9 replies to this topic

[RDM_Rep]

Good afternoon, looking for some assistance on specifications. We are a plastic/paper converter, so we take master rolls and convert them to smaller rolls or sheets or the occasional die cut product. I have TDS for all the different materials we use, but auditor gave us a minor as they were insufficient, explaining that the specification needs to include the process steps and packaging details. 

 

For each of our products, this would be incredibly cumbersome as the differences come down to size and gauge (thickness). I'm wondering how similar businesses do their specifications? I am currently debating making a generic one for each product (sheets, rolls, die cut), detailing packaging and manufacturing steps, and stating that size and gauge are subject to customer request. 

[Hoosiersmoker]

I guess my question would be, where do you keep customer specifications? We have an inventory / costing software and all customer spec's are entered for each item. I generate a report just before our annual audit that runs a list of all product spec's and print it for the FSM. If you have the spec's stored digitally, it should be fairly easy to run a report that puts them all into one place. If you don't have that currently, I would recommend it if for no other reason ease of access. Our customer spec's list has over 2200 items so it makes it necessary for us to have this in a searchable database.

[Brendan Triplett]

It sounds as though the minor was for an incomplete process cycle.  Walk the entire process through, with every possible step, and mark that as your generic (this is much like you mentioned).  I think that they are looking to make sure that all of the steps are laid out, not necessarily which customers they are set for and if you do them every day.

 

Just doing packaging right?

 

Cheers!

[RDM_Rep]

I guess my question would be, where do you keep customer specifications? We have an inventory / costing software and all customer spec's are entered for each item. I generate a report just before our annual audit that runs a list of all product spec's and print it for the FSM. If you have the spec's stored digitally, it should be fairly easy to run a report that puts them all into one place. If you don't have that currently, I would recommend it if for no other reason ease of access. Our customer spec's list has over 2200 items so it makes it necessary for us to have this in a searchable database.

 

So everything is basically made to order (custom made). Using sheets as an example, the office manager issues a "cut ticket" through Quickbooks that details the requested material, material thickness, dimensions, tolerances, and any packaging or other relevant information. This gets submitted to our Operations Manager, who reviews the ticket, and writes down any instructions the operator may need to produce the order; including the roll number of the material being used. That's about it, other than the TDS for each material that we have on file which basically summarizes the physical properties of the material.

[Charles.C]

Good afternoon, looking for some assistance on specifications. We are a plastic/paper converter, so we take master rolls and convert them to smaller rolls or sheets or the occasional die cut product. I have TDS for all the different materials we use, but auditor gave us a minor as they were insufficient, explaining that the specification needs to include the process steps and packaging details. 

 

For each of our products, this would be incredibly cumbersome as the differences come down to size and gauge (thickness). I'm wondering how similar businesses do their specifications? I am currently debating making a generic one for each product (sheets, rolls, die cut), detailing packaging and manufacturing steps, and stating that size and gauge are subject to customer request. 

 

Re ^^^(blue) -

 

Is this requirement stated in the Standard ?

 

IMO a "Specification" may/may not include Process details. It's just a matter of opinion.

[beautiophile]

Re ^^^(blue) -

 

Is this requirement stated in the Standard ?

 

IMO a "Specification" may/may not include Process details. It's just a matter of opinion.

 

Speaking of BRCGS Packaging, its Clause 5.4.3 is

 

For each manufacturing process control point, machine settings or process limits shall be established and documented – the process specification.

The clause also sounds like a definition of "process specs". But the auditor in OP seemed not to know such a thing already exists.

BTW, this part is separated from material & product specifications which appear in the Clause 3.4.

Edited by beautiophile, 31 March 2022 - 05:55 AM.

[Hoosiersmoker]

So everything is basically made to order (custom made). Using sheets as an example, the office manager issues a "cut ticket" through Quickbooks that details the requested material, material thickness, dimensions, tolerances, and any packaging or other relevant information. This gets submitted to our Operations Manager, who reviews the ticket, and writes down any instructions the operator may need to produce the order; including the roll number of the material being used. That's about it, other than the TDS for each material that we have on file which basically summarizes the physical properties of the material.

 

All of our products are made to order but some are repeated numerous times before they're changed. The system allows the entry of all specifications then the system creates and saves job cards for each process for each product with all information and special instructions for that step. The cards act as our traceability record as well as verification of confirming specifications and quality and also a running total of units produced by the hour. If it's a repeat it takes minutes to create all of the information and documentation for the whole production run and makes going to press quick for rush orders. Any operation can benefit from a good software that makes everything less labor intensive.

[Charles.C]

Good afternoon, looking for some assistance on specifications. We are a plastic/paper converter, so we take master rolls and convert them to smaller rolls or sheets or the occasional die cut product. I have TDS for all the different materials we use, but auditor gave us a minor as they were insufficient, explaining that the specification needs to include the process steps and packaging details. 

 

For each of our products, this would be incredibly cumbersome as the differences come down to size and gauge (thickness). I'm wondering how similar businesses do their specifications? I am currently debating making a generic one for each product (sheets, rolls, die cut), detailing packaging and manufacturing steps, and stating that size and gauge are subject to customer request. 

Hi RDM,

 

As per previous posts. the context of yr audit query is important since "Specification" may have separate/multiple usages, eg  respectively Product/Process.

 

Audit Standard ?

 

Audit Clause ?

 

Please clarify.

[RDM_Rep]

Hi RDM,

 

As per previous posts. the context of yr audit query is important since "Specification" may have separate/multiple usages, eg  respectively Product/Process.

 

Audit Standard ?

 

Audit Clause ?

 

Please clarify.

 

Well I had originally posted this in the SQF Packaging board, so that would have helped clarify most of those questions; it's unfortunate that it was unnecessarily re-categorized given that the recategorization seems to be causing more issues than assistance and potentially less visibility. But yes, it would be SQF, 2.3.2.

[Charles.C]

Well I had originally posted this in the SQF Packaging board, so that would have helped clarify most of those questions; it's unfortunate that it was unnecessarily re-categorized given that the recategorization seems to be causing more issues than assistance and potentially less visibility. But yes, it would be SQF, 2.3.2.

Hi RDM,

 

Thks clarification.

 

2.3.2   Specifications (Raw Material, Packaging, Finished Product, and Services)

 

Seems reasonably self-definitive ?.

 

This section has been considerably revised/expanded from ver 8.1 ( 6 subsections > 10) .

 

I am not a SQF user but offhand I cannot see any direct reference to "process" in either of the 8.1 and 9 versions although I can envisage that a Process flow chart might offer some contextual/background assistance in respect to evaluating paras 2, 5, 9.

 

I would expect the auditor/report to have stated which specific sub-clause related to their NC ( and how/why).

 

Can you further clarify ?

 

PS - Experience from SQF Packaging users welcome of course.