Costco review

TÜV NORD, a leader in the field of food safety inspections and certifications around the world, starts the new decade even more dynamically, with its approval as one of the five (5) bodies worldwide to conduct assessments of food suppliers based on Costco's requirements and criteria.

The challenges today for food suppliers are many and complex, as they must maintain the trust of retailers and consumers, protect their brand and of course provide safe, high quality food. A prerequisite for meeting these needs, getting approved and getting their products into one of the largest food chains in the United States and Canada is to be evaluated against Costco's criteria.

 

It is worth noting that Costco generated net sales of approximately $138.4 billion in fiscal year 2017/2018, making it one of the largest food and transportation retailers. [Source: Statista.com]. The Canadian retailer only accepts suppliers that are listed through a certificate from approved entities.

Detailed information on the assessment methods can be found below:

1. "Small Supplier Audit" Scheduled Small Supplier Audit. Applies to suppliers <25 staff members who do not have a certification. Upon successful assessment, an unscheduled Costco GMP inspection or GFSI certification with the addition of Costco criteria is required for the following year (Costco Addendum) 

2. "Costco GMP Audit" Unannounced Costco GMP Audit - Costco criteria based on GFSI standards requirements. 

3. "GFSI Addendum Audit" Supplemental Audit - performed in conjunction with GFSI standards inspections (FSSC 22000, IFS Food, BRCGS V9 Food) to save suppliers cost and time.

The benefits to the supplier from the Costco Assessment are as follows: 

- Assessment by a trained inspector recognized by Costco

- Cost and time savings through joint GFSI standard inspections as a Costco supplier

- Market access to the Canadian retail industry as a Costco supplier

- Ability to conduct assessments/certification worldwide