The USDA Process Verified Program uses the International Organization for Standardization's ISO 9000 series standards for documented quality management systems as a format for evaluating program documentation to ensure consistent auditing practices and promote international recognition of audit results.

The USDA Process Verified Program provides companies that supply agricultural products or services the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products or services. It is limited to programs or portions of programs where specified process verified points are supported by a documented quality management system. The specified process verified points are identified by the supplier.

Companies with approved USDA Process Verified Programs are able to make claims associated with their process verified points – these include age, source, feeding practices, or other raising and processing claims -- and market themselves as "USDA Process Verified" with use of the "USDA Process Verified" shield and term. All label claims that are associated with a PVP or not, must be approved by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to determine if they are truthful and not misleading when associated with meat, poultry, or egg products in commerce that were produced under Federal Inspection. We also coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to encourage labels that are truthful and not misleading. However, unlike FSIS, FDA does not maintain a prior label approval requirement or program. The USDA Process Verified Program does not relieve the company of meeting regulatory requirements issued by other Federal Departments or USDA Agencies.