeping: approval of feeds and suppliers, and the gatekeeping controls if you use them (Section D).
- Contracted services: processors, hauliers and third-party stores selected and approved (Section E).
- Premises and people: premises, training, non-conforming material, pest management and calibration of monitoring devices (Section G).
- Sampling and analysis: a sampling schedule, retained samples and evaluated results (Section I).
- Complaints and recall: complaints and incidents handled, and a recall or withdrawal test at least every 12 months (J1 to J3, J3.6).
- Traceability: traceability records, segregation, and a traceability exercise at least every 12 months (K2 to K4, K4.1).
FEMAS audit preparation: worked example (fictional)
Preparing for a routine FEMAS audit
A fictional business, for illustration only. It is not advice on what your certification needs, and following it does not mean you will pass.
1
Confirm the scope
Example Co-Products Ltd, a fictional distillery supplying draff as a feed material, checks that every feed it supplies is either in its certification scope or agreed as excluded.
2
Send documents early
Three weeks before the audit date, the quality lead uploads the organisation chart, site plan, HACCP flow chart and review, registration evidence, feed list and example specifications.
3
Run the internal audit
A colleague audits each section against the preparation list above and records what was checked, what was found and who will fix it.
4
Test recall and traceability
The team traces one recent load from raw material to customer and back, times it, and records the result and any gaps.
5
Close the gaps
Each gap gets an owner and a date. The HACCP team reviews the study because a new dryer was installed this year.
Related guides
Where to read next
FEMAS is one of three AIC trade assurance schemes.
See UFAS vs FEMAS vs TASCC to check which scheme fits your activities, the UFAS audit checklist for compound feed and merchants, and feed hygiene record keeping requirements.
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FAQ
Common questions
How often are FEMAS audits?
The FEMAS 2024 Scheme Rules set a routine audit every year, at least one short-notice audit in each three-year certificate period, random unannounced audits, and extra audits at the certification body’s discretion.
Who certifies FEMAS?
AIC’s FEMAS page says Kiwa Agri Food certifies FEMAS on AIC’s behalf. The scheme rules allow a participant to choose an approved Inspection Body for the on-site audit.
Is this the official FEMAS checklist?
No. It is a preparation aid based on the section headings of the standard. AIC publishes its own FEMAS 2024 Standard Checklist, and only the certification body decides whether you conform.
How long must FEMAS records be kept?
Clause B3.5 of the FEMAS 2024 Standard says relevant records are kept for at least three years. It notes that legislation or customers may require longer.
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