You can apply for approval as a classification company online or by post to the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE).

Apply for approval online:

• Call up the online application in the federal portal. This will guide you step by step through the necessary information.
• Upload the required documents and submit the application online. Alternatively, you can print out the completed online application and send it to the BLE by post with the required documents.
• The BLE will check your application documents and contact you if anything is unclear or information is missing.
• If the documents and information are complete, you will receive a provisional approval notice.
• The BLE will arrange for an on-site inspection at your classification company (office audit) and inspections at the slaughterhouses (witness audits) where your classification company operates.
• If no deficiencies are found during these inspections, you will receive a final approval notice valid for 5 years.
• You will also receive a fee notice.
• You pay the fee.

Apply for approval by post:

• First apply for the application form. You can do this informally by sending an e-mail or a letter to the BLE's Department 524.
• Complete the application form you receive.
• Send the completed and signed application form with the required documents by post to the BLE.
• The BLE will check your application documents and contact you if anything is unclear or information is missing.
• If the documents and information are complete, you will receive a provisional approval notice.
• The BLE will arrange for an on-site inspection at your classification company (office audit) and inspections at the slaughterhouses (witness audits) where your classification company operates.
• If no deficiencies are found during these inspections, you will receive a final approval notice valid for 5 years.
• You will also receive a fee notice.
• You pay the fee.