Dear bensnith007,
As far as I know, there is no definition per clause. But the general definitions for critical, major and minor non-conformities are in the BRC-standard it self.
You can find it in part III: audit protocol.
2.3.1 Non-conformities
There are three levels of non-conformity:
- Critical: Where there is a critical failure to comply with a food safety or legal issue.
- Major: where there is a substantial failure to meet the requirements of a 'statement of intent' or any clause of the Standard or a situation is identified which would, on the basis of objective evidence, raise significant doubt as to the conformity of the product being supplied.
- Minor: where a clause has not been fully met but, on the basis of objectives evidence, the conformity of the products is not in doubt.
During opening meeting I translate this as follows:
Critical: direct or potential food safety issue or legal issue;
Major: not complying to the requirement (statement of intent is also a requirement). Product is not conforming or serious risk that product will not be conforming, where this is not related to food safety or legal requirements.
Minor: small deviation to al clause.
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My guess is that the above is definitive, ie it's up to the auditor. Unless of course you disagree later or an auditor later changes his mind (possible?).
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Please note that auditors get thoroughly training and also by internal (within CB) and external (by standard owners) calibration trainings, auditors are trained to do a good evaluation in different situations.