Quality Standard Mark (QSM) scheme to close

4 October 2021

The Quality Standard Mark (QSM) is an assurance scheme currently funded by AHDB which guarantees consistent eating quality for beef and lamb carrying the Quality Standard Mark.

AHDB has announced it is closing the QSM on 31 March 2022 and will no longer be signing up new members.

The decision to close the QSM comes with a recognition the wider industry has made advances in meat quality for beef and lamb since the Scheme launched in 2004, with retailers, catering butchers and supply chains now developing their own branded and tiered ranges based on the latest available science. 

This has helped drive continuous improvement through the supply chain and generated a better eating experience for consumers. This has been supported by regular quality testing by AHDB.

AHDB remains fully committed to supporting future meat quality for beef and lamb with a focus on building and disseminating the latest science across the beef and lamb sector.

For further information, contact the QSM hotline on: 0845 491 8787