SQF 1000 for Primary Producers

• What is SQF 1000?
• Benefits
• Getting Started
• Training
• Developing Your System
• Auditing & Certification
• Costs
• Code and Guidance
• E-Audits
• Voluntary Modules
• FAQs

Stage One: Getting Started

1. Register Your Company in the SQF Database
   
   To get started, you will first need to register your company in the
   SQF Quickfire E-Audit database. Registration will allow you to:
   
   
• Request information and pricing from a licensed Certification Body
• Select and deselect a Certification Body to perform your audit
• Manage your audit corrective actions
• Make your audit results available to your customers
• Market your facility as an SQF certified company


2. Choose Your Level of Certification
   
   The SQF 1000 Code is divided into three certification levels. These levels provide suppliers with an opportunity for continuous improvement and make SQF certification obtainable for even the smallest companies. Producers are issued with an SQF certificate indicating the level of certification achieved.
   
   

   Level 1: Food Safety Fundamentals

   Producers must establish prerequisite programs incorporating fundamental food safety controls essential to providing a sound foundation for the production and manufacture of safe food. This level is appropriate for low risk products.
   
   

   Level 2: Certified HACCP Food Safety Plans

   In addition to meeting Level 1 requirements, producers must complete and document a food safety risk assessment of the product and process using the HACCP method, and an action plan to eliminate, prevent or reduce food safety hazards. This is the minimum level for producers of high risk products.
   
   

   Level 3: Comprehensive Quality Management Systems Development

   A producer is required to complete and document a food quality assessment of the product and its associated process to identify the controls needed to ensure a consistent level of quality. Level 1 and Level 2 certification are prerequisites to gaining a Level 3 SQF certificate. After achieving Level 3 certification, a SQF-certified producer is authorized to use the SQF 1000 certification trademark to indicate their status as an SQF quality certified producer (use of this certification trademark may be restricted in certain areas).
   
   At all levels, producers are required to meet buyer product specifications and the regulatory requirements of the country in which they operate and the countries to which they export products.
   
   A producer may choose to implement the SQF system over an extended period of time or through a staged approach. By dividing the implementation into more manageable segments, the supplier can minimize time and cost.




3. Designate an Internal SQF Practitioner
   
   In order to become SQF certified you are required to designate one of your employees as an SQF Practitioner to implement and maintain your SQF system. The SQF Practitioner must meet the following requirements:



1. Be a full time employee and hold a position of responsibility in relation to the management of your SQF system.
2. Have completed a HACCP training course and be able to implement and maintain HACCP based food safety plans.
3. Have an understanding of the SQF Code(s) and the requirements to implement and maintain SQF systems.


4. Hire an SQF Consultant (optional)
   
   Suppliers may choose to develop and implement their SQF 1000 System themselves or they can hire a registered SQF Consultant. Hiring a consultant is optional and does not replace the requirement to designate a company employee as an SQF Practitioner.
   
   The next step is to identify your training needs.