The Federal Office for Consumer Health (BAVG) understands the term "quality schemes" to mean quality claims such as geographical indications of spirit drinks (GI) and traditional specialities guaranteed (TSG) and the approval of non-organic ingredients of agricultural origin.

In the EU, certain foods, spirits and wines are protected against imitation and misuse by quality claims. The BAVG is the competent national authority for processing applications for geographical indications for spirit drinks (GI) and traditional specialities guaranteed (TSG). In order to be registered as a GI or TSG, a product must be of a certain quality and have a close link to its region of origin.

The production of processed organic food is based on the use of organic ingredients of agricultural origin. Under certain conditions, a maximum of 5 per cent of the ingredients in organic products may come from non-organic agriculture if they are not available in organic quality. However, these ingredients must be tested by the BAVG according to strict criteria before they can be granted temporary authorisation for six months.