Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and HARPS: side by side
Four supermarket programs in one table: who each applies to, the certificate underneath, what it adds, and how to tell which ones you need.
All four start from the same place: a recognised food safety certificate, usually SQF, BRCGS or FSSC 22000. Coles and Woolworths add their own requirements on top and assess them in the same audit. Aldi doesn’t publish its requirements, so you get them from your buyer. HARPS is one shared retailer standard for fresh produce, so growers and packers face one audit instead of five.
The four programs at a glance
Retailer documents change and most aren’t public. Confirm the current version with your buyer or certification body.
| Program | Who it applies to | Base certificate | What it adds | How you get in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coles | Coles Own Brand manufacturers (CFMSR) and branded food suppliers (Coles Supplier Requirements) | BRCGS, SQF or FSSC 22000 depending on product; Freshcare for some produce | Coles-specific clauses assessed in the same audit, plus the Ethical Sourcing Program | Through your Coles buyer and Coles supplier systems |
| Woolworths | Own brand and fresh food suppliers in the Woolworths Supplier Excellence (WSE) program | Level 1: a GFSI-recognised standard or the Woolworths Base Standard | Level 2: codes of practice and industry standards. Level 3: product specifications and supplier-specific requirements | By invitation from Woolworths; you then choose an approved certification body |
| Aldi | All Aldi Australia suppliers | Not published; ask your buyer | Business Partner Sustainability Standards, plus product and testing policies on the supplier portal | Online supplier application; Aldi asks you to allow 14 days for a response |
| HARPS | Fresh produce suppliers to Aldi, Coles, Costco, Metcash and Woolworths | A base food safety certification such as Freshcare | Shared retailer requirements, such as chemical residue testing against the Food Standards Code limits | Your retailer asks for it; a certification body then audits you against HARPS |
Sources: SGS, BSI and LRQA scheme pages, Coles Quality Academy, Aldi Australia supplier pages and HARPS Version 2.0 scheme rules (29 Sep 2025). Detail for each retailer is on the Coles, Woolworths and Aldi pages.
Start with what you make and who sells it
You make a supermarket’s own brand
Expect the full retailer layer: Coles CFMSR or Woolworths WSE on top of a GFSI certificate, product specifications, and ethical sourcing audits.
You sell your own brand into supermarkets
Usually a GFSI certificate plus the retailer’s addendum, such as the Coles Supplier Requirements, assessed in the same audit.
You grow or pack fresh produce
HARPS on top of a base certification such as Freshcare. One HARPS audit covers all five retailers it represents.
You supply more than one retailer
Keep one record system and map each retailer’s extra clauses to it. Most of the evidence is the same; the add-ons are what catch people out.
Most of the work is the same for all four
Whichever retailer you supply, auditors look for the same core evidence. Get this right once and every program gets easier:
- A current HACCP plan with CCP monitoring and verification records.
- The prerequisite programs: cleaning, pest control, allergens, calibration, training.
- An approved supplier list with current certificates.
- Corrective actions closed with evidence, not just signed off.
- Product specifications that match what you actually make and label.
The full list is in the 10 records auditors ask for first. If you are still choosing a base certificate, start with SQF vs BRCGS vs FSSC 22000.
Ethical sourcing is a separate audit
Food safety certification doesn’t cover it. Each retailer runs its own program.
Coles
Ethical Sourcing Program, for Own Brand and branded fresh produce suppliers: Sedex or Fair Farms membership, a social audit on a 12 to 36-month cycle, and findings closed within 120 days.
Woolworths
Responsible Sourcing Program: sites are risk-rated, and Woolworths accepts audit schemes such as SMETA, amfori BSCI and Fair Farms.
Aldi
Business Partner Sustainability Standards apply to every supplier, and you’re expected to report any non-compliance yourself.
One set of records for every retailer
EthicalHub keeps your CCP records, supplier certificates and corrective actions in one place, flags certificates before they expire, and builds the audit pack your auditor asks for. When a second retailer comes along, the core evidence is already there.
How ready are you for a retailer audit?
Answer 11 questions and get a readiness score with your biggest gaps.
Retailer audit programs: common questions
Do Coles, Woolworths and Aldi accept the same certificate?
What is HARPS?
Do I need a separate audit for each supermarket?
Where can I read Coles’ or Woolworths’ food safety requirements?
One record system. Every retailer.
See how EthicalHub keeps you audit-ready for Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and HARPS.