Qualified Programs are organizations that conduct a State or regional dairy product promotion, research or nutrition education program, authorized by Federal or State law; or has been an active and ongoing producer program before enactment of the Act; or is an importer organization that conducts a promotion, research, or nutrition education program. Qualified Programs who are currently certified are recognized at: Certified Qualified Programs.

Annually, the certification application package is issued to Qualified Programs. This package consists of:

Additionally, information required for the independent Dairy Program evaluation is included in the following attachments:

Submitted survey information is confidential and will be incorporated with other Dairy program data for analytical purposes including inclusion within the annual Dairy Report to Congress. Programs should include annual reports, audits, financial statements, and other supporting materials as required by the certification package, enabling legislation and orders with their submissions. Programs may submit certification packages and supporting documents electronically at the Online Submissions for Qualified Program Certification link:

The website for Online Submission for Qualified Programs Certification is available for submissions from March through August. Programs may also submit certification packages and other materials through the mail to: USDA, AMS, Dairy Programs, Room 2958-S, Stop 0233, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0233.

To access Online Submissions for Qualified Program Certification, Qualified Program must have a USDA eAuthentication account. USDA eAuthentication is a registration system that enables customers to securely access USDA Web applications and services via the Internet. The USDA eAuthentication system supports different levels of authentication. Online Submissions for Qualified Program Certification requires a Level 2 authentication.

To create an USDA eAuthentication Account: https://www.eauth.usda.gov/mainPages/eAuthSiteMap.aspx.

eAuthentication Account Restrictions: USDA eAuthentication password rules here. Each person who uses USDA eAuthentication must use his or her own user id. No sharing is allowed. USDA reserves the right to terminate any account if this policy is violated. After 180 days with no login, your USDA eAuthentication password will expire. After 400 days with no login, your USDA eAuthentication account will be disabled. To unlock your account, contact the eAuthentication Helpdesk:

Email: eAuthHelpDesk@ftc.usda.gov

Phone: 800-457-3642

The objective of the Qualified Program certification process is program integrity and compliance with the Dairy Act, Dairy Order and other applicable regulations. The certification process methodology integrates annual submissions with reviews performed by CPA firms, State Regulators and other documentation including promotion materials to support good governance practices within promotion, research and nutritional education programs. Upon review and approval of submitted certification packages, an annual approval letter is issued to the certified Qualified Program.

For further information please contact Dairy Promotion, Research and Planning Division.