SQF Certification: Codes, Levels, and Categories

The SQF Program includes two standards, referred to as codes, which are based on the food safety principles and method of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points):

• SQF 1000 Code is designed for primary producers including growers of produce and grains as well as suppliers involved in the production and harvest of livestock and fish.
• SQF 2000 Code is designed for the manufacturing and distribution sectors of the food supply chain.

Each SQF Code allows for certification at one of three levels, all of which incorporate continuous improvement:

• Level 1: Food Safety Fundamentals
  Designed primarily for suppliers of low risk products, this level requires the implementation of pre-requisite programs (PRPs) incorporating fundamental food safety controls.
• Level 2: Certified HACCP Food Safety Plans
  Designed as the minimum level for suppliers of high risk products, Level 2 incorporates all Level 1 requirements and also requires a comprehensive HACCP-based food safety risk assessment of products and processes. After documenting the risk assessment, the supplier must also complete an action plan to manage food safety hazards.
• Level 3: Comprehensive Quality Management Systems Development
  In addition to the requirements of Levels 1 and 2, suppliers are required to identify the controls for ensuring consistent product quality, and do so by completing and documenting a food quality assessment of products and associated processes. Level 3 Certified Suppliers may use the SQF certification trade mark symbol.

If a supplier is seeking SQF Certification because of a customer mandate, the customer will typically specify which level is required. Those forward-thinking suppliers who don’t currently have a customer mandate but want to get a leg up on the competition or be prepared for any “writing on the wall” typically choose to go with at least Level 2 which is the minimum level recognized by GFSI.

Food Sector Categories: SQF has divided the food supply chain into a series of Food Sector Category (FSC) Codes in order to provide a uniform approach to managing the program. All SQF Auditors have been qualified by the SQF Institute for each FSC in which they audit. In particular, qualification for high risk categories requires auditors to demonstrate even more extensive training and work experience than is required for low or general risk categories.

Scope of Certification: SQF Certification is site and product specific. This means that each site requires its own certificate and you, as the supplier, must identify all products produced at a particular site which need to be covered by the certification. A site could include different premises in close proximity to each other as long as all activities are overseen by the same senior management. (See SQF Guidance for multi-sites which are defined differently and uniquely by SQF). The scope of certification for a particular site, then, includes the applicable SQF Code and Level, as well as a complete list of products or product lines with their corresponding Food Sector Category Codes. Please note, however, that although specific products and product lines are included in the scope of certification, only the SQF Food Safety and Quality Management System is actually being certified.