UNI , in collaboration with Accredia , published UNI/PdR 202:2026 “Rules and requirements for the certification of traceability in agri-food supply chains in accordance with UNI EN ISO 22005:2008” on 24 September 2026. The document can be downloaded free of charge.The Practice was developed by the UNI Table "Certification of Traceability in Agri-Food Supply Chains", in which CSQA also participated.
The practice defines the additional requirements applicable to the UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012 standard for the issuing of accredited certifications of agri-food traceability according to UNI EN ISO 22005:2008 .
The document cancels and replaces the ACCREDIA Technical Regulation RT-17 , becoming the new single reference for accredited Certification Bodies (CBs).
The goal is to clarify and standardize the criteria used to evaluate and certify traceability systems, allowing certified organizations to demonstrate their commitment to product quality and traceability through an effective control system, thus contributing to consumer trust and market transparency.
The Practice highlights the relevance of this approach for agri-food and feed operators and for distribution chains.
What the traceability system should define
One of the central aspects of UNI/PdR 202 is the precise identification of the elements that characterize the certified system.In relation to the objectives established by the company, the system must systematically document the raw materials, products and services used in the cultivation, breeding, processing, distribution and logistics activities included in the certification scope.
In particular, the product, Minimum Traceable Unit (MRU), objectives, traceable elements, scope and depth of the system, as well as the organizations involved in the case of supply chain traceability, must be clearly identified.
The Practice leaves the requesting organization the freedom to define the depth, scope, and elements of the system in line with its objectives; it is then up to the Certification Body to verify their consistency.
More attention to controls along the supply chain
For supply chain systems, each organization involved must formally commit to complying with the agreed-upon procedures through a supply chain agreement.The supply chain manager has a central role : he or she must verify the agreements with participating operators and ensure checks on the various phases of the supply chain at scheduled intervals.
The sampling of operators to be inspected must be determined through a risk assessment, considering, among other factors, the objectives and traceable elements, the results of traceability tests and mass balances, any non-conformities and complaints. This analysis must be reevaluated annually.
Traceability tests and mass balances
The checks carried out by the Certification Body are also of particular importance.During initial and surveillance audits, the CB must verify the system's compliance with UNI EN ISO 22005:2008 and perform and record a traceability test and a mass balance.
It must also ensure that the organization uses mass balances correctly and effectively as a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the system.
UNI/PdR also establishes specific criteria for determining the number of sites to be audited , both in the initial certification phase and in subsequent surveillance activities.
Certificates and market communication
The new Practice also addresses the formulation of the certification scope, which must provide precise information on the product or component concerned, the objectives, the depth and scope of the system, the tracked elements, and the UMR.A particularly important aspect for companies concerns communication .
For example, if primary production is excluded from the certified system, expressions that could suggest that stages such as breeding, field, or farm fall within the certified scope cannot be used in the certificate or in commercial communications.
For declarations relating to geographical origin , primary production must instead be included in the system, unless specific official guarantees are present.
The Practice also specifies that the certificate cannot contain declarations that are not part of the certification scheme and therefore not subject to the evaluation of the CB: examples cited include DOP, IGP, TSG and the organic farming declaration.
Why it is important for agri-food companies
UNI/PdR 202:2026 contributes to creating a more uniform framework for accredited traceability certification , clarifying what is actually certified, what information must be checked and how the supply chain must be verified.For companies, having a traceability system certified according to UNI EN ISO 22005:2008 and the new UNI/PdR 202 regulations can therefore represent a tool for strengthening supply chain transparency, making product-related information verifiable , and communicating the scope and objectives of the traceability system more clearly to the market.
The new practice is of particular interest to agricultural companies, processing companies, feed industry operators, logistics and distribution companies, and lead supply chain organizations that adopt or intend to adopt certified traceability systems.