There is often confusion about the relationship between GFSI and SQF or FSSC 22000 Certification. We will try to clear that up.
GFSI is a global food network made up of hundreds of retailers and manufacturers worldwide. The GFSI organization determined which set of requirements would be essential to a good food safety management system. GFSI recognizes (benchmarks) food safety standards that include those requirements.
GFSI recognizes certain food safety standards. So, if you become certified to one of those standards (SQF, FSSC 22000, BRC…) the certificate will be recognized by GFSI but the certificate itself will not come from GFSI but from the Standards Body you are certified to (SQF, FSSC 22000, BRC…)
If your customer or market is requesting that you become certified to a GFSI standard, then you can select one of the GFSI Benchmarked standards. These include:

• FSSC 22000 Version 4.1
• (Implementation Package Available)
• SQF  Edition 8 (Implementation Package Available)
• BRC Issue 7
• Global Aquaculture Alliance BAP Issue 2
• Global Red Meat Standard
• International Food Standard Version 6
• Canada GAP for primary production
• Global GAP for primary production

View a more detailed explanation and watch a tutorial video.

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