This workshop report was prepared by the HoA Working Group Value of Private Assurance Schemes (HoA WG PAS). The workshop was aimed at officials involved in the design, planning and prioritisation of official controls. As a result, it was emphasised that there are different approaches and ideas in Europe on how private assurance schemes can be taken into account in official food safety controls. Certification can play an important supporting role in risk-based control, but private assurance cannot replace official controls.