There are three levels of non-conformity:
• Critical Where there is a critical failure to comply with a food safety or legal issue.
• Major Where there is a substantial failure to meet the requirements of a ‘statement of intent’ or any clause of the Standard or a
situation is identified which would, on the basis of available objective evidence, raise significant doubt as to the conformity of
the product being supplied.
• Minor Where a clause has not been fully met but, on the basis of objective evidence, the conformity of the product is not in
doubt.
The objective of the audit is to provide a true reflection of the standard of the operation and level of conformity against the Global
Standard for Food Safety. Consideration should therefore be given to awarding a single major non-conformity where minor
non-conformities are repeatedly raised against a particular clause of the Standard. Clustering of a signifiant number of minor
non-conformities against a clause and recording this as a single minor non-conformity is not permitted. The certifiation body
shall justify a high number (more than 20) of minor non-conformities where no more than one major non-conformity is given. This
shall be detailed on the audit report.
Major example:
4.7.1 There shall be a documented planned maintenance schedule or condition monitoring system which
includes all plant and processing equipment. The maintenance requirements shall be defied when
commissioning new equipment.
Evidence shows that several (many) pieces of equipment do not have maintenance records. Condition of equipment may show lack of PM. MAJOR
Minor example:
3.10.2 Complaint data shall be analysed for significant trends. Where there has been a significant increase in a
complaint or a serious complaint, root cause analysis shall be used to implement ongoing
improvements to product safety, legality and quality, and to avoid recurrence. This analysis shall be
made available to relevant staff .
Evidence shows that there were trend charts or information for products A, B, C and D. However, trend charts or information for products E and F were missing or incomplete. MINOR
Marshall
