3 replies to this topic

[yorkshire]

As part of our internal audit system we audit our company policies and procedures against the IFS and BRC.

If we highlight non conformances and then put them right. However what happens if we are not willing to correct a non-conformance? How do we close the this non conformance out.

Here is an example (let's not get into the issue of whether we agree with the clause yet)

IFS Version 4 states:

3.2.2.3 Jewellery and watches shall not be worn.

However our own company policy states that a plain band wedding ring is OK. As the IFS states no jewellery we have have highlighted the difference through the non conformance system.

We are not going to change our company policy. What do I do with the non conformance?

[Simon]

As part of our internal audit system we audit our company policies and procedures against the IFS and BRC.

If we highlight non conformances and then put them right. However what happens if we are not willing to correct a non-conformance? How do we close the this non conformance out.

Here is an example (let's not get into the issue of whether we agree with the clause yet)

IFS Version 4 states:

3.2.2.3 Jewellery and watches shall not be worn.

However our own company policy states that a plain band wedding ring is OK. As the IFS states no jewellery we have have highlighted the difference through the non conformance system.

We are not going to change our company policy. What do I do with the non conformance?

I'm a bit confused if 'No Jewellery' is a requirement of the IFS then how come you do not comply and are still certified. Have they not found out yet, or do you have an exclusion or something?

Regards,
Simon

[yorkshire]

I'm a bit confused if 'No Jewellery' is a requirement of the IFS then how come you do not comply and are still certified. Have they not found out yet, or do you have an exclusion or something?

This is changing what I'm wanting to talk about slightly as we are getting into the actual clause rather than the closing out (or not ) of non conformances.


It is possible to pass the IFS (or BRC) with a non conformance. The scoring for IFS is:

A Full compliance
B Almost full compliance
C Small part of criteria is implemented
D The criteria is not implemented


As we do not allow watches, earings, carved rings, rings with stones, bracelets, necklaces, nose studs,.........then I believe we should be given a B if we still allow plain band wedding rings. (By the way we also have a documented risk assessment on the wearing of wedding rings!). This would give us 15 points out of 20 for this clause. With the IFS there is an unwritten rule that if you have not take action on a minor C or D non conformance then on the next audit you will be given an automatic MAJOR which means no certificate.

On our last audit the auditor did not notice this non conformance so we didn't point it out. I think this is down to a weakness in the system - for many countries the IFS auditor will also be a BRC auditor most of the time and will then be carrying out the IFS audit with their BRC head on. It is possible that the auditor reads "IFS 3.2.2.3 Jewellery and watches shall not be worn" as "BRC 6.1.2 Jewellery and watches shall not be worn, with the exception of a plain wedding ring and sleeper earrings". Just out of interest our sister company in Germany do not allow wedding rings.

However it is still a non conformance against the IFS and our internal audit will highlight this to the auditor so we may get a non conformance during our next audit. This means that if we don't change our policy our internal audit system will have an open non conformance into the next millenium. Or has anyone any ideas?

[Simon]

This is changing what I'm wanting to talk about slightly as we are getting into the actual clause rather than the closing out (or not ) of non conformances.

I know it's a tactic of mine if I don't know the answer I just change the subject - a bit like the rabble filling our media at the moment. Anyway it was helpful and interesting to hear your raison d'être Yorky.

However it is still a non conformance against the IFS and our internal audit will highlight this to the auditor so we may get a non conformance during our next audit. This means that if we don't change our policy our internal audit system will have an open non conformance into the next millenium. Or has anyone any ideas?

I think you should try to appeal to the auditors pragmatic nature they all have it although finding it can be a little difficult. I think you can agree with the auditor that complying with everything else except plain wedding bands is enough to demonstrate 'Almost full compliance' and a B.

If not we'll send some of the SDF boys round.

Regards,
Simon