3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. (3-A SSI) today announced that it has begun the annual process to vet, test, and certify new Certified Conformance Evaluators (CCEs). 

"Every new CCE credential is a step forward for the food processing industry," says Meri Beth Wojtaszek, executive director of 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc. "By expanding our roster of CCEs, we are keeping pace with growing demand for equipment bearing the 3-A Symbol and RP Mark."

3-A SSI will administer the proctored CCE exam May 4, 2026, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. CDT at the Chicago Marriott O’Hare. The 3-A SSI 2026 Summit on Hygienic Design will begin the following day, May 5, running through May 7, at the same hotel.

What is a CCE?

CCEs are credentialed by 3-A SSI to perform Third Party Verification (TPV) inspections. They evaluate food and pharmaceutical processing equipment for conformance with relevant 3-A Sanitary Standards. Only equipment that has passed the 3-A SSI TPV may bear the 3-A Symbol, or RP Mark for replacement parts. These marks are recognized as the gold standard for sanitary design in dairy and food processing and are codified in the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.

Key responsibilities of CCEs include:

·         Conduct TPV inspections of equipment, components, and systems

·         Evaluate conformance with 3-A Sanitary Standards and Accepted Practices

·         Interpret engineering drawings and sanitary design documentation

·         Travel domestically and internationally as independent contractors

·         Prepare formal inspection Third Party Verification Reports

·         Demonstrate professional integrity supported by references

Vetting CCE Candidates

CCE candidates must be approved by 3-A SSI to sit for the exam. For consideration, candidates are required to submit a CCE exam application to 3-A SSI detailing their education, training, work history, and special skills. 

The full set of qualifications is available in the online CCE Manual. 

The completed application must be accompanied by:

·         Two reference letters from prior employers or others with knowledge of the candidate’s work experience and integrity and

·         A copy of the candidate’s secondary education or college diploma, or an academic transcript.

In addition, there is a fee of $475, which includes the application review, exam, and first-year credential. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and candidates will be notified of their status as quickly as possible. For the May 4, 2026 exam, applications must be received by 3-A SSI no later than April 30, 2026.

Learn More

The CCE application is available online. Candidates are also encouraged to review the CCE Manual, which outlines policies and criteria. For additional information, contact Eric Schweitzer at (703) 790-0295, ext. 1 or erics@3-a.org.