Guide
What SGS-audited GMP means in practice for CPG buyers, what it covers, and why most label printers don't have it.
A buyer's guide to SGS-audited GMP in label printing
Most CPG brands don't think much about how their label vendor runs quality control — until a defective batch shows up at the dock or a regulator flags an inspection legend. That's when the gap between "we say we're careful" and "we have a system that proves it" becomes a real cost.
What GMP actually means
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is a set of standards covering everything from raw-material handling to finished-good inspection. In label printing, that translates to documented procedures for:
- Substrate and ink storage with lot tracking
- Press setup verification before each run
- In-process quality checks at defined frequencies
- Finished-goods inspection and release
- Non-conformance handling and corrective action
Why third-party auditing matters
You can claim GMP. SGS auditing means an outside firm — not your label vendor — has reviewed your procedures, watched your team execute them, and signed off. The standard itself isn't the differentiator. Independent verification is.
What to ask your current vendor
- Are you audited to a published quality standard? By whom?
- How often is the audit performed?
- What does your QMS catch before it reaches my dock?
- Can you walk me through a non-conformance and how it was resolved?
If the answers are vague, the system probably is too. Quality is a system, not an apology — and it's measurable.