Implementing SQF Systems Edition 10 Training
Join this Implementing SQF Systems Edition 10 training to implement or update an SQF Food Manufacturing system. You will prepare for a third-party certification or re-certification audit.
About this Implementing SQF Systems Edition 10 training
This Implementing SQF Systems Edition 10 training gives you a clear understanding of the SQFI Food Safety Code: Food Manufacturing Edition 10. You will learn how to implement or update SQF Systems, so you can prepare for a third-party certification or re-certification audit.
Specifically, the course covers the Food Manufacturing Edition 10 requirements, prerequisite programs, and the food safety plan. That includes the food safety culture assessment plan, Core Clause scoring, environmental monitoring, and change management. In addition, you will learn how to implement, maintain, and audit the SQF system. Therefore, it is a fit for people who prepare and implement SQF systems, including SQF Practitioners.
However, you should already understand how to apply HACCP principles before you attend. See BQUALI’s HACCP training if you still need that prerequisite. The full live virtual schedule lists this course with BQUALI’s other food-safety classes.
December 1–2, 2026
Two days, 9 AM–5 PM EST (New York) each day. Additional public dates are listed below, or book a private session for your team.
Course fee: $800 US.
SQF Edition 10 training schedule
All classes are live virtual, 9 AM–5 PM EST (New York), so you can attend from anywhere. The course fee is $800 US.
What’s new in SQF Edition 10
SQFI published SQF Food Safety Code Edition 10 in March 2026. It is a digital-first Code, with a Code Selector to identify the right Code for a site’s scope. In addition, it raises expectations around measurable food safety culture, environmental monitoring, and preventative controls. However, a printer-friendly PDF of the Code is still available.
Key changes versus Edition 9
- A new food safety culture assessment plan is required in all Edition 10 Food Safety Codes, covering communication, training, feedback, and regular measurement and evaluation
- A revised audit scoring model keeps the 100-minus-deductions approach, but adds weighted Core Clauses so findings in foundational controls count more
- For Food Manufacturing, SQFI identifies Core Clauses including management commitment, allergen management, sanitation, food safety planning, environmental monitoring, approved supplier programs, product identification, corrective and preventative action, and foreign material control
- Greater emphasis on management commitment, environmental monitoring and preventative controls, including a site-specific hazard analysis for pathogen monitoring
- Raised expectations for change management, so significant changes to processes, products or systems that affect food safety are evaluated before they happen
- The Code is digital-first, with embedded resource links and real-time translations; sites can still print or download a PDF
Who should attend
- Individuals involved in preparing and implementing SQF systems
- SQF Practitioners and substitute practitioners
- Teams implementing or updating a Food Manufacturing SQF system to Edition 10
Edition 10 includes 10 industry-specific Food Safety Codes, plus the Quality Code. However, this course focuses on the Food Safety Code: Food Manufacturing. Agents and Brokers and Food Safety Services are still listed by SQFI under Edition 9.
| Finding | Edition 9 deduction | Edition 10 deduction |
|---|---|---|
| Minor non-conformance | 1 point | 1 point (2 points if a Core Clause) |
| Major non-conformance | 5 points | 5 points (7 points if a Core Clause) |
| Critical non-conformance | 50 points | 50 points |
Scoring and Core Clause details are from SQFI’s Which Code Edition Should I Use guidance and Edition 10 FAQ. Confirm any site-specific questions with your certification body or SQFI.
Edition 10 transition timeline
This course is taught to Edition 10. The timeline below is audit context only. SQFI anticipates Edition 10 audits from January 2, 2027, pending GFSI benchmarking. Until then, sites audited before that date remain on Edition 9.
Edition 10 published
The Edition 10 Food Safety and Quality Codes are available. SQFI’s digital Code Selector, guidance, checklists and change documents are posted on sqfi.com.
Edition 9 audits continue
If your audit takes place before the Edition 10 implementation date, you will be audited to Edition 9. Until Edition 10 is recognized by GFSI, Edition 9 remains the only GFSI-recognized SQF program. This is the window for a gap assessment, culture plan work and scoring preparation.
Edition 10 audits expected to begin
SQFI anticipates Edition 10 audits will begin on January 2, 2027. That date may move later depending on GFSI benchmarking, but audits to Edition 10 will not start earlier. Audits on or after the implementation date are expected to be to Edition 10, with one exception: an Edition 9 surveillance audit that falls after that date stays on Edition 9. Certification bodies will not mix the two editions in one audit.
Timeline based on SQFI’s Edition 10 FAQ and transition guidance. Check sqfi.com for any date changes.
Training a whole team?
Run a private Implementing SQF Systems Edition 10 training session for your team. You get flexible dates, group rates starting from 5 participants, and examples tailored to your products and processes. The session is live virtual from anywhere, or on-site.
Frequently asked questions
Questions? Email info@bquali.com.
Course details
What is the prerequisite?
You should already understand how to apply HACCP principles. That is also a separate SQF Code requirement for SQF Practitioners. See BQUALI’s HACCP training.
What edition is the course taught to?
This course is taught to the SQF Food Safety Code: Food Manufacturing Edition 10.
How long is the course and how is it delivered?
Two days, live virtual and instructor-led, 9 AM–5 PM EST (New York) each day.
Edition 10 audits and the practitioner requirement
When do Edition 10 audits start?
SQFI anticipates that audits to Edition 10 will begin on January 2, 2027. That date depends on completion of GFSI benchmarking and may move later. Audits to Edition 10 will not start earlier than January 2, 2027. Until Edition 10 is recognized by GFSI, Edition 9 remains the only GFSI-recognized SQF program.
Which edition will my site be audited against?
If your audit takes place before the Edition 10 implementation date, you will be audited to Edition 9. Audits on or after that date are expected to be to Edition 10, once GFSI benchmarking is complete. If an Edition 9 audit triggered a surveillance audit that falls after the implementation date, that surveillance audit stays on Edition 9. Certification bodies will not mix requirements from both editions in a single audit. Confirm your cycle with your certification body.
Will I meet the SQF Practitioner training requirement?
SQFI says Implementing SQF Systems training is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended for new practitioners. This course is designed to give you a clear understanding of the SQF Food Safety Code: Food Manufacturing Edition 10. However, HACCP training remains a separate Code requirement for SQF Practitioners.
Dates, conversion courses, and certification
When is the next class?
The next public session is December 1–2, 2026, 9 AM–5 PM EST (New York) each day. Email info@bquali.com for other dates, or request a private session for your team.
Is this an Edition 10 conversion course?
No. This is the full two-day Implementing SQF Systems Edition 10 training, taught to the SQF Food Safety Code: Food Manufacturing Edition 10. It is for people who implement or update an SQF system, including SQF Practitioners. It is not a short conversion workshop.
Will this course certify my site to SQF?
No. This course trains your people. SQF certification comes only from an audit by an SQFI-licensed certification body.