By Rachel Anderson, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, SQFI
The food and retail industries have long had recognized certification standards for manufacturers, storage facilities, and 
distributors. But one critical part of the supply chain has gone largely uncertified — until now.
The SQF Institute has launched the SQF Agents & Brokers Code (Edition 9), a dedicated certification standard for businesses involved in the buying, selling, and facilitation of trade across food and general merchandise. If your business sources products, represents suppliers, or manages procurement across trading partners — this Code was built for you.
Why Certification Matters Now
Agents, brokers, traders, merchants, importers, and exporters play an increasingly central role in global supply chains. Yet many of these organizations never physically handle a product. Their influence on supplier approvals, traceability, documentation, and sourcing decisions is significant — and largely unregulated by any formal certification standard.
That gap has not gone unnoticed. Major retailers including Aldi, among others, already require their agents and brokers to hold recognized third-party certification. As supply chain scrutiny intensifies globally, that expectation is only expanding.
The SQF Agents & Brokers Code closes that gap. It establishes structured expectations around supplier approval, traceability, complaints management, documentation controls, and risk-based decision-making — creating a framework that reflects how this sector actually works.
What the Code Covers
The Code applies to organizations involved in trade facilitation, not physical product handling. Receiving, storage, and physical handling fall under separate SQF certification codes. Importantly, virtual operations are fully eligible, meaning the physical footprint of your business is not a barrier to certification.
The SQF Agents & Brokers Code has been developed to align with GFSI benchmark requirements, with formal GFSI benchmarking expected in 2027.
How the Process Works
The SQF Agents and Brokers certification was designed so that it can be completed 100% remotely, saving thousands of dollars on audit fees.
All audits are annual and announced in advance, with no unannounced audits unless specifically requested by your business or a customer. Audit duration is a minimum of half a day, with the certification body determining the final length based on the size and complexity of your operations.
Annual registration is $650 USD.
Ready to Learn More?
Certification under the SQF Agents & Brokers Code is a straightforward way to demonstrate operational credibility to the retailers and brand owners who matter most to your business. Visit our Agents & Brokers landing page to learn more and find out how to get started.
