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A Certification Body (CB) is an approved, independent organisation that audits food businesses against the Safe to Trade Standard. They assess safety practices, verify compliance and issue certification. Shield Safety is the first UK CB to offer this service —and more certification bodies will be joining the programme soon.
Watch this space!
Become an accredited Safe to Trade Certification Body and help raise the standards of food safety across the UK. This guide outlines the full registration process, eligibility criteria, and ongoing requirements for Certification Bodies.
To apply for registration, Certification Bodies must be accredited to ISO/IEC 17065 or actively pursuing accreditation. This ensures compliance with international standards and guarantees impartiality and competence.
Applicants must fill out the official Safe to Trade registration form and submit a comprehensive two-year business plan detailing their strategy for implementing the scheme.
Once the business plan is approved, Certification Bodies must provide:
Applicants must submit:
After paying the registration fee, Certification Bodies receive provisional registration status, granting access to the Safe to Trade® Directory and enabling auditor registration.
All personnel involved in Safe to Trade activities must complete role-specific training courses to ensure consistent standards and competency across audits.
Within the first 12 months of registration, Certification Bodies must:
To expand into additional Safe to Trade® standards, Certification Bodies must:
“I’m extremely proud of the team for attaining this accreditation. We pride ourselves on offering an outstanding experience to our customers within a safe, attractive environment and to achieve such a high standard, following the unannounced on-site audits by Safe to Trade, is further testament to our commitment.”
“Safe to Trade audits have been very helpful in monitoring our continuous efforts to provide the highest standards of food hygiene to our guests. The independent certification is also an additional indicator to our guests that we prioritise their health and safety.”
“Achieving the Safe to Trade certification is a testament to our unwavering commitment to both food safety and customer satisfaction. It highlights our continuous efforts and dedication to upholding the highest standards across every aspect of our operations. Our guests can enjoy our food with confidence, knowing that we prioritize not only exceptional-tasting dishes but also the safety and well-being of everyone who visits any of our brands. This certification marks a significant milestone in our ongoing journey to deliver quality our guests can trust.”
“Safe To Trade will provide an additional recognisable Certification demonstrating we operate in a safe hygienic environment for the benefit of our Customers and Teams. Safe to Trade establishes confidence within our Kitchens and Food service areas and validates that we are best in class amongst our peers.”
You can download the full Safe to Trade Hospitality UK Food Safety and Hygiene Standard (v1.4) as a free PDF—a comprehensive, assured guide aligned with UK food safety legislation and Primary Authority Assured Advice.
Prefer a printed copy?
A professionally bound version is available to purchase below.
Download the Safe to Trade Hospitality UK Food Safety and Hygiene Standard (v1.4)
Safe to Trade is underpinned by a robust governance structure. Bringing together a formidable team of the brightest minds from across the industry. Including renowned experts, professionals qualified to the highest level, industry leaders and consumers.
