To audit against the BRC the following criteria has to be met.
- Auditor shall have a food related or bioscience degree OR completed a HE course.
- A minimum of 5 years post qualification experience relating to the food industry, working in quality assurance or a food safety function.
- must be registered as a Lead Assessor or BRC third Party Course
- Completed a HACCP course that is recognised by the industry.
The qualifications for ISO22000 auditing has already been addressed in this forum
http://www.ifsqn.com...?showtopic=4044
Caz
In addition to Caz's comments GFSI is even more prescriptive:
7.5 Auditor Qualifications, Training, Experience and Competencies
Auditors conducting assessment meet the capabilities described in ISO 19001 and ISO 22003.
7.5.1 Qualification/Education Requirements
A degree in a food related or bioscience discipline, or as a minimum, have successfully completed a food related or bioscience higher education course or equivalent.
Auditors currently conducting audits are not required to meet these qualifications provided they can demonstrate competence in the role.
7.5.2 Total Work Experience
5 years full time experience in the food industry including at least 2 years work in areas such as quality assurance or food safety functions within food production or manufacturing, retailing, inspection or enforcement or the equivalent.
This may be reduced to a total of 2 years experience if the competence of the auditor is assessed by an examination including:
- General Knowledge of the scheme
- Knowledge of relevant legislative requirements
- Knowledge and understanding of specific food processes
- Understanding of quality assurance,
quality management and
HACCP principles
7.5.3. Formal Auditor Training
Auditors shall have successfully completed recognised training in auditing techniques based on QMS or
FSMS 40 hours or equivalent
Successfully completed a training course in
HACCP 2 days, or equivalent
Successfully completed training in the Standard
7.5.4 Initial Training
A training programme for each auditor will incorporate:
- an assessment of knowledge and skills of fields of evaluation
- an assessment of knowledge of food safety,
HACCP, Pre-Requisite Programmes and relevant laws and regulations
- a period of supervised training to cover the assessment of
quality management systems and
HACCP, specific audit techniques and specific category knowledge
- a documented sign off of the satisfactory completion of the training programme by the appointed supervisor
7.5.6 Audit Experience
Initial Audit Experience
Auditors must have successfully completed a period of supervised training in practical assessment through 10 audits or 15 audit days.
Maintain Audit Experience
The CB must have in place an annual programme with sign off for auditor re-approval.
7.5.7 Continued Training
The auditor must be kept up to date with category best practice, have access to and be able to apply relevant laws and regulations.
7.5.8 Attributes and Competencies
The Certification Body must ensure auditors conduct themselves in a professional manner. Examples of required behaviour:
- Ethical
- Open minded
- Diplomatic
- Observant
- Perceptive
- Versatile
- Tenacious
- Decisive
- Self reliant
- Integrity
Not sure how many auditor would meet the required behaviour criteria
Regards,
Tony
