I should edit this post title to "Why I will actively argue people into certifying any other standard than FSSC 22000"
So... it's been a day and 100 and some odd views with nobody answering my question... and now I know why. Nobody has a clue because ISO is a company of hundreds of separate standards that all supposedly interconnect... and they all cost money.
I found a guidance update online for FSSC with the 2013 edition that actually defines a major and minor nonconformity as listed here: (The file I found was just posted online for free so if it was wrong to copy/paste please let me know)
· Major nonconformity: a nonconformity, as referred to in ISO/IEC 17021 clause
9.1.15b, that:
1) represents failure to fulfil one or more requirements of the management
system standard or
2) a situation that raises significant doubt about the clients system to achieve
its intended outputs.
· Minor nonconformity: other nonconformities as indicated in ISO/IEC 17021,
clause 9.1.15c.
However if you want to read IEC 17021 it will cost you... another $158. So what the heck is a minor non-conformity??? only people who shell out the money will know.
Now let's take a look at SQF's code:
2.10 Non-conformities
Where the SQF auditor finds deviations from the requirements of relevant modules of the SQF Code, the auditor
shall advise the supplier of the number, description, and extent of the non-conformities. Non-conformities may
also be referred to as non-conformances. Non-conformities against the SQF Code shall be graded as follows:
• A minor non-conformity is an omission or deficiency in the SQF System that produces unsatisfactory
conditions that if not addressed may lead to a risk to food safety and quality but not likely to cause a
System element breakdown.
• A major non-conformity is an omission or deficiency in the SQF System producing unsatisfactory
conditions that carry a food safety or quality risk and likely to result in a System element breakdown.
• A critical non-conformity is a breakdown of control(s) at a critical control point, a pre-requisite
program, or other process step and judged likely to cause a significant public health risk and/or where
product is contaminated.
• A critical non-conformity is also raised if the supplier fails to take effective corrective action within the
timeframe agreed with the certification body, or if the certification body deems that there is systemic
falsification of records relating to food safety controls and the SQF System.
Critical non-conformities cannot be raised at desk audits.
Timelines for the resolution of corrective actions are addressed in Part A: 3.2 Facility Corrective Actions
Which standard would you want to be in? The one that actually gives you all of the information FOR FREE or the one where you have to hunt and peck for the applicable information and when you find it all it does really is reference you to another costly document...
I understand they really just exist to make money in the end... but what the heck!
(there isn't a good fuming face like fire coming out or smoke with a po'd face... so imagine one here)
(and I realize that "For Free" isn't really true I'm not sure the face value cost of SQF audits vs FSSC Books / Audits is... but anyhow whatever)