Looking for a self audit questionnaire for packaging company

Sorry I'm being very lazy/thick but I am implementing a Supplier Approval system and have 1 primary packaging supplier that isn't 3rd party accredited. I need to send them a self audit questionaire but haven't a template for packaging suppliers and am struggling to engage brain long enough to write one. Would one of you lovely packaging suppliers give me an idea of what questions would be appropriate to ask.

I should point out that this supplier has produced consistently good product for over 10 years. So this is merely a paperwork exercise to cover myself

thank you so much

Naomi

It depends on what you requrie for your certification body (SQF or BRC)
Usually you will need:
HACCP Certification Yes or No
Pest control program Yes or No
GMP program yes or no
Allergen Control Program Yes or No
Allergen in the plant List
Last third party audit score (you said they have not had a 3rd party audit?)
You may need to go to the establishment yourself to audit them.

The self audit questionnaire is chiefly there for two reasons - it gives you a due diligence defence and also allows you to test the systems of the proposed supplier. You should have both of these in mind when you are designing it.

You need to outline the risks that the supplier processes and procedures will have upon your business and then ask questions to reflect that - as they may only make a few of the items you buy and possibly act as a warehouse on the remaining then your first port of call would be;

1) Pest (in house or out house? - do they have BPCA registration?) - storage bait plan etc
2) HACCP plan - to ensure they have identifeid their risks to their operation
3) Any QMS certification? or Enviromental?
4) Traceability - when was the last exercise? is there a summary you can ask for?
5) Do they hold certificates of conformity for the packaging to say its suitable for food contact?
6) Has is their own supplier approval process? Test the system on one of the items they supply to you


Hope this helps,

Pry

Sorry I'm being very lazy/thick but I am implementing a Supplier Approval system and have 1 primary packaging supplier that isn't 3rd party accredited. I need to send them a self audit questionaire but haven't a template for packaging suppliers and am struggling to engage brain long enough to write one. Would one of you lovely packaging suppliers give me an idea of what questions would be appropriate to ask.

I should point out that this supplier has produced consistently good product for over 10 years. So this is merely a paperwork exercise to cover myself

thank you so much

Naomi

I sympathize with you Naomi, I can be lazy also.

Try this one!

Hi Nomio,

The information supplied by Tamale can be an excellent start for you and you can also request the suppliers for their Product Specifications and any heavy metal testing that they may have conducted if the packaging is used for direct contact with food. as all this information will be useful from a due diligence perspective.

Regards

Ajay

Thank you so much, you've saved me a day's work. Which when you only work 15 hours a week is a very big deal

Thank you again

Naomi

It is good if you evaluate and select suppliers based on their ability to supply product in accordance with the organizations requirements. So criteria for selection, evalutation and re-evaluation should be established.

So long as your questionnaire address the following, there shouldn't be an issue.

7.3.3 Product characteristics
7.3.3.1 Raw materials, ingredients and product-contact materials
All raw materials, ingredients and product-contact materials shall be described in documents to the extent
needed to conduct the hazard analysis (see 7.4), including the following, as appropriate:
a) biological, chemical and physical characteristics;
b) composition of formulated ingredients, including additives and processing aids;
c) origin;
d) method of production;
e) packaging and delivery methods;
f) storage conditions and shelf life;
g) preparation and/or handling before use or processing;
h) food safety-related acceptance criteria or specifications of purchased materials and ingredients appropriate
to their intended uses.
The organization shall identify statutory and regulatory food safety requirements related to the above.
The descriptions shall be kept up-to-date including, when required, in accordance with 7.7.