11 replies to this topic

[Polin]

Hello everyone,

 

in paragraph 3.8 MANAGEMENT OF SUPPLIERS OF SERVICES of the standard, is mentioned that there should exist a documented agreement with the suppliers of services suppliers/subcontractors. With the suppliers that provide the following services :

• sorting or rework

• laboratory services

• calibration services

we have a cooperation that depends on the quotations  per request. So we don't have a fixed contract with them.

 

Therefore I would like to know if the "offer acceptance" meet the Standar requirements ("Documented agreements..."). 

 

Thank you in advance 

 

 

 

[BrummyJim]

Hi Polin,

 

The key is to have a documented agreement. You don't need to have specific contracts for each time you call on the service, but you do need to have an agreement on exactly what services are provided, and you need to have carried out due diligence to show that the service provider is capable of providing those services at the level you require.

 

For example, with some of our service providers we have a service level agreement, often provided by them and we have our transport providers signing our conditions of transport etc.

[CMHeywood]

The signed offer of acceptance should state your requirements for food safety and quality.  This may have to be an addendum if there are different requirements for different service providers.

[Polin]

 

Thank you CMHeywood,

 

but when it comes, for example, to laboratory services there is no requirements for food safety. The samples are sent to a certified and approved laboratory. 

 

Am I right ?

[QAGB]

 

 

Thank you CMHeywood,

 

but when it comes, for example, to laboratory services there is no requirements for food safety. The samples are sent to a certified and approved laboratory. 

 

Am I right ?

 

 

 

Hi Polin,

 

Which standard are you using? I think you're referencing BRC based on the wording, but the clause is actually 3.5.3 in Issue 7. 

 

Under BRC, there are requirements for food safety. Per 5.6.2.3 "Where the company undertakes or subcontracts analyses which are critical to product safety or legality, the laboratory or subcontractors shall have gained recognized laboratory accreditation or operate in accordance with the requirements and principles of ISO[17025]. Documented justification shall be available where accredited methods are not undertaken."

 

Interestingly enough, the analyses you choose to perform that are critical to product safety or legality must also be accredited, unless you or the lab can justify why the method isn't accredited. The laboratory's accreditation sheet must show that they are certified ISO 17025 for the critical analysis you need. For example, if you are testing for Listeria or Salmonella, you need to make sure the laboratory is certified ISO 17025 for those tests. An agreement should be made between you and the lab that they remain certified for your critical testing, or provide the aforementioned justification.

 

QAGB

[CMHeywood]

SQF 3.8 talks about on-site laboratories.  I assume this lab would be owned by the company and, in my opinion, should fall under the same food and quality programs that address the entire facility - production, shipping, offices, testing lab, etc.  I am not familiar with other food safety schemes such as BRC, etc.

[Charles.C]

the standard is probably BRC Packaging 5

[CMHeywood]

BRC Packaging 5:

3.8.1 shows examples of service providers including testing labs.

3.8.2 states that a documented agreement should exist which describes expectations and addresses the potential risks of using the service provider.

 

So I would think that the "offer of acceptance" should include a description of what services will be provided, any testing or other written confirmation of acceptable service, any certification that is required of the service provider, and a statement of what risk controls are necessary for the service provider (either by the provider and/or the user of the service).

[Polin]

Hello CMHeywood,

 

We use BRC/IoP 5, ISO 9001 and ISO 22000.

 

Thank you very much for your response!!! It was helpfull  

 

 

Regards 

Polin

[Foodworker]

The agreement part is relatively straightforward as you will be specifying what you want the service supplier to do for you and the order for the work will probably have enough detail to suffice.

 

The harder part of this section is how you approve and monitor the service supplier. A standard questionnaire approach will be meaningless to many of this type of supplier.

 

List all of your service suppliers and what they do for you. Then add what criteria you have used in deciding that the individual company was suitable and what evidence you have for this.

 

Attached is a format that I use which has got through a number of BRC (Food and Packaging) audits with no problems (names changed to protect the guilty) 

Attached Files

•  Service Suppliers.docx   14.82KB   451 downloads

[JohnWheat]

Ours is very similar to Foodworker's sheet. We also add in a bi-annual review date. Reminder dates for up to date certification. Also we score for delivery, damage, quality level (delivered to spec etc).

On the review we obviously view all aspects including scoring

[Polin]

Thank you guys!!

 

I am already in implementation phase of your suggestions!!

 

Thank you again.

 

Yours 

 

Polin