On 26 October 2026, revision 15.3 of the “SQNPI – Membership, Management and Control” standard , relating to the National Quality System for Integrated Production (SQNPI), was published.
The main new development concerns the extension of the deadlines for carrying out inspection visits and for uploading the results of the checks , with new deadlines for agricultural producers, processors and packagers.
The update concerns the verification activities envisaged within the SQNPI system, both for the purposes of certifying production and for verifying compliance with agro-environmental-climate commitments (ACA). 
The new deadlines for SQNPI checks
Revision 15.3 establishes the following timelines:
Agricultural producers
December 31, 2026: Deadline for the first inspection or annual inspection.
January 15, 2027: Deadline for uploading ACA and certification results.
Transformers and packagers
January 15, 2027: Deadline for the first inspection or annual inspection.
January 29, 2027: Deadline for uploading certification check results.
Specific deadlines for Puglia and Umbria
The law provides for the possibility of applying different deadlines established by the Regions for ACA compliance checks.
In particular, specific deadlines are foreseen for producers in the following Regions:
| Region | End of inspection visits | Uploading results |
|---|---|---|
| Puglia | November 20, 2026 | December 10, 2026 |
| Umbria | November 20, 2026 | December 21, 2026 |
Interested companies must therefore pay particular attention to the applicable regional provisions, which may provide for deadlines that differ from the general deadlines.
What companies should do
The extension allows for greater time to complete the control and certification activities planned for 2026.
For agricultural companies and agri-food supply chain operators adhering to the SQNPI, it is important to check the applicable deadlines, ensure availability for inspection visits, and keep the documentation required for checks up to date .
The new timeframes concern inspection activities and the recording of their findings, without changing the obligation to comply with the requirements set forth in the integrated production specifications and applicable control plans.
CSQA invites interested operators to read revision 15.3 and to take into account the new deadlines when planning SQNPI certification activities.