2 replies to this topic

[labelsuk]

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone may be able to help me. We completed our first BRC IoP Audit in the middle of Jan and got through with 2 majors and 11 minors. The 11 minors have now all been completed, but to complete the 2 majors i need to complete an internal auditor course and complete a full audit of the BRC IoP standard and also a tracability. This was going swimming as i was going to attend a BRC lead course on the 1st and 2nd March in Birmingham, but they have decided to cancel it (very irritating as we specifically booked with BRC), not leaving me much time to find another course. Does anybody know of any other courses running between now and mid March? My majors need to be completed by 6th April at the latest.

Thanks

[rosie]

I worked in a packaging firm and my Internal Auditing course was not specifically for BRC (packaging) standards so look at any good providers providing general internal auditing courses.

My company had booked courses with BRC (packaging) which were cancelled 3 times in a row! There is not a big uptake - explain this to your auditor.

Rosie

[Foodworker]

Rosie is correct, it does not have to be a specific BRC/IoP internal auditor course and cancelled BRC courses seem to be quite common.

Depending on the wording of the NC, if finding a course and completing all of your audits in time is going to be a problem you could consider using a qualified auditor from outside of your company. This is a fairly common practice, particularly in small organisations where it is difficult to find an auditor who is sufficiently independent.

There are some advantages, if the auditor is experienced in your sector and BRC/IoP you will also have a resource to help you develop and improve your systems.
The auditor can then train you to take over future audits.

Cost wise it is probably comparable to a training course.

The traceability exercise is mandatory on an annual basis unfortunately.