By Damien Alexander, Asia Pacific Business Development Representative, SQFI
ALDI requires agents and brokers supplying exclusive brand products to hold recognized third-party certification, so here's what that means, who it applies to, and how SQF certification satisfies the requirement.
If your business sources, brokers, or facilitates trade for ALDI's exclusive brand products, a new certification requirement 
could apply to you. ALDI, one of the world's largest global retailers, operating across Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, the United States, and beyond, has established a clear directive for its agents and brokers: hold recognized third-party certification, or you will not meet the criteria to supply ALDI.
ALDI communicates its supplier policies directly to its business partners. Information in this post reflects publicly available policy documents and SQF program guidance. Suppliers should refer to ALDI's direct communications for the most current requirements.
Here is the quick list of what you need to know.
Yes. ALDI's International Quality Assurance policies require all agents and brokers supplying ALDI's exclusive brand products to hold one of its accepted third-party certifications at the required minimum grade. Business partners who do not achieve and maintain this requirement will not meet the criteria to supply ALDI.
This is not a future consideration. ALDI has communicated this expectation directly to its supplier base and directed suppliers to have accepted certification in place. Agents and brokers should treat this as an active requirement, not an emerging one.
ALDI defines agents and brokers as non-manufacturing traders who buy, sell, or facilitate the trade of finished products but are not involved in the production, storage, or physical handling of the product.
If that describes your business, the requirement applies, whether you are sourcing food products or general merchandise. ALDI's policy covers both food and non-food business partners through separate but parallel frameworks:
Food agents and brokers are governed by ALDI's International Quality Assurance Food Business Partner Approval Policy (IQA PL001).
Non-food agents and brokers are governed by ALDI's International Quality Assurance Non-Food Business Partner Approval Policy (IQA PL002).
The requirement applies across ALDI's global supply chain.
Importantly, agents and brokers are also responsible for ensuring that all suppliers within their own supply chain are fully compliant with ALDI's policies. Certification is not just about your organization — it signals accountability for the entire network you manage.
SQF certification is a Tier 1 accepted certification for ALDI agents and brokers globally for both food and non-food business partners.
Tier 1 globally accepted schemes for agents and brokers include the SQF Agents and Brokers Code with minimum audit scores.
The SQF Agents & Brokers Code was built specifically for organizations that trade and facilitate products without physically handling them, exactly the type of business ALDI's policy targets.
A few practical advantages stand out:
Audits can be conducted entirely remotely.
The SQF Agents & Brokers Code permits remote audits across all audit types. For a business without a production facility, this eliminates the cost and logistics of hosting an on-site audit.
Virtual operations are eligible. The physical footprint of your business is not a barrier. SQF certification applies to the management systems and controls you operate, not a specific facility.
Certification audits are annual and announced. There are no unannounced audits under the SQF Agents & Brokers Code unless specifically requested by your business or a customer.
Annual registration starts at $650 USD. This is one of the most accessible entry points for recognized third-party certification in the industry.
The Code is GFSI-aligned. SQF has been developed to align with GFSI benchmark requirements, with formal GFSI benchmarking of the Agents & Brokers Code expected in 2027.
The consequences under ALDI's policy are clear. Business partners that do not hold the required certification will not meet the criteria to supply ALDI. Loss or suspension of certification or a drop below the minimum accepted grade must be reported to ALDI's Buying department immediately. Failure to comply may result in temporary or permanent suspension of supply.
ALDI also reserves the right to conduct additional second-party ALDI Quality Audits (AQA) of its supply base at any time. In the event of an incident, such as a complaint trend or quality issue, sites may be audited with or without advance notice.
The risk of non-compliance is not abstract. For agents and brokers who supply ALDI exclusive brand products at scale, losing approved status has immediate commercial consequences.
SQF certification for agents and brokers begins with registration through the SQF Institute. From there, a certification body accredited by the program will conduct your audit — remotely, if you prefer.
The process involves:
1. Registering with SQFI and selecting an accredited certification body
2. Implementing the requirements of the SQF Agents & Brokers Code
3. Completing your audit (remote or onsite, announced)
4. Receiving your certificate and grade upon successful completion
5. Maintaining annual certification and reporting any changes to ALDI's Buying department
Again, please note that ALDI communicates its supplier policies directly to its suppliers. If you are an ALDI business partner, refer to communications provided directly by ALDI for the most current requirements and any updates.
For questions about SQF certification and what it takes to meet ALDI's requirements, contact Damien Alexander, SQFI Business Development to learn more.
Related resources:
SQFI has launched the SQF Agents & Brokers Code, a dedicated certification standard for businesses involved in the buying, selling, and facilitation of trade across food and general merchandise.
Food safety programs are evolving rapidly, and organizations are seeking practical guidance on preparing for the next phase of certification requirements.
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) new "askFSIS Live!" virtual sessions are designed to help small food plants connect directly with FSIS experts in a more accessible way.
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