Can we rely on raw material supplier declarations or must we demand test results?

As a packaging manufacturer we're required to verify that our raw materials are compliant as regards Heavy Metals, BPA, Phthalates, etc.. For this reason we require all of our raw material suppliers to certify that they are in compliance as regards Allergens and the other prohibited materials. Unfortunately, we have a 3rd party auditor who's position is that supplier certification is insufficient, and that they must also produce laboratory analysis results in support of their position, or we must contract out for said analysis ourselves. Given the amount of raw materials we work with, this would prove fiscally prohibitive from our point of view.

How do other Process/Quality Managers deal with prohibited substance certifications from Suppliers?

As a packaging manufacturer we're required to verify that our raw materials are compliant as regards Heavy Metals, BPA, Phthalates, etc.. For this reason we require all of our raw material suppliers to certify that they are in compliance as regards Allergens and the other prohibited materials. Unfortunately, we have a 3rd party auditor who's position is that supplier certification is insufficient, and that they must also produce laboratory analysis results in support of their position, or we must contract out for said analysis ourselves. Given the amount of raw materials we work with, this would prove fiscally prohibitive from our point of view.

How do other Process/Quality Managers deal with prohibited substance certifications from Suppliers?

Standard (eg GFSI) ?

(many Standards require data)