In brief

		SGS Corporate Video (EN) Exactly what is it that we do at SGS? Watch our corporate video to find out how we make business faster, simpler and more efficient, giving our clients a real competitive edge in the area of inspection, verification, testing and certification

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. Recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity, we employ over 56,000 people and operate a network of more than 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world.

We are constantly looking beyond customers’ and society’s expectations in order to deliver market leading services wherever they are needed. As the leader in providing specialized business solutions that improve quality, safety and productivity and reduce risk, we help customers navigate an increasingly regulated world. Our independent services add significant value to our customers’ operations and ensure business sustainability..

Our Vision

We aim to be the most competitive and the most productive service organization in the world. Our core competencies in inspection, verification, testing and certification are being continuously improved to be best-in-class. They are at the heart of what we are. Our chosen markets will be solely determined by our ability to be the most competitive and to consistently deliver unequalled service to our customers all over the world.

Our History

Established in 1878, the company started by offering agricultural inspection services to grain traders in Europe. From those early beginnings, we grew in size and scope as our agricultural inspection services spread around the world. On 19 July 1919, the company adopted the name of Société Générale de Surveillance (today, known as SGS). During the mid 20th century, we began to diversify and started offering inspection, testing and verification services across a variety of sectors, including industrial, minerals and oil, gas and chemicals among others. In 1981, the company went public.

The current structure of SGS, consisting of 10 business segments operating across 10 geographical regions, was formed in 2001. From our beginnings in 1878 as a grain inspection house, we have steadily grown into our role as the industry leader. We have done this through continual improvement and innovation and through supporting our customers’ operations by reducing risk and improving productivity.

Our Value

We help customers all over the world operate in a more sustainable manner by improving quality and productivity, reducing risk, verifying compliance and increasing speed to market. Our range of services cover all industry sectors and touch the products and services that consumers around the world rely on countless times in their everyday lives. From the energy that powers the cars we drive and the homes we live in, from the food on our plates to the clothes on our back, from the quality of the air we breathe to the safety of the pharmaceuticals we take, SGS provides independent services that make a difference in people’s lives. At the end of the day, our value lies in what our services make possible for our customers and, ultimately, for their consumers.

Our Expertise and Activities

Agricultural Services (AGRI)

We help ensure the integrity of the food chain by providing services that cover all aspects of the agricultural industry, from helping customers manage crops from seed development and soil testing through to harvesting and moving product through the global supply chain to trade inspection at export or import. Serving all of the major players in the agricultural sector, our services reduce risk and ensure quality and improve productivity.

Minerals Services (MIN)

The services we provide range from quality and quantity inspection and testing for a vast array of commodities to advanced services, which optimize the recovery of metals in processing plants. Our customers in this sector rely on us to provide them with expert services and advice, which help them gain competitive advantage while reducing risk.

Oil, Gas and Chemicals Services (OGC)

We help our customers protect and secure their businesses by delivering independent and accurate information through our global network of laboratories and experts. From exploration and production through midstream to consumption, we provide a wide range of services including blending, cargo treatment, sample management, logistics and laboratory outsourcing as well as tailored solutions that ensure product quality and increase flexibility for our customers.

Life Science Services (LSS)

Our customers in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry rely on us to provide them with outsourcing services on both the quality and safety of drug ingredients and the development process – from the early development stages until the commercialization of the finished product. Our ClinicalTrials services and Quality Control testing activities help improve efficiency, reduce costs and ensure the safety of pharmaceutical products.

Consumer Testing Services (CTS)

From textiles to appliances, furniture, food and electronics, our complete range of services ensure the quality and safety of every single kind of consumer product. Our customers in these distinct manufacturing industries rely on our inspection and testing capabilities and laboratories to help them comply with the regulatory requirements governing their products as well as to ensure the integrity of the inputs received from their suppliers and their suppliers’ suppliers.

Systems and Services Certification (SSC)

High performing business processes are at the heart of today’s economy. The audit and certification services we provide to a wide variety of customers allow them to enhance their business processes and get out in front of the issues affecting them. With our services they can deliver extra value, improve quality management and performance, minimize risk and gain a real advantage over the competition.

Industrial Services (IND)

Serving customers in the energy, process and construction industries, our teams of engineers and technicians ensure that the quality and safety of products or installations meet applicable requirements, whether they are regulatory, voluntary or customer specific. Our goal is to help to improve integrity, quality and efficiency, ensure safe and healthy working conditions as well as to minimize the environmental impact of industrial activities.

Environmental Services (ENVI)

We help governments and industry integrate environmental management into their operations by providing a comprehensive international network of laboratories and environmental experts who deliver analytical and data interpretation services at both a global and local level.

Automotive Services (AUTO)

We provide expert support for every participant in the automotive industry to improve performance and reduce risk. Our services focus on the design, construction and operation of motor vehicle inspection solutions throughout the world. Governments, manufacturers and financing and insurance companies as well as consumers rely on our independent, accurate and secure solutions to limit damages, improve remarketing of used cars and support road safety.

Governments and Institutions Services (GIS)

We support governments, institutions and partner organizations by applying valuable trade knowledge to verify trade information, set up electronic business processing and scanning operations and assess efficiency and legal compliance in aid delivery schemes and forestry operations. Our commitment is to sustain enforcement of regulations, economic growth, market visibility and accountability for our customers.