Everything You Need to Know About SQF Certification
Today's global food system faces a multitude of hazards and threats — requiring food and beverage manufacturers to uphold strict and comprehensive rules and practices to manage different markets, industry subsectors, and dangers. These food safety standards are critical to protect consumers and foster trust in the food industry.
Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification is a globally recognized framework for food safety management, helping businesses of all sizes demonstrate their commitment to producing safe, high-quality food.
Like all standards, SQF presents companies with unique requirements (and challenges) to attaining certification that they should be prepared to overcome. If you need SQF certification for your business, it’s critical to understand what the certification process entails, and what it takes to remain compliant once it’s attained.
What Is SQF Certification?
SQF certification is a comprehensive food safety and quality management standard recognized and benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative. Not only is it an effective food safety management system in its own right, but it’s also in alignment with the emerging food safety standards of the worldwide food supply system.
Developed by the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), the SQF program provides a rigorous framework for food safety management, encompassing a wide range of food sectors that include primary production, manufacturing, processing, and distribution.
SQF certification is built around the concept of preventive controls and continuous improvement. The standard integrates both food safety and quality management systems, helping food and beverage companies not only comply with regulatory requirements but also exceed customer expectations for safety and quality.
The certification process requires stakeholders to undergo a series of thorough and often-challenging assessments to ensure certified businesses have the robust systems in place to constantly meet compliance standards.
How to Get SQF Certified
SQF certification, as a globally recognized food safety standard, involves a rigorous six-step process that may include multiple audits.
1. Register Your Company on the SQF Assessment Database
First, familiarize yourself with the SQF materials relevant to your industry or Food Sector Category using the SQF Institute website. From there, register your facility through their online form to begin the certification process.
2. Designate an Employee as the SQF Practitioner
Appoint one team member as the SQF practitioner. This appointee must be a full-time employee, have completed a HACCP-based training course, and have proven competence in implementing and maintaining Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Most importantly, they need to possess a thorough understanding of the SQF code and its requirements relevant to their company’s certification.
3. Document Your SQF System
Establish the system elements and GMP requirements of the SQF Code that are relevant for your particular operation. Thoroughly document the policies, procedures, work instructions, and specifications in compliance with the code requirements.
4. Implement the SQF System
Ensure all documented policies, procedures, work instructions, and specifications are effectively implemented and that your procedure records demonstrate workers are complying with the SQF Food Safety Code.
SQFI recommends maintaining a minimum of 90 days of records before a site audit is conducted. It’s recommended that a third-party SQF auditor or your SQF practitioner conduct a pre-assessment to identify gaps between your program and SQF certification.
5. The Initial Certification Audit
To begin the auditing process, select a certification body and schedule the initial audit. From there, a qualified SQF auditor will conduct an assessment to ensure your documentation and operational activities comply with the SQF Code. Remember that the audit scope, once agreed upon with your certification body, cannot be changed after the audit begins.
The SQF auditor will then review your documentation and implementation, collecting evidence of compliance. If non-conformances are found, you must address them and upload proof of corrective actions. The auditor will review the report before full closeout.
6. Certification
After addressing any non-conformances and finalizing the audit report, the certification body will issue the SQF certificate, valid for 75 days beyond the initial audit anniversary. Ensure annual re-registration to maintain your SQF certification.
Surveillance audits may be required in the event of a C rating during certification or recertification audits. One unannounced audit is also a requirement within every three-year SQF certification cycle, highlighting the importance of diligent adherence and constant compliance.
Streamline SQF Certification and Compliance With AIB International
SQF certification is challenging to both attain and maintain. That’s where expert support from AIB International comes in. Our organization has over a 100-year history in food safety education, training, and consulting, including guidance on compliance with the most stringent global food safety standards.
Request a quote for our SQF Certification services to learn more about how we can help your company improve food safety and navigate the rigorous auditing process.
