Yes. The SQF Agents and Brokers Code is intended for organizations that source products and facilitate trade, even where they do not directly handle food.
If your organization sources, approves or facilitates suppliers without physically handling food, the SQF Agents and Brokers Code introduces a more formal framework for accountability. Supplier approval decisions are often managed across multiple teams, systems and supplier relationships, and as expectations become more formalized, you need a clear, auditable approach that demonstrates control, consistency and due diligence.
We help you interpret the requirements of the Code, assess your current systems and identify the practical steps needed to strengthen readiness. With deep expertise in food assurance and supply chain governance, we provide independent support across supplier approval, traceability and risk-based decision-making.
Respond to the SQF Agents and Brokers Code with confidence
- Reduce supplier governance riskWe help you close gaps in supplier governance and documentation before they affect compliance or customer confidence.
- Demonstrate due diligenceStrengthen your ability to evidence sound, risk-based decisions to customers and auditors.
- Strengthen internal controlsUnderstand the requirements of the Code and reinforce the controls that support consistent, verifiable sourcing decisions.
- Act early and reduce disruptionAddress requirements ahead of time to limit disruption and support a confident, well-managed implementation.
- Build certification readinessEstablish a stronger foundation for long-term compliance and certification readiness.
How we support your SQF Agents and Brokers Code readiness
- Scope determinationWe help you establish whether your business falls within the scope of the SQF Agents and Brokers Code.
- Gap assessmentWe assess your current systems against the expected requirements of the Code to identify where action is needed.
- Controls reviewWe review your supplier approval, traceability and documentation controls to confirm they support verifiable decisions.
- Risk-based sourcing guidanceWe provide guidance on risk-based sourcing and auditable decision-making processes.
- Implementation roadmapWe develop a practical roadmap that prioritizes actions by business risk and guides you toward implementation and audit readiness.
Why SGS?
As the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, we bring deep expertise in food assurance and supply chain governance to every engagement. Our independent approach means you can rely on objective, evidence-based support as you respond to the SQF Agents and Brokers Code.
We work alongside agents, brokers and food businesses to interpret requirements, identify gaps and build a practical pathway to compliance and certification readiness – combining global testing, inspection and certification expertise with an understanding of your operational realities.
FAQ
A practical first step is to review how supplier approval, monitoring and sourcing decisions are currently managed across your business. A structured gap assessment can then identify where controls, records or governance may need to be strengthened.
Yes. We can support scoping, gap assessment, system review and practical planning to help your organization progress toward compliance and certification readiness with confidence.
Business Assurance
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Auckland, New Zealand