General information

The main objects of AFMA are to promote the development of the animal feeds industry in South Africa, and to enhance and support a sustainable industry that acts responsibly within the food chain.

AFMA is achieving these objectives with the support of all member companies and their commitment to feed and food safety.  An industry Code of Conduct was developed in 2008 to address the principle of feed safety and responsibility in the agri-food value chain, and all Full Members and Associate Members of AFMA are required to maintain continuous compliance with the AFMA Code of Conduct.  Facility audits are conducted on a biennial basis by an independent assessment body to verify conformance to the AFMA Code of Conduct and confirm continuous membership of AFMA.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Registered companies in good standing in the animal feed industry can apply for AFMA Membership under the following categories:

AFMA MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY	WHO CAN APPLY?
Full Members	Companies manufacturing registered compound animal feed.
Associate Members	Companies manufacturing and/or supplying registered feed ingredients to the animal feed industry; including raw materials, feed additives, premixtures, and in-feed medication.
Affiliate Members**	Service providers to the animal feed industry, including analytical services (laboratories); consultation services (nutrition, operational, IT-systems); installation services (manufacturing equipment); and other NGOs and affiliated industry associations.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Full members – must show compliance with the AFMA Code of conduct by being audited by an independent third-party assessment body within three months from the date of the application being accepted by AFMA in writing.

Associate members – must show compliance with the AFMA Code of conduct by being audited by an independent third-party assessment body within three months from the date of the application being accepted by AFMA in writing.

Affiliate members – must provide a service to feed businesses in South Africa and may not trade in animal feed products.  Affiliate members will not be required to undergo independent audits on the AFMA Code of Conduct.

Prospective Full and Associate members should consult the Code of Conduct audit process & guideline on the AFMA website for more information on the audit scope and criteria. Please note that audit fees are not included in AFMA membership fees and are payable directly to the independent assessment body.

HOW TO APPLY FOR AFMA MEMBERSHIP

STEP 1 – Companies must complete & submit an online application form to apply for AFMA membership.  The membership request must be authorized by company management (CEO, COO, CFO, MD, GM, or FM) to be deemed a valid application.  [Note: Manufacturing facilities must apply individually for AFMA membership]

STEP 2 – Applicants will receive an acknowledgment of receipt note from the AFMA office to confirm that the application was received and is being processed by the Membership Committee.

STEP 3 – Applicants will receive a follow-up telephone call by the AFMA office to confirm company information and their prospective membership category. Contact details provided for the companies’ SHEQ Manager (or related management position) will be used to conduct the telephone interview.

STEP 4 – Successfully pre-screened applicants will receive a Membership Information letter containing relevant information on the next steps in the membership application process as well as a unique identification number. 

STEP 5 – Applicants must contact an approved assessment body to arrange for an audit quotation and to confirm an audit date. Applicants should confirm an audit date within one (1) month of receipt of the AFMA letter in Step 4. A list of AFMA approved assessment bodies is available on the AFMA website [NB:- The member identification number indicated on the letter must be referenced in all communication with AFMA and the assessment body in the future].

STEP 6 – An audit is performed by independent, skilled, and qualified auditors for compliance with the AFMA Code of Conduct and is based on the audit scope and criteria as documented in the Code of Conduct audit process & guideline. The audit must be completed within three (3) months of receipt of the AFMA letter in Step 4 and any delays must be communicated with the AFMA office and agreed upon in writing.

STEP 7 – Upon successful completion of the audit and verified proof of conformance, the applicant is recommended for AFMA membership and will be issued with an official Welcome letter from the AFMA office. The new member will also receive a Code of Conduct certificate and a media pack containing the Code of Conduct logo and instructions for use. 

Notes:

• Full and Associate members of AFMA are required to show continuous compliance with the Code of Conduct and must undergo an independent audit every two years. Members are encouraged to conduct internal audits every alternate year based on the same audit criteria.
• A manufacturing facility must apply individually for AFMA membership and obtain a Membership Nr to qualify for a Code of Conduct audit and conformance certificate.
• All warehouses used for the storage of registered animal feed products (bagged) are included in the audit of the member facility as verification of traceability.
• Full and Associate member companies that have successfully certified all their applicable manufacturing facilities for compliance with the Code of Conduct are awarded an additional AFMA Group Member Code of Conduct certificate to acknowledge the exceptional commitment to feed and food safety.