Quality Assurance International
Quality Assurance International (QAI) is a San Diego-based, NSF-owned organic certification body that audits and certifies crop, livestock, processing, and handling operations under USDA NOP, COR, EU Organic, Mexico LPO, and adjacent food-quality standards across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Quality Assurance International does
Quality Assurance International (QAI) is a U.S.-based organic certification body headquartered in San Diego, California, that audits and certifies operations across the organic supply chain — from crop and livestock producers to processing and handling facilities. Founded around 1989–1990 and operating with 51–100 employees, QAI is a private subsidiary of NSF International, a global public health organization; the qai-inc.com website has been merged into nsf.org, signaling operational integration with the parent.
QAI's core product is organic certification under multiple regulatory regimes, including USDA National Organic Program (NOP), Canadian Organic Regime (COR), CARTV (Quebec), Mexico LPO (CAEQ-accredited), EU Organic Regulation, and NSF/ANSI 305 for personal care products containing organic ingredients. Through its integration with NSF, QAI bundles adjacent certifications — gluten-free, Non-GMO, plant-based, raised-without-antibiotics, honey transparency, GFSI/HACCP food safety, sustainability, and dietary supplement GMPs — into a one-stop certification offering. A strategic relationship with STAR-K adds kosher certification. QAI also maintains a public, searchable Organic Product Certification Directory indexed across these compliance standards.
Revenue is generated through professional-services fees for certification audits, paid on quote-based, multi-year contracts. Distribution is sales-led: direct outreach via phone (858-792-3531), email ([email protected]), and an inquiry-form PDF, supplemented by the public directory as a top-of-funnel tool. The customer base is a horizontal long tail of organic producers and processors across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, EU, Australia, and Korea, with no disclosed customer concentration. QAI is a long-standing member of the Organic Trade Association (since 1990), the Accredited Certifiers Association, and OMRI, and its technical manager serves as President of the IACB Board, embedding it deeply in organic standards-setting and policy networks.
Quality Assurance International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Quality Assurance International
- Legal name
- Quality Assurance International
- Website
- https://qai-inc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Quality Assurance International (QAI) is a San Diego-based, NSF-owned organic certification body that audits and certifies crop, livestock, processing, and handling operations under USDA NOP, COR, EU Organic, Mexico LPO, and adjacent food-quality standards across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Quality Assurance International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Organic Certification Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Organic Certification Services (AFALAMAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Food Safety & Quality Scheme Certifications (GFSI Programs) (AFALAMAI), Supplier Approval, Verification & Food Safety Risk Management (GFSI-aligned) (AFALADAH)
Keywords
Where Quality Assurance International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Quality Assurance International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Organic Certification Services: QAI certifies any step of the organic chain from field and livestock to processing and handling facilities. Revenue is generated through certification fees for various compliance standards including NOP, COR, EU Organic Regulation, and others.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based certification pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
Quality Assurance International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Quality Assurance International certifies any step of the organic supply chain — from field and livestock operations through processing and handling facilities — under multiple international compliance standards including USDA NOP, Canadian Organic Regime (COR), EU Organic Regulation, Mexico LPO, Quebec/CARTV, and NSF/ANSI 305 for personal care products. Through its parent NSF International, QAI offers bundled add-on certifications (gluten-free, Non-GMO, plant-based, raised without antibiotics, honey transparency, food safety/GFSI/HACCP, sustainability, dietary supplement GMPs, and kosher via STAR-K) covering the full organic and adjacent compliance needs of producers and processors.
Product overview
Quality Assurance International (QAI) operates as a unified organic certification platform offering comprehensive certification services across the entire organic supply chain, from agricultural production (crops and livestock) through processing and handling facilities. The core product is the Organic Certification Services program, which serves as the primary certification offering. Additional certification services including Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Plant-Based Foods, Raised Without Antibiotics, Honey Transparency, Food Safety (GFSI/HACCP), Sustainability Verifications, and Dietary Supplement GMPs are available as bundled add-on modules through QAI's partnership with NSF International. Kosher Certification is offered through a strategic partnership with STAR-K. The company also maintains an Organic Product Certification Directory as a searchable sub-brand for locating certified products and businesses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Organic Certification Services
- Gluten-Free Certification
- Non-GMO Certification
- Plant-Based Foods Certification
- Raised Without Antibiotics Certification
- Honey Transparency Certification
- Food Safety Services
- Sustainability Verifications
- Dietary Supplement GMPs
- Kosher Certification
- Organic Product Certification Directory
Companies that use Quality Assurance International
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Quality Assurance International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Quality Assurance International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Organic Trade Association (OTA)coreQAI has been a proud member of the Organic Trade Association since 1990. They have supported its mission to promote and protect organic agriculture and commerce by serving on the board of directors, providing sponsorships and participating in policy meetings.
- Accredited Certifiers Association (ACA)coreAs an active member of the ACA, QAI works with other accredited certifiers to develop uniform criteria for implementation of the USDA National Organic Program, conduct peer-to-peer certifier training and network within the community to address issues impacting organic certification.
- Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)coreOMRI was created to ensure that inputs for organic use are verified thoroughly and consistently. QAI is a subscribing member, and QAI's technical staff have served on OMRI review panels to provide expertise in the review of commercial products used by organic operators.
- International Accredited Certification Bodies (IACB)minorThe IACB supports its members on issues relating to international certification and standards. A key responsibility is the development and maintenance of the IOAS EU Accreditation Programme Standard. QAI's technical manager serves as President of the Board of Directors.
- Australian Certified OrganicminorQAI works with Australian Certified Organic to provide organic certification for products being exported to Korea that are not covered under the U.S.-Korea Equivalency Arrangement.
- NSF InternationalcoreAs part of NSF, QAI can seamlessly bundle services including gluten-free certification, Non-GMO certifications, plant-based foods certification, raised without antibiotics certification, honey transparency certification, food safety services (GFSI-benchmarked certifications and HACCP), sustainability verifications, and dietary supplement GMPs with organic certification.
- STAR-KminorQAI has created a strategic relationship with Star-K to provide customers with kosher certification alongside organic certification.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Quality Assurance International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BCS Öko-Garantie: BCS is a Germany-based organic certification body accredited to EU, USDA NOP, and Japanese Organic standards. It is a direct competitor to QAI in cross-border organic certification, particularly for EU and Asian market access.
- Control Union Certifications: Control Union is a global certification and inspection body offering organic certification alongside sustainability and supply-chain programs across more than 70 countries. It directly competes with QAI for multinational organic certification accounts, particularly in agricultural commodities.
- Ecocert: Ecocert is a France-based global certification body specializing in organic, natural, and ecological products, with accreditations across EU, U.S., and multiple emerging markets. It is a direct competitor to QAI for organic certification of cosmetics, food, and textiles across international jurisdictions.
- SCS Global Services: SCS Global Services is a third-party certifier offering organic (USDA NOP), Non-GMO, sustainability, and food safety certifications. It directly competes with QAI across multiple certification categories and is a comparable mid-sized international certifier.
- CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers): CCOF is one of the largest USDA-accredited organic certifiers in the United States, certifying crops, livestock, processing, and handling operations. It directly competes with QAI for North American organic certification clients and is a peer on USDA NOP scope.
- Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO): OTCO is a USDA-accredited organic certifier serving farms, processors, and handlers across the U.S. and internationally. It directly competes with QAI in the NOP organic certification market and offers similar transition and handling certification services.
- Soil Association Certification: Soil Association Certification is the UK's leading organic certification body, accredited to EU Organic, USDA NOP, and other international standards. It is a direct peer to QAI for international organic certification, particularly in the UK and EU markets.
Regional players
- Australian Certified Organic (ACO): ACO is Australia's largest organic certifier, accredited to multiple international standards and operating primarily in the Asia-Pacific region. ACO is both a partner of QAI for Korea export coverage and a regional peer in international organic certification.
Broad incumbents
- NSF International: NSF is QAI's parent company and a broad food safety, water quality, and consumer products certification body. NSF is the broader incumbent that bundles QAI's organic certification with food safety (GFSI), supplements, and sustainability services for enterprise clients.
Emerging players
- A Greener World: A Greener World is a nonprofit certifier offering sustainability and regenerative agriculture certifications (Certified Grassfed, Animal Welfare Approved) that increasingly overlap with organic-adjacent market segments. It is an emerging player in the broader label certification space where QAI is expanding.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Quality Assurance International social profiles
Digital presenceQuality Assurance International compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
Quality Assurance International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Quality Assurance International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Quality Assurance International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Quality Assurance International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Quality Assurance International
What does Quality Assurance International do?
Quality Assurance International certifies any step of the organic supply chain — from field and livestock operations through processing and handling facilities — under multiple international compliance standards including USDA NOP, Canadian Organic Regime (COR), EU Organic Regulation, Mexico LPO, Quebec/CARTV, and NSF/ANSI 305 for personal care products. Through its parent NSF International, QAI offers bundled add-on certifications (gluten-free, Non-GMO, plant-based, raised without antibiotics, honey transparency, food safety/GFSI/HACCP, sustainability, dietary supplement GMPs, and kosher via STAR-K) covering the full organic and adjacent compliance needs of producers and processors.
Is Quality Assurance International a public or private company?
Quality Assurance International is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Quality Assurance International founded?
Quality Assurance International was founded in 1990. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Quality Assurance International based?
Quality Assurance International is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Quality Assurance International make money?
One revenue line is on record: organic Certification Services.
Who are Quality Assurance International's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BCS Öko-Garantie, Control Union Certifications, Ecocert, SCS Global Services, CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) and Soil Association Certification. Australian Certified Organic (ACO) is listed as a regional player. NSF International is listed as a broad incumbent. A Greener World is listed as an emerging player.
Does Quality Assurance International have an API?
No public API is recorded for Quality Assurance International.
What industry is Quality Assurance International in?
Quality Assurance International's product category is Organic Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFALAMAA, Organic Certification Services, with a secondary code of AFALAMAI, Food Safety & Quality Scheme Certifications (GFSI Programs).