Dear jweiman,
No mention yet of product or process so comments somewhat speculative.
SQF Code 7.2 (july 2014)
2.4.5.1 Raw materials, ingredients, packaging materials, and services that impact on finished product safety shall be supplied by an approved supplier.
2.4.5.4 The approved supplier program shall be based on the prior performance of a supplier and the risk level of the raw materials ingredients, packaging materials, and services supplied, and shall contain as a minimum:
i. Agreed specifications;
ii. Reference to the rating of the level of risk applied to a raw material ingredients, packaging materials and services and the approved supplier;
iii. A summary of the food safety controls implemented by the approved supplier;
iv. Methods for granting approved supplier status;
v. Methods and frequency of monitoring approved suppliers;
vi. Details of the certificates of conformance if required, and
vii. Methods and frequency of reviewing approved supplier performance and status.
2.4.5.5 A register of approved supplier and records of inspections and audits of approved suppliers shall be maintained.
(Note - bold / Ul from myself)
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SQF Guidance 7.2 (dated as per Standard above)
(Extracts Only)
2.4.5 Implementation Guidance
An approved supplier program is a set of procedures implemented by the supplier to assure the safety and quality of incoming goods and services. It may be based on the safety risk presented by the raw material, or based on historical performance or prior history of the supplier.
What do I have to do?
The supplier must be able to provide documented evidence that incoming materials have either been inspected or that they come from an approved supplier. The methods for selecting, evaluating, approving and monitoring an approved supplier must be documented. This will be risk-based and may be as simple as a good supply history, sourcing from certified suppliers (e.g. SQF certified suppliers) or personally auditing/inspecting the material supplier’s operations, depending on risk, supplier knowledge and past history.
The supplier must require their material suppliers to verify they are complying with specifications for the products supplied. The methods of analyses must conform to recognized industry standards (refer 2.5.6). The job functions responsible within the supplier business for material inspections and supplier approval must be included in the job descriptions outlined in 2.1.3.2
The approved supplier program shall be reviewed at least annually (refer 2.1.4.3) or more frequently, based on supplier performance.
2.4.5 Auditing Guidance
Evidence may include:
• Review of the documented approved supplier program to ensure all materials and services that
may impact on product safety and quality are included;
• The risk rating applied to suppliers is identified and controls implemented;
• There is a register of approved suppliers;
• All materials or services in-use are included on the supplier register or listed as a non-approved supplier;
• Approval methods test for compliance with agreed specifications (refer 2.3.2, 2.3.3);
• The program specifies actions to be taken when non-compliance is identified;
• Documented test/inspection methods and corrective actions have been followed;
• Relevant staff are aware of their responsibilities and duties with regard to inspection and receiving
of incoming goods;
• The approved supplier program is modified based on supplier performance;
• Where non-approved suppliers have been used, goods have been inspected and a record kept;
• The approved supplier program is reviewed at least annually (refer 2.1.4).
Not an SQF user but seems that yr specific query would be related to Code item (iv) above.
I cannot see any specific mention regarding GFSI. Or, FWIW, that a vendor audit is even mandatory (although it is certainly highly recommended by myself).
Maybe the necessity is mentioned somewhere else in the Standard and similarly with regard to any possible exclusion clauses ?
Or perhaps compliance with the above Guidance-mentioned "sourcing from certified suppliers (e.g. SQF certified suppliers)" is enough, ie a GFSI benchmarked supplier >equiv. to "SQF certified"?.
Clarifications welcomed.
As per Code/2.4.5.4 above, other additional requirements are also required.
Rgds / Charles.C