SQNBA Certification Mandatory from 2025 for CAP Support: What Changes for Farmers

Suolo e Salute has already been audited by Accredia and is about to apply for authorisation from Masaf. 

From 2025, payment for Level 2 of Eco-schemes 1 – one of the key instruments of the new CAP – will be subject to SQNBA certification, associated with grazing or free-range farming practices. Compared to Level 1, this commitment is more stringent: in addition to the rational use of antibiotics, it requires compliance with specific certified animal welfare standards, contained in the system's official regulations.

New regulations for 2025: SQNBA regulations come into force

During the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, transitional specifications were in force (Ministerial Decree No. 690602 of 15 December 2022). With the Ministerial Decree of 23 October 2024, the official SQNBA specifications were introduced, aimed at cattle and pig farms that adopt grazing or free-range farming. 

Adherence to the new regulations becomes a mandatory condition for benefiting from the Level 2 premium, making access to the Eco-schemes more selective. 

How to obtain SQNBA certification

To obtain SQNBA certification, the farmer must: 

comply with all the requirements set out in the specific regulations for the animal species. 

submit an application to a UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17065 accredited Certification Body (CB). Suolo e Salute meets the requirements to certify SQNBA and is awaiting authorisation from Masaf for this activity.

The official list of authorised CBs will be published shortly by MASAF. 

Exceptions: who can obtain the premium without certification 

Certified organic farms are exempt from the obligation to adhere to SQNBA. The legislation equates the organic regulations with the SQNBA standards, recognising the overlap of commitments. The exemption also applies to farms in conversion. Small cattle farms (up to 20 LU) Another exemption applies to small cattle farms (up to 20 LU). To qualify for the exemption, the following conditions must be met: 

grazing must be practised; the competent Region must authorise the exemption. the same Region must carry out the checks in place of the OdC. New for 2025: the LU threshold has been raised from 10 to 20, making it easier for mountain and marginal farms to access aid. 

Learn more about Suolo e Salute 

About Cotecna

For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.