2017 Qualified Testing Program
Qualified Testing is a program where equipment and/or products can be submitted for performance evaluation on World Championship-level criteria. Manufacturers whose equipment and/or products pass the 2017 Qualified Testing program are invited to enter the 2018-2020 Qualified Sponsorship bidding process for the certified categories. There is also the opportunity to license a mark of qualification from the Specialty Coffee Association for the equipment and products that pass Qualified Testing.
Qualified Testing evaluates suitability for use in competition environments like the World Barista Championship, World Coffee In Good Spirits Championship, World Brewers Cup, World Latte Art Championship, World Coffee Roasting Championship, and World Cup Tasters Championship.
Timeline:
- January 2017 — Documents and registration launched
- March 1st 2017 — Deadline for registration to participate in Qualified Testing
- March-July 2017 — Timeframe for testing (exact dates may vary by category, and certain components may be tested at different times)
- August – September 2017 — Test results are returned to participants
- October 2017 — Deadline for Qualified Sponsorship bid submissions
- December 2017 — Qualified Sponsors for 2018-2020 are announced