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First BRC Audit Prep - anyone have advice or tips?

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Edgar J

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Posted 17 May 2013 - 02:26 PM

Hey everyone,

 

We are in the midst of prepping for our first BRC Audit and referencing the Standard, the Quality Systems Manual as well as working our way through the BRC Food Safety Management System Implementation Workbook.

 

I was wondering if anyone had any advice or tips on things you may have missed or something we may not have even thought of.

 

Our audit is coming up on July 15 so we have a bit of time. I just want to make sure as many bases are covered as possible.

 

Thanks!



cazyncymru

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Posted 20 May 2013 - 09:07 AM

Risk assess, risk assess and then risk assess some more!

 

Make sure ou have all of the supporting documentation. I know this may seem like i'm preaching to the converted, but have things like site plans, drainage plans, certificates of conformity for equipment (food safe) and chemicals to hand.

 

Have all of your management reviews ready, KPI's to show, validation of equipment, complaint trending, concessions etc.

 

Have all these to hand, and you should be ok.

 

If you need any advise for anything in the next couple of weeks, you know where we are!

 

Good luck!

 

Caz x ( Grade A Issue 6, with NO non-conformances!)



Charles.C

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Posted 20 May 2013 - 09:44 AM

Dear Johnl,

 

I was wondering if anyone had any advice or tips on things you may have missed or something we may not have even thought of.

 

Yes, you forgot to give us any idea of yr business. :smile:

And yes, it looks like you forgot to ask for a pre-audit.

 

Make sure yr internal audit is meaningful and satisfactory.

 

Good Luck !

 

Rgds / Charles.C


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


S Maddux

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Posted 21 May 2013 - 06:44 PM

I didn't have a pre-audit.  We just started with the enrolment program.  The advantage of this is we had the same auditor both times.  We did not pass the first audit (42 minors).  I learned a lot more from that audit then anywhere else (well except what I learned over the 15 months of perparing from the people on IFSQN).  You learn just what they are looking for.  I'm sure you can learn the same thing with a pre-audit but that same auditor can not come back for your second audit.  Having the same auditor made the second audit more convertible and that really helped me out.  The day after our failed audit I scheduled another audit 2 months down the road.  Did what we had to do and the second audit went great, with the same auditor.  That is what we did and it worked out very very well.  I'm moving on to our second location and I have a much better feel for what needs to happen to become BRC certified.   Good Luck 



Barrie@RJT

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Posted 12 June 2013 - 09:31 AM

We are having a BRC pre-audit and there has been no talk of the same auditor not being able to come back for the 'real thing'?  I hope this can be the case, because we get on really well with our auditor (he audits us for other schemes such as Organic and Freedom Foods).....!!



Charles.C

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Posted 12 June 2013 - 12:05 PM

Dear All,

 

Intriguing comments. i always believed (as was informed by 2 Companies) that same person for audit after a pre-audit was impossible. For rather obvious reasons perhaps :whistle:  (And certainly turned out that way).

 

Rgds / Charles.C


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


trubertq

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Posted 13 June 2013 - 12:53 PM

Do not have the painters in the day before that audit!

 

If you have a consultant advising you... listen to what they are telling you!

 

Prep your people... make sure they are well trained, especially anyone responsible for a CCP, and aware that they will be spoken to.

 

Make sure all non-conformances arising from Internal audit, process and GMP audits are closed out and signed off.

 

Check the glass brittle again...send someone unfamiliar with the precess area out to do it, a fresh eye will see more than a jaded cynical one :oops2:

 

Audit , audit and audit again.....

 

 

Best of Luck

 

( Grade A finally)


I'm entitled to my opinion, even a stopped clock is right twice a day

Edgar J

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Posted 19 June 2013 - 07:05 PM

Thanks everyone!

 

It looks like we are well on our way to having everything we need!

 

I tend to overthink things but I figure it is better to have too much than too little haha

 

I will let you know if there is anything I need as we get closer and I sure am glad that these forums exist!  



walterfleitmann

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Posted 02 August 2013 - 01:58 PM

Hi John, How did the audit go?



WallyCleav

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Posted 03 August 2013 - 04:23 AM

Have a complete well reviewed HACCP plan with every duck in a row.  All products described completely.  I would not recommend grouping products as we did this and got hit for it with packaging and finished products.  ie hard plastic containers vs soft plastic containers and a complete risk assessment of each.

 

All pre requisite programs in the HACCP audited and reviewed with proper documentation as well as other company internal audits complete.  Audit schedule risk assessed.  Any statement in the guideline that says supported by risk needs a formal risk assessment.  Dont have 10 people or more from the company in attendance during the audit.



Charles.C

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Posted 03 August 2013 - 09:58 AM

Hi John, How did the audit go?

 

I guess it went well. Congratulations John  :happydance:

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...n-a/#entry63378

 

Rgds / Charles.C


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


Edgar J

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Posted 07 August 2013 - 03:28 PM

I guess it went well. Congratulations John  :happydance:

 

http://www.ifsqn.com...n-a/#entry63378

 

Rgds / Charles.C

 

Thanks for posting the link to my other thread!

I really don't think it could have gone better! It was all small minors that we quickly and easily resolved within the week following the audit.

Now we just need to keep it up so that we maintain our A grade but I have complete faith :)



Tony-C

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Posted 19 August 2013 - 05:39 AM

Hey everyone,

 

We are in the midst of prepping for our first BRC Audit and referencing the Standard, the Quality Systems Manual as well as working our way through the BRC Food Safety Management System Implementation Workbook.

 

I was wondering if anyone had any advice or tips on things you may have missed or something we may not have even thought of.

 

Our audit is coming up on July 15 so we have a bit of time. I just want to make sure as many bases are covered as possible.

 

Thanks!

 

Hi John,

 

Well done on the grade A.

 

Hopefully you found the BRC Food Safety Management System Package and Implementation Workbook useful.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony





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