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Testing, inspection and certification company SGS has partnered with dairy giant Yili Group, aiming to advance quality and sustainability across the dairy sector.

The partnership, announced on 24 October 2025, aims to promote full-chain mutual trust and global standardisation across dairy production, safety, sustainability and innovation.

An agreement was signed by the two companies earlier in the month (9 October) at Yili Modern Smart Health Valley, located in China’s Inner Mongolia region. Jian Wang, SGS’ general manager for Agriculture and Food, China, signed for SGS, while Yili was represented by Lyu Zhuyong, general manager of its Quality Management department.

Before the ceremony, the SGS delegation toured Yili’s National Dairy Technology Innovation Center, Chilechuan Ecological Smart Pasture and Yili Modern Smart Health Valley. During the tour, Yili showcased how it integrates digitalisation, low-carbon practices and intelligent systems across its value chain.

Both teams discussed forage cultivation, milk supply quality, sustainable manufacturing and product innovation, aiming to strengthen SGS’ understanding of China’s dairy sector.

Through the collaboration, the two companies will work to deliver a range of integrated solutions. These will include safety and nutrition solutions across testing, inspection, certification, training and consultancy.

They will also deliver specialised training and consultancy around ‘lab empowerment;’ joint zero-carbon initiatives – including carbon reduction services such as audits and certification; and digital integration, linking SGS and Yili systems for seamless testing and data exchange.

Charles Ly Wa Hoi, head of Connectivity and Products, and Health and Nutrition, at SGS, attended the signing as a witness. He commented: “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.”

Yili Group’s vice president, Liu Dapeng, who also attended as witness, said: “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.”