Members & System Participants
Who Is Part of the KAT System?
Feed Manufacturers
The production of feed for laying hens is subject to specific requirements for KAT-certified feed manufacturers, including:
- Only raw materials and feed materials listed in the QS (Quality and Safety) Feed Materials List may be used.
- Finished feed must be analysed for undesirable substances.
Hatcheries & Rearing Farms
KAT-Approved Origin
The chicks originate exclusively from KAT-approved hatcheries or KAT-approved rearing farms.
Preparation for the Future Production System
Pullets are reared in accordance with the production system in which they will later be kept as laying hens. This allows the birds to become familiar with their future environment at an early stage.
Uniform Requirements for Male Birds
The rearing of brother roosters is also subject to the KAT requirements for animal husbandry.
Documentation in the KAT Database
All flocks are recorded in the central KAT database, providing the basis for complete traceability throughout the KAT system.
Laying Farms
Egg Marking at the Farm
Every egg is marked with its producer code directly at the laying farm, ensuring traceability from the very beginning.
Certified Feed
Feed for laying hens is supplied exclusively by KAT-certified feed manufacturers.
Verification of the Ban on Chick Culling
For every flock of pullets placed since 1 January 2022, proof must be provided that either:
the brother roosters were reared in accordance with the KAT requirements, or
an approved in-ovo sexing method was applied.
Documentation in the KAT Database
Animal, egg and feed quantities are recorded in the KAT database, ensuring complete traceability within the KAT system.
Packing Stations
Packing stations grade and pack the eggs received from laying farms.
They are required to report all eggs marketed to food retailers or egg product manufacturers to the KAT database. This enables the movement of goods to be traced throughout the supply chain, right up to the retail sector.
Egg Product Manufacturers & Food Industry
Controlled Origin – Also for Egg Products
KAT ensures traceability not only for shell eggs but also for egg products and foods manufactured using egg products.
To be marketed as a KAT egg product, only eggs originating from KAT-certified laying farms may be used.
Both the eggs used and the resulting egg products are documented within the KAT system. This ensures that the origin of the eggs remains fully traceable throughout every stage of processing—from the laying farm, through the egg product manufacturer, to the food industry.
The "KAT – Ihr Prüfsystem für Eier" label may be used where the requirements of the KAT system have been fully met and appropriately documented.
Inspected Production Systems