Does anyone know if third party GFSI audits are going to get moved back because of COVID-19?
Does anyone know if the audits going to get move back because of the COVID-19.
(BRC, SQF, AIB)
Contact your CB. Best to know from them. :)
SQF has a new policy on Extending certifications for a one-time 6-month extension based on risk assessment.
Also, this applies to countries and/ or regions, where sites cannot be visited because of travel restrictions, and no auditors are able to reach the site. The CB must fully demonstrate that there is no other possibility but to extend the certificate. The certificate extension can last for a period of up to 6 months.
Once the travel restriction has been lifted, audits should be rescheduled
We just had a remote FSSC audit, through live video. Hard, but went well
I just got off our phone with our CB - and apparently SQF (or GFSI?) is charging $750 for the risk assessment to extend the certification 6 months. Despite travel restrictions and whatnot. Sounds like the other option is to let the certificate lapse.
I just got off our phone with our CB - and apparently SQF (or GFSI?) is charging $750 for the risk assessment to extend the certification 6 months. Despite travel restrictions and whatnot. Sounds like the other option is to let the certificate lapse.
The $750 (could go up a bit) is basically a servicing fee for the CB, there is a bit of work to do to postpone certifications and of course everything that goes with that.
You can file an extension with your CB detailing reasons.
SQF’s policy is in line with GFSI and IAF ID3 and allows for a 6-month extension to the certification. An extension request will require the Certification Body to submit in full a detailed reason why the audit cannot take place, Pandemic or COVID-19 is not a reason for extension this must be clear in the risk assessment and either note - Visitor ban policy, CB or auditor restricted their travel, government mandated restrictions, site has ceased production during the pandemic, etc.
WE were scheduled for an SQF unannounced audit this year (Between March 1 and April 30). I was just contacted that it is announced this year and unannounced will be next year. So my audit is in 2 weeks. They will not be doing any of it remotely.