The Certification Process

1.   WHAT IS  SIKS  KOSHER  CERTIFICATION ?

 The SIKS symbol on your products and labels indicates that their Kosher status is being monitored by an independent staff of the SERVICES INTERNATIONAL KOSHER SUPERVISION Ltd. The symbol is recognized by the consumer as an indication that your products meet the highest standards of strict kosher supervision.

2.   THE  APPLICATION.

 Description of your Company and its operation. The more information we receive the more efficiently and effectively we can process your application. The Application includes:

                                                1st. COMPANY  PROFILE

 With you the primary Kosher Certification Agreement is signed. Please let us know with whom we need to communicate. Describe your  objectives, needs and goals.

                                                2nd. PLANT  PROFILE

 The maintenance of a Kosher program requires the close involvement of people in charge of production. Give us the names of the production manager and those involved in ordering and receiving raw materials as well as the designers of the packaging materials. Facts about the products needing kosher certification and if they are produced at more than one facility. We need to know about each production site. Please complete a Plant Profile for each.

                                                3rd. PLANT  RAW  MATERIAL  LIST

 If a product is to be considered kosher, obviously its ingredients and raw materials need  to be kosher as well. Kosher sensitive materials may be approved from specific sources only. Please state the manufacturer for each item (the broker or distributor may not be adequate). Other factors in the factory may effect the kosher status of the product. Are release agents kosher? Are other products on the same processing line kosher? What about other lines? Therefore, please provide a complete raw material list for each facility. Mark with an (*) those ingredients not associated with kosher production. Any Kosher Certificates you have available for the raw materials.

                                               4th. PRODUCT  APPROVAL  REQUEST

 Tell us about the products for kosher supervision and certification. Do you wish to have the product designated dairy, meat , pareve (neutral) or for Passover. The ingredient component list will help determine if the product can be designated kosher. We’ll need the brand names. For Private Labels (Your company’s name does not appear on the label). Please provide us with the distributors name and particulars.

  3.   INITIAL  INSPECTION  AND  EVALUATION

 Prior to a satisfactory review of your application, your factory will need to be reviewed by a representative of our Company. The SIKS will pre-invoice your company for the costs for this inspection. His report will be reviewed by our Kashruth  Administrator .who will give his approval on the findings of the inspector at the factory site.

4.  THE  CONTRACT

SIKS Kosher Supervision is a sort of partnership between itself and the manufacturer or servicer to provide kosher products for the kosher consumer. As in any compatible partnership, a written agreement outlining the terms and provisions of the partners is essential. The contract is a list of standard clauses, certification fees and specific clauses catering to special needs or requirements or situations pertaining to your company’s kosher program. The contract also includes two important Schedules:

                                                1st. SCHEDULE  A

 Schedule A is a list of approved ingredients used in your factory. Generally this schedule is composed  of all raw materials maintained in the factory. In some circumstances where non-kosher materials are used an alternative kosher  material must be found. Otherwise  it cannot comprise a part of the kosher status of  the certified products.

                                                2nd. SCHEDULE  B

 Schedule B is the list of completed certified brands and products with their designations. SIKS Parve for (neutral), SIKS (D) for Dairy and  Kosher for Passover. This document will be reflected in the SIKS Kosher Certificate.

5.   RE-INSPECTION  and  CERTIFICATION.

 Upon completion of the signed contract and payment of certification fees, the SIKS designated Kashruth  Administrator will review compliance with the signed agreement. The SIKS will then issue its Kosher Certificate, and Kosher production may commence. Your company’s certification will be transferred from the New Company Department to an officially designated Rabbinic Coordinator on our staff. Your company will be reviewed periodically by the Rabbinic Administrator.

6.   OUR  COMMITMENT.

We at the SIKS are committed to servicing the Kosher Industry in a timely, efficient and professional manner. We appreciate your comments and welcome any questions.

**  Note  that  Fish  is  Kosher  only  when  it  has both  fins   and  scales  that  are  detachable  from the  skin.  Shellfish  and  crustaceans  are not  considered  Kosher.