Our quality commitment

Lidl’s Quality Commitment

In order to develop our products responsibly and consistently maintain high quality, we engage in ongoing dialogue and exchange of ideas with producers and suppliers as part of our quality management system. All of our processes are designed with safety and quality in mind, so that our customers can rely on consistent quality in terms of taste, appearance, and composition of our products. Seasonality and regional characteristics are of particular importance when it comes to the quality of the raw materials we source. This is because the quality of agricultural products may vary depending on the season, soil and climate conditions, and the growing region. But one thing is certain: our customers can always count on the Lidl quality they’ve come to expect.

We monitor developments and implement changes in legislation. This includes, for example, EU regulations such as the Regulation on the labeling of foodstuffs, the Regulation on food additives (Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008), and the European Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices. Furthermore, it goes without saying that we comply with the provisions of national laws, which may also vary from one EU country to another. In addition, we establish minimum standards for our suppliers, e.g., regarding the use of pesticides in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, in order to ensure Lidl’s guaranteed quality at every stage. Specifically, we ensure that residue levels of active ingredients do not exceed one-third of the maximum legal limit. We also limit the total percentage of all active substance residues to 80% of the legal maximum limit and allow for the detection of up to five active substances in the residues.

As a globally active retail company, we rely on a large network of suppliers to ensure an uninterrupted supply chain, even in challenging times. This may mean that different suppliers are used for the same products sold by various Lidl national companies. As a result—while adhering to our specifications—production methods may vary slightly depending on the product, for example with regard to: • Production technology: Variations in product appearance are possible • Origin of raw materials: Suppliers source raw materials from their own various sources • Ingredients of equal value: In this sense, certain products may contain substitutes for some ingredients. In this context, a product containing vegetable oils may contain sunflower oil or rapeseed oil.

Short transport routes for products mean fresh products in the store. This reduces the distances traveled during transport and, at the same time, secures local jobs. Therefore, depending on the options available, we source fresh products from Greece or, at the very least, from an EU country. In the latter case, it is possible that some of our raw materials come from different suppliers but, due to local conditions, differ only slightly from one another.

Our Goal: Happy Customers

Our goal is to ensure our customers are always satisfied. For this reason, feedback and suggestions for improvement are always welcome. We immediately investigate reports regarding quality or safety issues with our products, and in serious cases, we immediately halt distribution of the product, notify our customers, and officially recall the affected product code. Preferences may vary from country to country. It goes without saying that we take this factor into account in our national strategy for our product range. In addition to the above, we are making efforts in the area of healthy eating, for example through our reduction strategy, under which we are working to gradually reduce the levels of ingredients such as salt and sugar in our products and increase the percentage of unsaturated fatty acids.

Award-Winning Quality

Many of our private-label products regularly receive accolades and top ratings in renowned product awards. For example, the International Taste Institute, which aims to highlight foods and beverages of superior quality and taste worldwide through its impartial “blind tasting,” has awarded multiple Superior Taste Awards to Lidl Hellas products that stand out for their superior taste.

The Highest Standards of Quality and Safety

Quality assurance is of the utmost importance to Lidl Greece. The freshness and quality of our food products ensure worry-free enjoyment. For our non-food products—such as power tools, kitchen appliances, and toys—the highest safety standards apply. Before they go on sale, our private-label products are thoroughly inspected and tested. In addition to our internal quality controls, we commission independent and accredited testing institutes to conduct chemical, physical, and organoleptic tests, as well as tests for pathogenic organisms. We work with suppliers who adhere to the recognized BRC (British Retail Consortium), IFS (International Featured Standards), and FSSC (Food Safety System Certification) standards. In May 2019, the Quality Assurance Department of Lidl Hellas successfully obtained certification for its Quality Assurance System, demonstrating in practice its commitment to the continuous improvement of the expected quality of its products and services to ensure customer satisfaction. The ISO 9001:2015 standard, the most widely adopted Quality Management Standard, sets forth all the requirements according to which an organization should operate, so that the final products and/or services offered—not only to its customers but also to any other interested parties—fully meet their expectations. We also conduct quality control tests in collaboration with Veltia Labs for Life.

From blenders to children’s toys: Safety is a priority

For us, a key quality criterion is the safety of our products. Therefore, we ensure during production that all non-food products can be used safely, provided they are used correctly. Lidl has established a rigorous control system for all production facilities and processes. Safety-related product tests are always conducted by independent testing institutes in accordance with internationally recognized standards—regardless of where the products are manufactured. In the consumer goods sector, these include TÜV Süd, TÜV Rheinland, and the Hohenstein Institute.

The Quality of Our Textile Products

For us, quality has many facets. When it comes to textile products, we ensure they are free of harmful substances and fit perfectly. Consequently, all private-label textile products undergo a multi-stage quality control process, which begins with the production facility and manufacturing method. In this context, our products are tested and certified by independent institutes (such as OEKO-TEX® Standard 100).