Agents and brokers (non-manufacturing traders) who buy, sell or facilitate trade in products, provide a link in movement and trade in products and affect the safety and quality standards of suppliers' products, as well as being responsible for maintaining an effective chain of traceability.The Global Standard for Agents and Brokers has been developed to provide a framework for managing product safety, quality and legality of non-manufacturing companies in the food and packaging industries.

With globalization and the growth of the supply chain, the number of sources and ways of supplying raw materials and products is growing. Brokers, agents and importers are the link that connects manufacturers and traders.