ShelfSafe Store Certification – the Certificate Shoppers Can Scan
South Africa’s independent shelf-compliance certificate for food retailers: audited, graded Silver to Platinum, valid for six months and verifiable by any shopper with a phone.
The certificate shoppers can scan.
ShelfSafe is South Africa’s independent shelf-compliance certificate. Our auditors check a store for expired stock, rotation, cold chain, labelling, recalls and hygiene. Stores that pass get a six-month certificate and a QR sticker for the window. Anyone can scan it to see the store’s live rating, and whether the certificate is valid today.
- AuditIndependent, scored audit against the ShelfSafe standard.
- CertifySilver, Gold or Platinum certificate, valid for 6 months.
- DisplayQR window sticker links to the live public certificate.
- Spot-checkUnannounced visits. Fail one and the certificate is suspended.
Scan to verifythe live certificate
Certified Store
R5,000per store, every 6 monthsSupermarkets and chain branches
Certified Express
R2,500per store, every 6 monthsIndependents and forecourt shops
Community Certified
R750–R1,500per store, every 6 monthsSpaza and township shops, often supplier-sponsored
Group / Head Office
Volume pricing20+ branchesChain-wide dashboard and branch league tables
More from our Quality Control division
48-hour recall sweep
When a supplier issues a recall, our agents clear every affected store nationally and send photo proof of removal.
Short-date recovery
Stock flagged early is moved to discount channels or food banks before it expires, so suppliers recover value instead of writing it off.
Shelf Health Index
Data for suppliers showing where expired-stock risk is highest, by region, retailer and product.
Spaza compliance pathway
We help township stores get ready for their Certificate of Acceptability and ShelfSafe certification.
Three grades. Six months. No grey areas.
| Grade | Stars | Score needed |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | ★★★★★ | 90% or more |
| Gold | ★★★★ | 80–89% |
| Silver | ★★★ | 70–79% |
| Not certified | – | Below 70%, or any critical failure (expired stock on sale, hidden date codes, recalled stock on sale, pests) |
Live, not laminated
The window sticker links to a live page. If a certificate expires or is suspended after a failed spot check, shoppers see it immediately.
Renewal reminders built in
Stores are reminded 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry, and can book their renewal audit on WhatsApp.
Fake-proof
Every certificate number can be checked on the public register. A number that does not exist shows as not found.
Frequently asked questions
What is ShelfSafe certification?
How do shoppers check a ShelfSafe store?
How much does ShelfSafe certification cost?
How long is a ShelfSafe certificate valid?
Is ShelfSafe a government certificate?
Explore our other services
Merchandising & listing support
Get listed at retailers and cash-and-carries, with telesales and merchandising behind you.
Learn moreReverse logistics & returns
Store returns found, photographed, coded and approved by you – then collected or dumped.
Learn moreExpiry-date quality control
Field agents remove expired and short-dated stock before a shopper buys it.
Learn moreIndependent compliance audits
Unannounced, photo-backed shelf audits that branch staff cannot influence.
Learn moreReady to take control of your shelf?
Talk to us about merchandising, returns, quality control or ShelfSafe certification anywhere in South Africa.