6 replies to this topic

[4W?]

Dear all,

I need your .
I work as internal auditor in a low risk food factory since May 2008 (just after the company received grade A on the BRC version 4). At this point the Technical manager and the Quality Systems manager also had been replaced.
One of my problems in this new role has been related with the non-compliances that had been raised on my internal audits. They have just been ignored since.
I've been re-auditing the same issues and no improvement has been found... The issues had been taken to meetings but nothing changed.

It's all very new for me but I'm very aware that this shows management lack of commitment and a critical non-compliance on our BRC audit...

Is there something that can be done before the BRC audit to rectify this situation?

Thank you,

Vera x

[Charles.C]

Dear Vera x,

The instinctive response is obviously "very sad" and "blame the management !" but the truth (and the criticality) may well depend on the specifics of the nonconformance ? Perhaps it is possible to create a compromise solution ? I think more details are required to give a better reply ??

Rgds / Charles.C

added - and another obvious question is "did the same defects exist (visibly) at the time of the successful Grade A audit ??

[4W?]

Dear Charles,

Some of the issues did exist while the last audit but were all minor issues (and most of them not pointed out by the BRC audit report). Some other came with the launch of new products, new staff monitoring the CCPs and maintenance of the building.
No non compliances will immediately affect the safety of the product as far as I can see it. But the reasons why I thought this situation would might result in a major or critical non-compliance were that, 1st, previous non-compliances in BRC audits showed that we had issues regards to correcting non compliances in an agreed time scale and 2nd because of the big emphasis given on the BRC 5 regards management commitment.

It does sound like I'm solely blaming the management but the truth is that if I would be doing my job effectively I, somehow wouldn't let this situation get this far. I just don't know how to deal with it.

Did you ever come across with a situation like this? What impact can it have on the BRC audit?

Thank you,

Vera

[4W?]

Sorry...
I repeated twice the post...
Can it be erased?


Vera

[Charles.C]

Dear Vera,

No problem to erase, I do it all the time, the website sometimes gets stuck and messes posts up.

Regarding yr query, IMEX (and IMO), every factory has some known problems which it cannot fix. These may range from minor to less-minor and the possible reasons are so, so many, eg sometimes an old building and floors no longer perfect - only solution new floor at enormous expense > money problem > no action. As I noted, the consequences will depend on the problem and often the ability of the auditors.
Frankly, I hv rarely met "managements" who wish to spend money on fixing what they consider "minor" problems. Their interpretation also may not agree with yours ?
Impossible to comment much without details but you are correct that auditors look at chronology although IMEX they are primarily concerned with present situation.

Rgds / Charles.C

[cazyncymru]

Hello

One of the other things that you have to demonstrate, apart from Management Committment, is Contiuous Improvement.

This would be true for any other accreditation that you have ie ISO 14000 etc.

i think the best way for you to tackle it is to email your Technical / Quality manager and remind them gently of the clauses in the BRC and that if they don't demonstrate that they have at least attempted to address these issues, that they will be lucky to get a C at the next audit!

Caz x

[4W?]

Dear Charles and Caz,

I'm very appreciated for your replies; it gave me a different insight.

Thank you,

Vera