My First BRC Audit!

I am looking for any help and advice on surviving my first BRC audit. My company managed to get Higher level last year, and as I have no experience of BRC at all apart from being given a copy of the standard two weeks ago, I'm not sure exactly what things the auditors tend to pick up!!

The audit is in two weeks, so really don't have a lot of time, but thought of you and how helpful you've been in the past, so I'm hoping you will be my knioghts in shining armour again!

Hi Sam,

Are you talking about The BRC Food or Packaging Standard?

Simon

Simon,

BRC Food Standard

Hi Sam,

The reason for asking is that I have a gap analysis checklist for the packaging standard that can be used as an audit checklist. Anyway it doesn't matter now.

If you got Higher level last year you should have all the procedures (theoretical systems) in place. Therefore it should be just a case of ensuring that the procedures are all being worked to in practice i.e. you are doing everything you say you are doing. I would suggest over the next couple of weeks that you try to:

- carry out your own audits against all of the clauses of the standard
- ensure that any outstanding nonconformity's have been closed out
- review your own internal GMP audit results to identify weak areas / trends - then double check these areas
- have a really good clean up
- make sure everyone in the place knows about the audit
- book an expensive restaurant for a loooooooong lunch

That's what I'd do...good luck and let us know how you get on.

Regards,
Simon

I have my first audit today!!!
So once it is completed I will let you know what to look out for.

Hi John, good luck and do let us know how you get on.

Regards,
Simon

Hello again,

The one we had was actually a gap analysis although tis was against the packaging standard. It went very well and we are going for full certification in june.

John

Hi John,

Thanks for letting us know - you know where we are if you need any help. :)

Regards,
Simon