Certification Bodies

We license Certification Bodies to conduct SQF audits and issue the SQF certificate. Certification Bodies are organizations that employ auditors that conduct site audits. SQFI-licensed Certification Bodies must be accredited to the international standard ISO/IEC 17065:2012 (or subsequent versions as applicable) and be subject to annual assessments of their certification activities by the SQFI-licensed Accreditation Bodies. 

SQFI partners with licensed Certification Bodies that operate both nationwide and around the globe. Use our Certification Body Directory to find a Certification Body near you. 

Contact Compliance Staff

Tammie Van Buren

Compliance Manager, SQFI

Elizabeth Tierno

Technical Specialist - Compliance, SQFI

Contact

Certification Body Criteria 

Certification Bodies that wish to become licensed to audit against the SQF Code and issue certificates must first be accredited by an accreditation body who is a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and approved by the SQFI.

They must also demonstrate that they meet the requirements of ISO/IEC Guide 17065/IEC:2012, meet the standards outlined in Criteria for SQF Certification Bodies, and complete a Certification Body Application.

Resources

The following resources support SQF certification bodies.

Certification Body Criteria

This document provides the criteria to become an SQF Certification Body.

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Logo Rules of Use

Follow our logo rules of use for the SQF and SQFI Logos.

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Certification Body Directory

Utilize this directory to locate SQF Certification Bodies and contact them.

Access

Change Management

Certification bodies can request date changes for their sites.

Access Form

Application Process 

If you would like to become an SQF-licensed Certification Body, please contact us for an application. 

Once your application is received it will be reviewed by a review board for completeness and accuracy. A conference call may be scheduled as necessary to discuss the application in more detail. 

Once an application is approved, a license agreement will be presented for co-signing by both parties and an invoice will be issued to the newly licensed certification body. Fees are dependent on the territory in which audits will be conducted. Email compliance@fmi.org for fee information. 

  • The experience of being involved with SQF has absolutely changed my life. SQF has turned things around for me completely for the last 14 years … and I have a deep respect for what SQF stands for.

    - Joe Wieland, Lead Auditor, EAGLE Certification Group