amfori Quality Management Initiative (QMI)

Quality management is an essential element of every global supply chain and of paramount importance for organisations. The amfori Quality Management Initiative (QMI) is an integrated strategic approach to building a responsible and sustainable supply chain for global buyers, brands, and retailers.

TÜV SÜD helps companies in the non-food FMCG and retail industry improve their quality management capabilities. Our streamlined and efficient amfori QMI audit cover four key aspects:

    • Infrastructure, system and environment

    • Product design

    • Incoming materials quality control

    • Production control

Many companies understand the importance of quality management. They invest a considerable amount of time and resources in verifying and evaluating the compliance of suppliers’ quality systems. However, complex processes, lost information, and lack of visibility make it difficult to achieve in terms of sustainability and efficiency.

Many non-food retailers and organisations share similar quality requirements and have overlapping supplier bases. Most of them have developed their own bespoke checklists and grading systems to audit their suppliers individually. This creates duplication of effort, wasting time and resources.

An amfori QMI audit of your supply chain uses a common standard to benchmark and identify sustainable producers. This strategic and multi-dimensional approach minimises the resources (efforts, time, and money) required to monitor the quality management capability of multiple producers.

amfori QMI audit results identify areas for improvement, compare data across the global supply chain, and transform information into concrete insights and actions. During the audit process this comprehensive compliance programme always ensures strict business integrity.

TÜV SÜD recognises the importance of quality management across the supply chain and is accredited to conduct amfori QMI audits. Our global network of specialists provides multidisciplinary expertise on a wide range of auditing and certification services in key markets. Our comprehensive services support companies that require auditing and certification against quality management systems and social compliance programmes. We can also integrate your existing processes with other management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, amfori BSCI, SMETA, RBA, SA8000®, and CoC.

As part of our commitment to unparalleled service quality, our inspectors and auditors are required to adhere to our strict Code of Conduct. This ensures the expert opinions they provide are professional, independent, and impartial.

As a third-party auditing body, TÜV SÜD conducts audits in accordance with amfori QMI. We offer worldwide support with competent and fully accredited local auditors. We use the following six-step process as part of our amfori QMI audit:

Six steps to amfori QMI audit success:

    1. Sign amfori QMI Terms of Implementation (TOI).

    2. Request an audit via the online amfori sustainability platform.

    3. Complete the audit application to obtain a customised quote.

    4. Undergo an announced, semi-announced, or unannounced audit visit.

    5. Complete a corrective action plan to improve compliance.

    6. If required, undergo a follow-up audit within a designated time frame.