4 replies to this topic

[ehintze731]

Hi all, I am starting a new position at a company that is just starting up with having the customer requested third party GFSI accredited audits. I have all of my years of experience in BRC but they are leaning more SQF. With the BRC manual/handbook there is basically word for what what the audits are covering, does SQF have that also? Has anyone worked with both of these and is able to define the difference of them please. 

[SQFconsultant]

First, welcome

Second, I am bias towards SQF, but I was an Auditor for BRC as well as SQF and IFS - all around I find SQF the easier. But as a Consultant and like I said I am bias.

 

You can easily download all the SQF documentation you need from www.sqfi.com  -- there are no $$ spend required.

 

Welcome again.

[ehintze731]

First, welcome

Second, I am bias towards SQF, but I was an Auditor for BRC as well as SQF and IFS - all around I find SQF the easier. But as a Consultant and like I said I am bias.

 

You can easily download all the SQF documentation you need from www.sqfi.com  -- there are no $$ spend required.

 

Welcome again.

 

Excellent thank you, to be honest after doing a bunch of reading on this site I was hoping you would answer. 

I too have dabbled in the idea of being a consultant but more focused on BRC. 

That is a future goal and with starting this company out with SQF maybe I can make it as a consultant for both/either one. 

 

This new (to me) company is a dry pulse cleaning/packaging company, I have downloaded the Food Safety Code for Manufacturing in hopes to be starting in the proper direction. 

 

Thank you again. 

[Hoosiersmoker]

Make sure you have the guidance documents provided there also (Hopefully we'll see the Ed 9 guidance documents sooner than later!), they're under "Resource Center" then choose "SQF Guidance, Tip Sheets and Checklists". Very good resources to help figure out exact measures and action to take for all elements.

[Charles.C]

Hi all, I am starting a new position at a company that is just starting up with having the customer requested third party GFSI accredited audits. I have all of my years of experience in BRC but they are leaning more SQF. With the BRC manual/handbook there is basically word for what what the audits are covering, does SQF have that also? Has anyone worked with both of these and is able to define the difference of them please. 

 

Hi ehintze,

 

I only have direct experience with BRC but can offer a few observations on SQF based on threads in this Forum.

 

Generally, customer requirements are a frequent priority reason for a choice of GFSI-recognised Standards. SQF seems to be more pervasive than BRC within the US Food Industry. UK tends to be the reverse situation. Some other European countries favour IFS, etc, etc.

 

Both Standards can be considered as "prescriptive" in comparison, for example, to the generic (and not GFSI-recognised) iso22000.

 

SQF separates its Standards into Safety and non-Safety related Volumes. BRC Standard combines various non-Safety and Safety-related aspects.

 

SQF Guidelines are prodigious and free whereas BRC usually require payment unless applicant's facility is already certified to BRC Standard..

 

BRC Standard Interpretation Guidelines tend to be closely aligned with their current Standard Issue. SQF Guidelines are occasionally  slow to update with respect to changes in  associated Standards.

 

Some Clauses/Requirements in both Standards, IMO, exhibit lack of "clarity". Such instances are frequently discussed on this Forum..

 

One, IMO, distinct advantage in SQF is a significantly reduced number of  requests for  "risk assessment" as compared to BRC.

 

Offhand, yr product/process sounds like a relatively low risk scenario (unless RTE ?) so that either Standard  IMO should be fairly "amenable" regarding compliance requirements.

 

PS - There are several detailed comparisons of various GFSI-recognised Standards on this Forum and in the FS Literature

Edited by Charles.C, 14 November 2020 - 10:07 PM.
edited/added