8 replies to this topic

[petratsitlak2]

Hi All,

 

We are attampting our first BRC audit soon and I have stuck with the transportation requirements. 

 

I got from hauliers a formal agreement. None of them are certified. Do I need to send a questionnaire to fill in?

And if yes, do you have an example to start with?

 

Many thanks,

 

Petra

[QAGB]

Hi All,

 

We are attampting our first BRC audit soon and I have stuck with the transportation requirements. 

 

I got from hauliers a formal agreement. None of them are certified. Do I need to send a questionnaire to fill in?

And if yes, do you have an example to start with?

 

Many thanks,

 

Petra

 

 

Based on the standard, if you are handling transport internally, all you need is documentation and records showing you are doing what the standard says to do.

 

However, if you have third party haulers, you need to make sure the formal agreement includes everything in clause 4.16 that applies to your company (and you should probably include things that don't apply to your company for added measure). I can tell you in my experience, that haulers tend to be afraid to sign these documents (even though you probably do all of those things already), but you will need the agreements if you use third party haulers.

 

QAGB

[TAN85]

Also don't forget to include supporting documentation/records for sanitation etc. I find the easiest thing to do is actually give them copies of my in-house procedures & forms to duplicate,especially if they don't have their own, and cover all necessary requirements. 

 

My standard says for each 3rd party delivery, a copy of the requirements should be supplied, so I just print them at the back of any delivery forms I use & have the driver sign them to validate this. 

[TAN85]

This is the list of my requirements if that helps. Printed behind delivery notes etc. 

[TAN85]

 product handling 3rd party.xlsx   11.03KB   240 downloadsThis is the list of my requirements if that helps. Printed behind delivery notes etc. 

[petratsitlak2]

Thanks for your input! 

 

It was very helpful!

[QAjess11]

Hello,

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to piggyback off this topic, but I also have a question regarding this clause.

If the customer is the one who is paying for and choosing a carrier do we still need the inspection, and supplier agreements for their chosen carrier?

[pHruit]

Hello,

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to piggyback off this topic, but I also have a question regarding this clause.

If the customer is the one who is paying for and choosing a carrier do we still need the inspection, and supplier agreements for their chosen carrier?

Strictly speaking, it may depend on the Incoterm against which you're selling the product - selling EXW you're not contractually responsible for the loading element, so that would be the customer's responsibility.

In a practical sense it's likely that you'll be loading, or at least assisting with the loading, whatever Incoterm is used, and the food safety element is somewhat removed from that anyway - doesn't matter who pays for the transport if it's unsuitable and you're the only party who is actually in a position to determine than. You'll therefore want to ensure you're meeting clauses 4.16.1 through 4.16.5.

4.16.6 won't apply, and similarly neither would 3.5.3.1/3.5.3.2 in this context, as the transport provider isn't your supplier - those obligations would sit with your customer.

[QAGB]

Hello,

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to piggyback off this topic, but I also have a question regarding this clause.

If the customer is the one who is paying for and choosing a carrier do we still need the inspection, and supplier agreements for their chosen carrier?

 

When I worked in food, our inspection policy applied to any carriers whether we or the customer chose the transport option. If we felt the vehicle was unsuitable for product, we rejected the vehicle. The only time we would load a customer's vehicle is if they submitted a written letter to state that they approved and accepted all liability for the condition of the vehicle and its contents. 

 

As to having contractual supplier agreements, I agree with pHruit, as the supplier agreements for a customer's chosen carrier would be the customer's responsibility.