Now more than ever, consumers know what’s in their food and how it was produced. And they care more, too, thanks to pervasive news and social media. They want food that’s not only safer to eat, but also is produced by workers who are fairly treated, generates less waste and pollution, has minimal impact on nature, and comes from animals treated with respect. They want sustainability.

The market for responsibly sourced, sustainable foods is growing rapidly. According to data from Statista, over 80% of Americans want more environmentally-friendly food choices, 65% are willing to pay more at restaurants that are sustainable, and over one-third of Americans think eating sustainably produced food is important.

Negative press due to worker abuse, pollution, or destruction of natural resources is bad for a brand’s reputation, and consumers want to know more about what companies are doing to make sustainability a real priority. 

Our Solutions for Sustainability

QIMA/WQS champions sustainability by helping companies work to improve economic, social, and environmental conditions through informed business methods, better agricultural practices, and increased transparency. Key components of sustainability are ethical treatment of workers, animal welfare, reduction of meat-based food sources, limiting waste, and protecting natural resources.

QIMA/WQS provides audit and certification services that drive meaningful sustainability improvements through strategic planning, reporting, and certification. We are approved by GFSI recognized platforms to implement audit programs related to sustainable agriculture and responsible food supply chains. We are also engaged with industry leading programs pioneering the sustainability movement.

Sustainable Animal Production

• Animal Welfare Audits promote ethical animal production through auditor training and certification. In partnership with PAACO, QIMA/WQS helps companies demonstrate compliance with international standards and motivate teams to improve their processes aimed at animal welfare. 
• Raised Cage Free Certification, based on the standard developed by WQS-QIMA in partnership with PAC (Preparation Audit Consultants), aims to ensure that birds raised for food are treated with respect and properly cared for during their lives.

Sustainability Certifications 

• Leading Harvest Farmland Management Standard promotes principles of sustainable farming through adaptable guidelines that can be applied to any geography, crop type or management system. Leading Harvest’s 13 sustainability principles cover all aspects of sustainable agriculture from conservation of soil and water resources to supporting local communities, employees and farm labor.
• GLOBALG.A.P.’s Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) Standard covers all stages of production, and the following GLOBALG.A.P. + Add-ons enhance your certification with recognition for sustainability:
  • GRASP (GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice) assesses social practices on the farm, addressing aspects of workers’ health, safety, and welfare.
  • The NURTURE Module focuses on Plant Protection Product (PPP) management for primary suppliers of Tesco, requiring appropriate use of approved PPPs only and preventing introduction of non-compliant crops into the Tesco supply chain.
  • Chain of Custody: Evaluates the process of tracing a certified product through the entire supply chain, confirming the origin of the product from the farm and through the stages of marketing, grading, packaging, and storage until it reaches the end consumer.
• BRCGS Plant-Based Certification ensures the absence of animal inputs in plant-based products in the manufacturing, processing, and packing of processed foods, pet foods, natural health products, and ingredients for use by foodservice companies, catering companies, and food manufacturers.
• Rainforest Alliance aims to create a more sustainable world by using and market influences to protect nature and improve the lives of rural producers and communities. 
• 4C Certification seeks to improve economic, social, and environmental conditions for workers and communities involved in coffee production by evaluating a company’s compliance with good agricultural and management practices, international conventions, and guidelines accepted in the coffee sector.
• SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) compliance demonstrates a company’s adherence to International Labor Organization conventions and local laws for labor standards, health and safety, management systems, environment, and business ethics.

Do You Need a Sustainability Solution? 

• Add value to your products by demonstrating your dedication to sustainability.
• Improve your sustainability position through ethical and responsible sourcing, reduced energy consumption and waste.
• Reduce your exposure to risks impacting brand reputation associated by transparently engaging in sustainable practices.
• Improve the efficiency of your production processes and management systems while embracing sustainability goals.

Why Choose QIMA/WQS for Sustainability?

• Our team with over 30 years of experience in the food industry supply chain is ready to deliver end-to-end solutions to your business.
• We are specialized in the food industry, with a structure designed to facilitate and expedite the complex certification process and support you every step of the way.
• QIMA/WQS counts with locally experienced food auditors approved for multiple schemes across all food safety, quality, and sustainability areas.
• More than 9,000 satisfied clients at every stage of the food supply chain are proof of the quality, dedication, and success offered by QIMA/WQS.