For years, food safety certification has centered on the businesses that physically touch products like manufacturers, processors, and distribution centers. But agents, brokers, traders, and importers who buy, sell, and facilitate trade without ever handling the goods themselves have had no certification path built specifically for them. That has changed.
The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) has released the SQF Agents & Brokers Code (Edition 9), a new certification standard designed from the ground up for organizations that source, represent, or move food and general merchandise through the supply chain. This includes businesses that operate entirely virtually, with no warehouse or facility at all.
If your company sources products, represents suppliers, or manages procurement for trading partners, this Code was built with you in mind and PJRFSI is here to help you understand it.
Who Is This Code For?
The SQF Agents & Brokers Code applies to organizations that:
- Buy, sell, or facilitate trade in food, feed, packaging, or general (non-food) merchandise
- Source products through domestic or import/export channels
- Represent suppliers or manage sourcing decisions on behalf of buyers
- Operate a fully virtual business with no physical handling of product
Why This Certification Matters Right Now
Agents and brokers play a bigger role in food safety than many people realize. Even without physically touching a product, decisions about supplier approval, traceability, documentation, and sourcing all run through their hands. Until now, there hasn’t been a formal certification standard designed to hold that part of the supply chain accountable.
Retailers have already taken notice. Major grocery chains, including Aldi, now require their agents and brokers to carry recognized third-party certification, and that expectation is likely to keep growing as supply chains face more scrutiny. For brokers who’ve historically leaned on the excuse of “I just facilitate the sale,” this Code changes the conversation. Certified organizations need to show real supplier approval processes, documented specifications, and traceability practices of their own.
What Does the Code Actually Require?
The SQF Agents & Brokers Code focuses on the areas where agents and brokers have the most influence, including:
- Supplier approval – a documented process for vetting the suppliers you represent or source from
- Traceability – the ability to trace a product through the trade relationship, even without physical handling
- Complaints management – a defined process for logging, investigating, and resolving complaints
- Documentation controls – accurate, organized records of transactions and product specifications
- Risk-based decision-making – a consistent approach to evaluating sourcing and supplier risk
The Code was also built with GFSI benchmark requirements in mind, with formal GFSI benchmarking anticipated in 2027.
How Certification Works
One of the best parts of this Code is how accessible it is for businesses that don’t operate out of a traditional facility:
- Audits can be completed 100% remotely. There is no travel required, which can mean real savings on audit costs.
- Audits happen annually and are scheduled in advance. Unannounced audits aren’t part of the standard process unless you or one of your customers’ requests one.
- Minimum audit length is half a day. Your certification body will determine the final length based on the size and complexity of your operation.
- Annual registration runs $650 USD, plus the audit fee charged by your certification body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my business need to physically handle products to qualify?
No. The Code is designed specifically for organizations that source, sell, or facilitate trade without taking physical possession of products, including fully virtual operations.
Is this only for food companies?
No. The Code covers both food and general (non-food) merchandise trade.
How long does the audit take?
Audits are a minimum of half a day, with the exact length depending on the size and complexity of your business, as determined by your certification body.
Will I need to travel for my audit?
Not necessarily. Certification under this Code can be completed entirely remotely.
How much does certification cost?
Annual registration is $650 USD, plus applicable audit fees. Costs vary by company, so the next best step is a free quote.
Ready to Get Started?
If your business buys, sells, or facilitates trade in food or general merchandise, the SQF Agents & Brokers certification is a straightforward way to show the people you work with that your sourcing and trade practices meet a recognized, GFSI-aligned standard.
Want to learn more or get a free quote from PJRFSI? Reach out to our team today to find out whether the SQF Agents & Brokers Code is the right fit for your business, and let’s get the certification process started.
