Join the Assurance Certification Scheme (ACS)

The Assurance Certification Scheme (ACS) is a voluntary NParks scheme open to organisations that regularly export plants, cut flowers and plant products.

Under the ACS, members must meet prescribed requirements to undertake export phytosanitary activities on behalf of NParks per international and bilateral requirements on commodities produced within their premises.

How these approved activities are carried out is to be documented in the members' ACS manual.

Refer to the ACS guidelines for more information.

Organisation eligibility

Your organisation must meet all the following requirements to stay in the scheme:

• Maintain satisfactory records for phytosanitary certification with NParks in the preceding 12 months
• Have resources (such as staff, premises, expertise, facilities and equipment) to carry out agreed procedures and consistently meet requirements set by NParks.
• Document in an ACS manual all the management responsibilities, policies, procedures, allocation of responsibilities and record keeping for maintaining the required assurance and standards.
• Have the capabilities to comply with the procedures set out in the ACS manual.
• Have no fewer than 2 NParks certified inspectors to conduct raw material and end-point export inspection.
  • Certified inspectors must have at least 6 months of experience in any operation related to the exported commodity applied for.

Benefits

ACS members are able to:

• Gain NParks’ approval to undertake specific phytosanitary activities.
• Carry out approved phytosanitary activities on their premises (instead of at NParks offices).
• Have the flexibility to carry out phytosanitary activities at any time of day and on any day of the week (instead of being limited to NParks operating hours).
• Minimise various phytosanitary risks in the production of exported commodities.
• Enjoy financial savings in the form of discounted rates for the issue of phytosanitary certificates.

How to apply

Contact us via the online feedback form to state your interest in joining the ACS.