Frequently asked questions

Service Allergie Suisse is the independent certification body for the Allergy Seal of Quality standard. It certifies and awards the Allergy Seal of Quality for products and services for people with allergies and intolerances.

Service Allergie Suisse has set itself the goal of providing an Allergy Seal of Quality that meets the high standards of everyone involved. For the more than three million people affected in Switzerland, this seal offers clear guidance and genuine added value.

Our standards go beyond mere legal compliance: we aim to provide tangible support to people with allergies and intolerances, as well as to their families. Thanks to the label, products that are suitable for them are immediately recognisable. By offering certified products, manufacturers, retailers and brands can meet the needs of allergy and intolerance sufferers and attract new customers.

The activities of Service Allergie Suisse are based on the Allergy Seal of Quality standard, which defines the basic requirements. Service Allergie Suisse has laid down specific requirements for each sector in close cooperation with public bodies and specialists from the various sectors (e.g., catering, foodstuffs, cosmetics, etc.), with experts in trademark law and large, international auditing bodies. The rules established by the Swiss Association of Cantonal Chemists and the responsible federal office played a key role in shaping these criteria, and players from industry were also involved in order to find production-related solutions. Our requirements are in all cases based very precisely on the existing legal framework.

Service Allergie Suisse coordinates and monitors the certification process for products and services. These are tested by independent testing bodies according to the strictest guidelines for their compatibility for people with allergies and intolerances. After fulfilling all requirements, the products and services receive the Allergy Seal of Quality together with a certificate.

Service Allergie Suisse has over 20 years of experience in the certification of products and services. To date, more than 1,600 products have successfully passed the Service Allergie Suisse certification process. Our experience extends to the fields of food, catering, cosmetics and cleaning agents, hygiene products, technical products and textiles, as well as indoor areas.

The Allergy Seal of Quality is an internationally recognised and protected trademark for special products and services that are suitable for people with allergies and intolerances. It refers exclusively to allergies and intolerances and confirms that a product has been tested and certified with regard to its suitability for those affected.

The Allergy Seal of Quality allows those with allergies and intolerances to see at a glance which products are suitable for them. The Allergy Seal of Quality guarantees that a product's manufacturing process has been independently tested and that the information on the packaging is correct.

The Allergy Seal of Quality confirms the claims on the packaging (e.g., "without milk", "gluten-free", "lactose-free"), i.e., it confirms which allergens are not contained in the corresponding product. It refers exclusively to allergies and intolerances.

Products and services undergo a strict certification process. Once certified, products and services are subject to annual checks by auditors as well as by Service Allergie Suisse. In addition, quality controls can be carried out at companies at any time and without prior notification.

The product database on this website provides a good overview of which allergies and intolerances apply to products.

The application of the Allergy Seal of Quality entails one-off initial certification costs as well as annually recurring maintenance costs per product or product group and an annual licence fee. Request a non-binding quote.

A company that manufactures products with the Allergy Seal of Quality or offers certified services must hold and implement certification in a quality management standard (e.g. ISO 9001) as well as an allergen management system according to the HACCP concept. Detailed information is given in our requirements. Order the requirements.

You must send an application to Service Allergie Suisse.

The certification process usually takes three months, but this can vary.

The certificate is valid for three years. A re-audit is carried out after three years.

Newly certified products are published in the product database on this website and are recommended to people affected by allergies by the aha! Swiss Allergy Centre.

In order to receive certification, a company that manufactures products with the Allergy Seal of Quality or that offers certified services must demonstrate and have implemented an allergen management system in accordance with the specifications of an HACCP concept.

In order for food and beverages to be certified, at least one allergenic or intolerance-causing ingredient (e.g., gluten or celery by suitable processes) must be demonstrably removed or replaced. Service Allergie Suisse checks which allergens are not contained in the product, using clear and measurable values. The absence of this allergen may be clearly highlighted on the packaging.

The Allergy Seal of Quality does not indicate that the product is safe for all allergies and intolerances. We therefore recommend that you always check the claims (e.g. "lactose-free", without celery") on the packaging.

Products with the Allergy Seal of Quality never have traces of the allergen that is being advertised. For example, traces of wheat or spelt are not allowed in gluten-free foods. However, certified products may contain traces of other allergenic ingredients.

A catering establishment must have been operational for at least six months, have a certified quality and allergen management system in place, and offer menus that are optimised for at least one allergy or intolerance.

Employees must be able to provide information about ingredients in the food and beverages on offer that could trigger allergies or intolerances. Plants with allergy potential must not be used indoors.

Certification with the Allergy Seal of Quality is not based on individual foodstuffs or allergy menus, but on the service provided. A controlled process, from ordering food to preparation and service, ensures that set meals can be offered safely, especially for those with allergies and intolerances.

A company that manufactures cosmetics with the Allergy Seal of Quality must, for certification, demonstrate and have implemented an allergen management system in accordance with the specifications of an HACCP concept.

In order for cosmetics to be certified, they must contain 81 allergenic compounds in very limited quantities only. The Allergy Seal of Quality prohibits these compounds in a concentration ten times lower than permitted by Swiss law. They can be advertised as "suitable for sensitive skin".

If a cosmetic product with the Allergy Seal of Quality is advertised as "without perfume", "without fragrances" or "without colourants", then it contains neither natural nor synthetic fragrances or colourants. Also, no plant extracts can be used for perfuming or colouring.

Products certified with the Allergy Seal of Quality do not necessarily have to be fragrance-free. Unlike the 81 allergenic compounds, the claim "without perfume/without fragrances" is not tested as standard.

No. Substances such as plant extracts or essential oils in natural cosmetics can also trigger allergies.

Hygiene and toiletries include, for example, nappies for babies and toddlers, sanitary towels and pads, and lotion-free cleaning wipes.

To be certified, hygiene products may only contain very limited quantities of 81 potentially allergenic substances, azo and disperse dyes, formaldehyde, nickel and chromium (VI). In addition to the basic requirements above, the claims "without perfume/without fragrances", "without colourants" and "without latex" are tested if they are advertised or used on packaging.

A company that manufactures hygiene products with the Allergy Seal of Quality must, for certification, demonstrate and have implemented an allergen management system in accordance with the specifications of an HACCP concept.

Detergents or cleaning agents include, for example, laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents or all-purpose cleaners.

In order for detergents or cleaning agents to be certified, they must contain 81 allergenic compounds in very limited quantities only. The Allergy Seal of Quality prohibits these compounds in a concentration ten times lower than permitted by Swiss law. They can be advertised as "suitable for sensitive skin".

If a detergent or cleaning agent with the Allergy Seal of Quality is advertised as "without perfume", "without fragrances", "enzymes" or "without colourants", then they contain neither natural nor synthetic fragrances or colourants. Also, no plant extracts can be used for perfuming or colouring.

A company that manufactures detergents or cleaning agents with the Allergy Seal of Quality must, for certification, demonstrate and have implemented an allergen management system in accordance with the specifications of an HACCP concept.

Encasings are textiles with a barrier function, such as covers for bedding (e.g. mattresses) or bedding with integrated mite protection (e.g. duvet, pillows).

In order for mite protection covers (encasings) to be certified, allergens must be kept away from allergy sufferers to a specified percentage degree (barrier).

The materials and weave may be different, but the decisive factor is the specified permeability of mite allergens.

Textile materials and items include, for example: all types of clothing, bed linen, upholstery fabrics, carpets and curtains.

For textiles and textile materials, a quality management standard (e.g. ISO 9001) is sufficient as a prerequisite for certification. Proof of a valid "Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex" certificate makes it easier to meet the requirements for certification with the Allergy Seal of Quality.

Technical products/household appliances are products with suction functions (e.g. vacuum cleaners), filters (e.g. pollen filters or air filters) or washing systems or washing processes (e.g. washing machines).

In order for technical products/household appliances to be certified, allergens must be kept away from allergy sufferers in accordance with a specified percentage by removing them (vacuuming, washing), filtering them (filter) or retaining them (barrier).

They are suitable for people with allergies to pollen, dust mites, mould or animals. The packaging indicates for which allergies the product is appropriate for.

There must be a quality management system in place with clearly defined and controlled responsibilities, as well as a training and further education concept on allergies and intolerances.

In order for hotel rooms to be certified, textile furniture and curtains as well as allergy-triggering plants must be avoided, among other things. The rooms have smooth floor coverings (e.g. parquet, linoleum, stone or short-pile synthetic fibre carpet). In addition, mite-proof covers for mattresses, duvets and pillows must be provided, as well as hypoallergenic soaps, shower gels and shampoos. Cleaning with hypoallergenic products and suitable vacuum cleaners must be ensured.

A hotel can be advertised as "allergy-friendly" if at least one room meets the requirements.