Costco Supplier Requirements

Costco accepts Distribution Center/ Warehouse Audits when conducted by a Costco approved audit company. Costco will accept either a GFSI Certification or an audit company’s unique Distribution Center / Warehouse Audit form.

Costco accepts cGMP audits (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) when conducted by a Costco approved audit company. cGMP audits verify that manufacturing facilities and processes are designed, implemented, monitored, and controlled appropriately.

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is the foundation of any food safety management system and an essential component for any food company in the supply chain. Costco GMP audits are required to be unannounced.

The audit must be conducted within a 90-day audit window from the date of the previous audit (45 days before/after audit anniversary date). Audit companies will contact suppliers to schedule audits within the specified timeframe.

Costco offers a Small Supplier Audit option for suppliers who meet certain criteria, such as having fewer than 25 employees and no previous third-party food safety audit. The Small Supplier Audit is designed as an introduction to Costco’s food safety program and is conducted on a one-time basis only.

Facilities that engage in animal processing or have an on-farm environment, such as those involved in raising laying hens or dairy cattle, are required to undergo an annual animal welfare audit or certification.

Costco also accepts other GFSI-recognized standards including SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000 and IFS.

A Costco GFSI Addendum must be completed for each GFSI scheme listed above.

Costco requires that all certification and recertification audits for food safety be current, meaning they must have been conducted within the past 12 months.

When a facility undergoes a Costco audit, the audit score is evaluated against Costco’s standards and expectations. If the facility does not meet the required score, a follow-up or second audit may be required within 3-6 months.