GFSI Certification Services
Demonstrate your commitment to food safety and quality with independent certification audits against internationally recognized food safety standards. Mérieux NutriSciences Certification LLC provides third-party certification services for food manufacturers, processors, distributors, and supply chain organizations seeking certification against applicable Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked schemes.
Use of consulting, training, or testing services has no impact on the outcome of auditing certification services.
GFSI Benchmarked Certification Services
Mérieux NutriSciences Certification LLC is an independent subsidiary of Mérieux NutriSciences offering certification services for internationally recognized food safety schemes.
Accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JASANZ), our certification body conducts independent audits against applicable certification standards within its approved accreditation scope.
Explore our certification services to identify the standard that aligns with your operations, customer requirements, and supply chain.
BRCGS Global Standard Food Safety Certification
BRCGS Food Safety certification provides a framework for evaluating food safety, quality, and operational controls within food manufacturing and processing facilities.
Our independent certification audits assess conformity with applicable BRCGS Food Safety requirements, helping organizations demonstrate their food safety management practices to customers and supply chain partners.
Explore BRCGS Global Standard >>
BRCGS Storage and Distribution Certification
BRCGS Storage and Distribution certification addresses product safety, quality, and operational controls throughout storage, warehousing, and distribution activities.
Independent certification audits evaluate applicable processes and management systems to determine conformity with the standard.
Explore BRCGS Storage and Distribution Standards >>
FSSC 22000 Certification
FSSC 22000 is a food safety management system certification scheme based on ISO 22000, applicable prerequisite programs, and additional scheme requirements.
Our certification audits assess whether an organization's food safety management system meets the applicable FSSC 22000 requirements.
GLOBALG.A.P. Certification
GLOBALG.A.P. certification supports the evaluation of agricultural production practices against applicable standards covering food safety and responsible production.
Our certification services assess conformity with relevant GLOBALG.A.P. requirements within our approved certification scope.
IFS Logistics Certification
IFS Logistics certification addresses product safety and quality management across logistics activities, including storage, transportation, and distribution.
Independent audits evaluate relevant processes and controls against applicable IFS Logistics requirements.
SQF Certification
Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification is designed to help food businesses demonstrate conformity with recognized food safety management requirements.
Our SQF certification audits support organizations across applicable supply chain sectors, including food manufacturing, packaging, storage, and distribution.
Explore SQF Certification Services >>
What Is GFSI Certification?
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is an industry-led initiative that benchmarks food safety certification programs against internationally recognized requirements.
GFSI does not directly certify food facilities. Instead, businesses obtain certification through an accredited certification body against a GFSI-recognized certification scheme, such as SQF, BRCGS, or FSSC 22000.
These certifications help organizations demonstrate that their food safety management systems meet defined requirements and may support customer, retailer, and supplier approval processes.
Understanding the Food Safety Certification Process
Although requirements vary by certification scheme, the certification process generally includes:
- Application and scope review: Confirm the requested certification scheme, facility activities, and applicable scope.
- Audit planning: Establish the audit approach and scheduling requirements.
- Certification audit: Conduct an independent assessment against applicable standard requirements.
- Nonconformity management: Review required corrective actions and supporting evidence, where applicable.
- Certification decision: An authorized, independent decision-making process determines whether certification requirements have been met.
- Ongoing certification: Complete applicable surveillance, recertification, or other scheme-specific audit requirements.
Certification is dependent on successful completion of the applicable requirements and is not guaranteed.
GFSI Certification Resources
Access educational resources covering food safety certification requirements, audit expectations, and industry best practices.
Feedback, Complaints & Appeals
As part of its quality management system, Mérieux NutriSciences Certification LLC maintains procedures for receiving and addressing customer feedback, complaints, and appeals.
These procedures support transparency, impartiality, and the integrity of certification activities.
View Our Standard Procedures >>
Contact Our Certification Team >>
Use of consulting, training, or testing services has no impact on the outcome of auditing certification services.
Frequently Asked Questions About GFSI Certification
Choosing a GFSI-recognized certification standard depends on your business operations, products, facility activities, and customer requirements. Common schemes include SQF, BRCGS, and FSSC 22000. An accredited certification body can explain applicable certification scopes and audit requirements to help you understand your options.
Consider the following factors:
- Business operations: Food manufacturing, processing, agricultural production, packaging, storage, or distribution.
- Customer requirements: Certification schemes specified by retailers, manufacturers, or supply chain partners.
- Certification scope: Activities, products, processes, and locations covered by the applicable standard.
- Existing food safety systems: Current management systems, documented controls, and operational processes.
- Accreditation requirements: Availability of an accredited certification body for the required scheme and scope.
Our certification team can provide information about available schemes, audit requirements, and the certification process without compromising the independence of certification decisions.
The timeline varies based on the certification scheme, facility readiness, audit scheduling, and resolution of any identified nonconformities. The certification body can explain the applicable audit and certification requirements.
GFSI-recognized certification is not universally required by law. However, retailers, food manufacturers, and other supply chain partners may require certification as a condition of doing business.
GFSI certification commonly refers to certification against a food safety scheme recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative. GFSI itself does not issue certifications.
All three provide structured approaches to food safety certification, but they differ in their requirements, frameworks, and applicability. The most suitable scheme depends on facility operations, customer expectations, and certification scope.
Examples include SQF, BRCGS Food Safety, and FSSC 22000. Recognition varies by scheme, version, and scope, so organizations should verify the current recognition status of the specific program.