Product Quality Assurance

Quality assurance of products is one of the most central areas of the System's purchase process.

Systembolaget's purchases is based on the quality of the products making the producer of the winning sample to produce the same quality and sensory characteristics during the launch time.

The quality assurance process starts with the quote of the winner, the product that has received the highest score after blind tasting, and

had the highest internal priority.

When published, all tenders will be divided into three categories (A-C). Products in category A will be submitted to the most extensive quality

assurance process and products in category B and C will also be submitted but to a lesser extent.

Extra offer samples (for tender request marked with category "A")

As a producer of the winning sample for those tenders which are "A-classified" at fixed launches, you must be prepared to submit additional

"Extra offer samples" within 4 working days from the date the results communicated in order to be considered for purchase.

Those "Extra offer samples" will be used for the various control points at the later stage.

Chemical analysis:

The winning sample the is undergoing chemical analysis where the outcome is used as a reference in case of any abnormalities later in the process.

Launch samples:

Latest 10 weeks before Launch, you have to submit full-dressed Launch Samples. Those samples will undergo a so called triangeltest to ensure that the product has the same sensorical characteristics as the Offer sample. If the deviation is detected,a new chemical analysis is done to ensure that Offer sample is consistent with Launch sample chemical results.
For tender request marked with category "A" the aditional chemical analysis is mandatory.

If the deviation is essntial and larger than tolerable winning bid will be whithdrawn or refused, in which case the second offer sample in the tasting is offered the spot instead. This s not common but but it does happen.

The Launch samples shall be submitted to Label Apply Control in the customary manner in order to meet all criteria for labelling against the existing laws, rules and specific requirements in the quotation request specified for the tender.

All launches will be checked on the regular basis during the launching period.