What to include in a Specification and Compliance Management System?

If you were about to set up a Specification and Compliance Management System what would you include?
I’m looking for some rough ideas to kick around, so please brainstorm away.

Thanks,
Simon

If you were about to set up a Specification and Compliance Management System what would you include?
I’m looking for some rough ideas to kick around, so please brainstorm away.

Thanks,
Simon

Hello Simon
I recently spent 2yrs building a packaging database and included the following:
Item specs, Artwork Specs, tool & Die specs, Raw Materails which included Food safety compliances, Food safety compliances for primary packaging items, Category (Grand Parent) and Sub Catergory (Parent Specs) - Paper Corrugated, Paper Folding Cartons, Flexibles, Rigid Plastics, Wood, Metal etc.

Finished product specs would be simplier unless you want to have slightly different attributes according to Sub Categories, Alligens, GMO Status and supporting docs, Religious Status, country of origin, Raw material specs and links to supporting documents, including Biogrow certification etc.

You can build specs as Word documents, in simple spreadsheet based database, Access Database, or more bespoke Database systems. I recommend ou look at web hosted systems if you need a large group of geographically seperated people that need acess. Be careful with Vendor access as their user seats may cost you, unless you can convince your vendors to pay for user seats.

It takes longer to setup a spec system than you think, especially when you need to gather all the data from your vendors and learn how to extract this as painlessly as you can from you. Remember some of them will play the IP card, which will mean getting creative with getting them to disclose this information in a way to protect them property.

OK so thats a good start. I can direct you to some web sites for Internet based database system providers, if thats the way you want to go
Cheers
Peter

Dear Simon,

Was the first post actually directed to packaging ?

Rgds / Charles.C

Dear Simon,

Was the first post actually directed to packaging ?

Rgds / Charles.C

The question was directed to packaging, but there are many similarities between food and packaging so Peter’s reply is very helpful.

Hello Peter,

Thanks for that it has provided food for thought. From a packaging printer / converter point of view we need to control supplied material inputs with the following compliance documentation.

Raw materials (primary packaging):

- Food Contact Compliance Statement (covering all relevant legislation)
- Migration Certificate and Test Results (e.g. ISEGA - updated every two years)
- Product Specification (agreed / signed by both parties)
- Other Certification (Kosher, Heavy Metals etc.)
- COA with each delivery or retained by supplier for call off
- Supplementary information e.g. traceability code explanation

Printing inks:

- Product Specification (agreed / signed by both parties)
- Compliance Statement (e.g. CEPE / EUPIA)
- Supplementary information e.g. traceability code explanation

Secondary Packaging (Carton / Plastic Blisters)

- Product Specification (agreed / signed by both parties)
- Migration Certificate and Test Results (e.g. ISEGA - updated every two years)
- Recycled Board Source Statement
- Mineral Oils Analysis / Statement
- Supplementary information e.g. traceability code explanation

Tertiary Packaging (Outer Boxes, Cases, Slip sheets)

- Product Specification

The above should be up to date and reviewed annually or following (actually before any change). Obviously the above is just related to product and supplier selection, approval and monitoring is on top of this.


Do I miss anything significant?

Peter can you provide some links you mention.

Thanks,
Simon