Any advice for 6.4.1 Managing External Inspections?

Any advice for 6.4.1 Managing External Inspections. What should be included in the procedure? I am having trouble locating the information.

Hi Marti, I don't have a copy of the IFS standard, can you relate a little on the requirements under this section.

Thanks,
Simon

Hi Simon. I downloaded guidelines for auditors and found this info, so I am working to write a procedure. Any input appreciated.

6.4 External Inspections

6.4.1 A documented procedure shall exist for managing external inspections and regulatory visits. Relevant personnel shall be trained to execute the procedure.

• Is there a documented procedure that defines the criteria to follow in case an external organization requires access to the company’s premises?

• Are there clearly defined levels of authority to provide access to external organizations at all times?

• Does the procedure define the means to proceed if or when a regulatory body requests access to the premises?

• Are relevant functions aware of their responsibilities under such conditions?

• Are levels of authority defined with respect to the kind of information that is allowed to be provided?

• Are there means to ensure a complete record of activities done and details of the visit?

Hi marti b

This clause basically refers to managing inspections that the company is required to comply with. For example, we needed to put in place a procedure to generally handle "reasonably expected" inspections (by authority or otherwise) for example with regards to mandatory food establishment inspection by FDA Inspectors due to the emergence of FSMA. Hope this helps. IFS audit is pretty demanding. 

Hi Simon. I downloaded guidelines for auditors and found this info, so I am working to write a procedure. Any input appreciated.

6.4 External Inspections

6.4.1 A documented procedure shall exist for managing external inspections and regulatory visits. Relevant personnel shall be trained to execute the procedure.

• Is there a documented procedure that defines the criteria to follow in case an external organization requires access to the company’s premises?

• Are there clearly defined levels of authority to provide access to external organizations at all times?

• Does the procedure define the means to proceed if or when a regulatory body requests access to the premises?

• Are relevant functions aware of their responsibilities under such conditions?

• Are levels of authority defined with respect to the kind of information that is allowed to be provided?

• Are there means to ensure a complete record of activities done and details of the visit?

Hi Marti,

These should be included in your procedure, there is also a cross reference to US legislation - FSMA Title III Sec 306 to consider.

Regards,

Tony

Hello,

On the IFS-audit site I found this:

http://www.ifs-certi...2new-decisions 

Following the last IFS International Technical Committee meeting, composed with different experts from retailers, manufacturers, food services and certification bodies, IFS has made 2 new decisions, which came into force the 1^st July 2013.
 

• Postponing of issuing Major NC’s on food defense chapter to 1^st July 2014

As food defense requirements are not yet fully implemented by food processing companies, it has been decided to extend to one more year, to 1st July 2014, the decision not to score any Major non-conformities on the food defense chapter (chapter 6 of IFS Food 6 audit checklist). This additional year should allow companies to implement properly the food defense requirements.