SQF Edition 10 released; audits expected to start no earlier than January 2, 2027
Key facts
- Type / category
- Standard / Standard revision
- Status
- Final
- Agency
- SQFI
- Source date
- Effective date
- Sectors
- Food
- Standards
- SQF
The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) released Edition 10 of the SQF Code on March 2, 2026. SQFI describes Edition 10 as more than a routine update, with a fully digitized format that includes a Code Selector to help sites identify the right Code for their scope.
In its Edition 10 FAQ, SQFI says audits to Edition 10 are anticipated to begin on January 2, 2027. That date depends on progress of the GFSI benchmarking application and could move later, but SQFI states that Edition 10 audits will not begin any earlier than January 2, 2027. SQFI's guidance on which edition to use says audits scheduled on or after the start date will be to Edition 10; until then, Edition 9 remains the edition used for audits.
SQF certification is voluntary, but many retailers and buyers require it. Sites already certified to Edition 9 can use the time before the start date to compare their programs against the Edition 10 requirements for their food sector category.
What it means for labs
If your lab is SQF certified, or supports clients that are, it may help to review Edition 10 requirements for your sector before your first audit on or after January 2, 2027, and to check SQFI for any change to the start date if GFSI benchmarking is delayed.
Sources
- SQFI: Edition 10 FAQ (opens in new tab)Official source · SQFI
- SQFI blog: SQF Edition 10 Is Here (Mar 2, 2026) (opens in new tab)Official source · SQFI
- SQFI: Which Edition of the SQF Code Should I Use? (opens in new tab)Secondary source · SQFI
This summary is for general information and may not reflect later changes. Always check the official source linked above. It isn't legal or regulatory advice, and Micro-Core Consulting isn't affiliated with the agencies or standards bodies named.