Quality policy

Services aimed at minimizing health risks for humans, animals, and plants

The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), a company fully owned by the Republic of Austria, offers a wide variety of services in matters related to the environment, agriculture, veterinary medicine, nutrition, medical devices, and human medicines.The spectrum of services offered ranges from carrying out inspections, performing laboratory analyses, and issuing expert opinions and marketing authorizations through to national and international reference laboratory, research, expert, and education activities. As one of its key responsibilities, AGES performs specialized analyses and risk assessments regarding potential health hazards and develops risk-reduction strategies.The primary focus of AGES is to minimize health risks for humans, animals, and plants and to protect consumers from counterfeit products. As a partner in relevant EU bodies, AGES also actively participates in the advancement of pertinent knowledge at a European level.

Technical expertise, interdisciplinary cooperation, and objectivity–for the benefit of our clients
For AGES, the needs and expectations of its clients–ranging from individual citizens to government authorities and companies–are given top priority. Therefore, AGES constantly strives to develop innovative and practice-oriented solutions.In delivering its services, AGES guarantees high-level technical competence in terms of scientific and legal expertise, economic practice, and meeting consumer expectations. Through their national and international expert activities and regular participation in continued training and education programmes, AGES associates are constantly abreast with the latest requirements in their specific areas of expertise.

One of the main strengths of AGES is that its expert pools entertain close interdisciplinary ties, bringing together experts from diverse specialities covering all relevant areas along the food chain and beyond. In all of its activities, AGES guarantees objectivity by pledging its associates to impartiality and professional integrity.

Profitability through high performance and cost effectivenessAGES has subscribed to the responsible use of resources. Being a public services company, AGES is fully committed to the principles of cost effectiveness and efficiency.

AGES associates–at the very centre of our company
Job satisfaction and targeted continued training and education are the prerequisites for motivating associates to deliver high-quality services. AGES aims at promoting a working environment guided by mutual appreciation, openness, commitment, and responsibility both within our organization and in dealing with our partners.

Process-oriented quality management for continued improvementAGES uses a process-oriented quality management system based on ISO standards 9001, 17020, and 17025. The constant improvement of our process and services quality is based on the review of key data.Vienna,

13 July 2009

Dr. Bernhard Url, Dr. Heinz Frühauf
Directors

Grundsätze der Qualitätspolitik

Grundsätze der Qualitätspolitik der AGES GmbH