What is the CUBIT Seal of BioProtection and how does it work?
The CUBIT Seal of BioProtection is a private label, endorsed by experts in the medical, public health, safety and security fields, attesting that the holder organization meets and abides by strict standards for authentication, certification and validation with regard to protection, training, awareness, preventive practices and responsive measures for the biological and health safety of their product in preparation, processing and distribution to the consumer.

The CUBIT Seal addresses quality assurance and control with respect to biological and chemical contamination that can adversely affect the health of the consumer who handles, breathes, or ingests products that may include meats, poultry, fish and other animal substances, or fruit/vegetable produce, or other products made for direct consumption or for use in contact with cooking, eating and bodily care.

The CUBIT Seal is given to an organization only following a rigorous application and validation process that includes inspection and testing of materials, equipment and procedures all along the supply chain pathway from initial agricultural or livestock growth to final product delivery on the store floor. Drawing upon the structures of other standards in the same and related industries, the CUBIT Seal involves an applicant organization purchasing and/or using, on an occasional test-cycle basis. most of the basic components and elements of the CUBIT Suite including the use of rapid-antigen detection, immunoassay testing, surface bioprotection, staff/visitor training, and a rigorous course (programme) of site-based and document-enhanced evaluation, inspection, question-and-answering, and critical review of their people, plant, supply chain, equipment.

The CUBIT Seal is much more rigorous than USDA or FDA or DHS inspections. This is important. What it means is that the holder of the Seal can say to their customers and in their advertising that they are doing more and better than their competitors and that they are in better shape when it comes to food and related product safety than the "other guys."

CUBIT Seal is not only about biopathogens but also deals with chemicals and other environmental operating conditions. It is addressing the problem of "enhanced product health deterioration" and "progressive diminishment of infection and contamination barriers" that is the big problem of today. CUBIT Seal is as much about mellinin in children's toys or pet food from China as it is about salmonella or e.coli O157 in meat or poultry. CUBIT Seal is what people need to get and if they can be made to understand why and the value in the marketplace perception of their product and their process, then they will pay for it gladly, even if they are desperate to cut corners.

CUBIT Seal will also have a very concrete and definite positive effect on the reduction of risk and liability for all its holders. It is evidence of doing seriously more to protect the customer.

Administration
The CUBIT Seal is administered jointly by TETRADYN Corporation and the independent, non-profit Institute for Sustainable Economy and Community (ISEC). ISEC facilitates and governs the CUBIT Seal Review Board, an independent panel of experts from the international public health, medical, food and product safety, transportation, governmental and legal communities.

Levels of Certification
There are three levels of accreditation and certification with the CUBIT Seal of Bioprotection. An applicant may seek any one of the three levels and, having attained one level, it may subsequently apply for a higher level.

Platinum : Meeting the highest standards of quality and the consistently lowest measured indicators of biological or chemical contamination or excess in products or production facilities and equipment; Satisfactory measurements performed on mainly monthly but often on an ad hoc and random basis.

Gold : A step below, less rigorous quantitatively, and with less comprehensive inspection, testing, and repeat monitoring.

Silver : The most basic level , and one that allows room for improvement but also puts the holder still a step up above the basic and generally insufficient USDA standards.

Costs
Application Fees (non-refundable)

Platinum or Gold Seal goal: $1,000
Silver Seal goal: $500

Processing Fees
Platinum Seal: Base certification $12,000
Extended Certification Options Package $8,000 - $64,000
Continuous testing and monitoring program $1,000/month

Gold Seal: Base certification $9,000;
Limited Extended Certification Options Package $4,000 - $24,000
Limited testing and monitoring program $700/month

Silver Seal: Base certification $5,000

Surcharge Fees
Travel outside North America: Travel reimbursed according to standards of US federal govt. allowances
Challenged and hazardous environments: Subcontractor and special equipment fees reimbursed as per individual contractual agreements with applicant organization

We have based the CUBIT Seal of BioProtection very closely upon long-standing, accepted, recognized standards in industry:

• Oeko-Tex * (Germany-based, working for years in the textile and clothing industry)
• FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT HOHENSTEIN * Schloss Hohenstein (@ Stuttgart, DE; work w Oeko-Tex)
• USGBC (US Green Building Council) * LEED (architecture and buildings)
• Green Seal * (materials and products of many types)
• MTS (Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability) * Unified Sustainable Textile Standard
• ANSI * (materials of many varied types)
• NSF * (public health and environmental health and safety, with a focus on water, food service, and wastewater treatment)