SGS, Yili Group sign global agreement to advance dairy quality & sustainability

JAPAN – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection, and Certification Company, has signed a global cooperation agreement with Yili Group, one of the world’s top five dairy enterprises.

This partnership promotes mutual trust across the full dairy supply chain and global standardization in dairy production, safety, sustainability, and innovation.

The partnership aims to deliver integrated solutions that enhance safety and nutrition through rigorous testing and certification, empower laboratories with specialized training, and advance joint zero-carbon initiatives through comprehensive carbon-reduction audits and certification services.

During the tour, both teams discussed forage cultivation, milk supply quality, sustainable manufacturing and product innovation, strengthening SGS’s understanding of China’s high-quality dairy sector.

Charles Ly Wa Hoi, SGS, said: “As a globally trusted leader in quality and integrity, SGS will play a pivotal role in advancing Yili’s global development strategy of ‘Comprehensive Value Leadership.’ We look forward to working together to build a sustainable future for healthy food.”

Before the ceremony, the SGS delegation toured Yili’s National Dairy Technology Innovation Center, Chilechuan Ecological Smart Pasture and Yili Modern Smart Health Valley.

They gained firsthand insight into how Yili integrates digitalization, low-carbon practices and intelligent systems across its value chain – ‘from a blade of grass to a glass of milk’. 

Liu Dapeng, Yili Group, added: “The belief that ‘Yili means quality’ is deeply embedded in our corporate culture. Our long-standing partnership with SGS in food safety reflects this commitment. Today’s agreement is a promise to global consumers – Yili and SGS will jointly demonstrate the quality and reliability of China’s dairy industry to the world.”

 The signing took place on October 9, 2025, at Yili Modern Smart Health Valley, with Jian Wang, General Manager, Agriculture and Food, China, signing for SGS and Lyu Zhiyong, General Manager of Yili’s Quality Management Department, representing Yili. Charles Ly Wa Hoi, Head of Connectivity & Products and Health & Nutrition at SGS, and Liu Dapeng, Vice President of Yili Group, attended as witnesses.

About SGS  

SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection, and Certification company. It operates a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals.

With over 145 years of service excellence, it combines the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance, and sustainability.

Subscribe to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa, the Middle East and around the world. SUBSCRIBE HERE