General Requirements

3-A SSI offers two voluntary certificate programs for equipment that is not otherwise eligible for 3-A Symbol authorization.  In both of these programs, 3-A SSI provides a certificate only, including on-line access to this certificate information. These voluntary certificate programs include:

Replacement Parts and System Component Qualification Certificate Program

Participation in the 3-A SSI Replacement Parts and System Component Qualification Certificate (RPSCQC) Program is open to manufacturers of replacement parts or system components.  The RPSCQC is beneficial to certificate holders and customers because it affirms that such parts or system components are compatible with the design criteria found in the relevant 3-A Sanitary Standard(s).  The RPSCQC is often used use in sales or marketing information.

To obtain the Certificate, the applicant must submit a Third Party Verification (TPV) inspection for the replacement part(s) or system component(s) to be listed on the Certificate. The Certificate cannot be used for equipment covered by its own 3-A Sanitary Standard or 3-A Accepted Practice. The TPV is based on the most stringent criteria available in a relevant base 3-A Sanitary Standard or 3-A Accepted Practice. Certificate holders are subject to the same re-inspection requirements as holders of 3-A Symbol Authorization.

Applicants for a RPSCQC must submit an application, including all required supporting information and payment, to 3-A SSI. A company executive is required to sign the application and the 3-A RPSCQC Program Agreement.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) which hold a 3-A Symbol authorization or complete systems manufacturing/installation firms need not participate in this program. OEMs which have been granted a 3-A Symbol Authorization are considered as having met the requirements of this program for all associated replacement parts.   Complete systems manufacturing/installation firms should not participate in the 3-A Process Certificate Program.

See complete details on the requirements for the RPSCQC program and a link to the on-line application form.

3-A Process Certificate Program

This program is intended for use by applicants that utilize a process conforming to the design, installation, or use criteria of a 3-A Accepted Practice.  Applicants are limited to processors of food products and to complete system design and installation firms or distributor/installer for such complete system utilizing the applicable 3-A Accepted Practice.

Systems covered by the 3-A Accepted Practice for the Sanitary Construction, Installation, Testing, and Operation of High-Temperature Short-Time and Higher-Heat Shorter-Time Pasteurizer Systems, Number 603- are not eligible for this program.

Fabricators of components of the eligible 3-A Accepted Practice systems may apply for certification under the 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. Replacement Parts and Systems Components Qualification Certificate Program.  They are not eligible under the 3-A Process Certification (PC) Program, as they do not fabricate complete systems.

To obtain the Certificate, the applicant must submit a Third Party Verification (TPV) inspection for the 3-A Accepted Practice on the basis of an on-site detailed physical evaluation of an operating system in a processing facility or by reviewing the EDTCF and inspecting available components at a system design and installation firm, utilizing the particular 3-A Accepted Practice(s) for which the applicant has requested a 3-A PC. The TPV inspection shall confirm that all details of the 3-A Accepted Practice are in conformance.

See complete details on the requirements for the 3-A PC program and a link to the on-line application form.