11 replies to this topic

[PolystarMark]

Hi all what is the latest you have had an unannounced audit.

 

Our due by date is 12th May yet we still haven't had an auditor today on the 10th. As it is a two day audit then I can't see how we can be audited prior to the audit due date which is the requirement to the standard. Reading up on it if not audited by our due by date then this is a major CAR   .

All in all I'm not impressed by our audit body, I wonder what we've done to upset them! though I guess this effectively makes it an announced audit!

 

[Evans X.]

Greetings Polystar,

 

Is the 12th the due date of the survaillance as mentioned in your certificate or the due date that your audit body mentioned the unannounced audit will occur?? In the first case you straight up call them, give them the run-down and tell them that if any problem with your certification occurs they will be held accountable (bottomline this is a paid service and as you are required to have everything in order to get certified they are also required to uphold time schedules etc).

If it is the second case, then they still have time up to the point that your survaillance date is due as per the certificate. Maybe more clarification would be needed in the wording, like using the phrase "The audit will happen around the 12th" and not up to the 12th.

 

Regards!

[pHruit]

It's curious that the wording of the relevant clauses in the Food and Packaging standards differ slightly - the former specifies that the obligation sits with the site for announced audits, whereas the latter doesn't specify.

Nonetheless the IG for the Food standard advises that the responsibility for meeting the audit due date rests with the certification body in the case of unannounced audits. I don't have a copy of the Packaging IG to hand, but it's probably worth checking clause 1.1.7 under that - I don't really see how it could be otherwise, but it'll give you a bit of reassurance if you can confirm as much.

 

In any case, I agree with Evans X - if you're genuinely in danger of missing the end of the audit recertification window then I'd get straight on the phone to your cert body.

[PolystarMark]

thanks guys. It is the certificate due by date so I think they should have been in by now! I asked the audit body who claim that as long as they start the audit by the 12th then they are ok. The BRC position statement says "audit in 4 months prior to audit due date" if they come in tomorrow then it will have been started but not completed by the due date, semantics on the wording but it is still leaving me feeling nervous.    

[QAGB]

thanks guys. It is the certificate due by date so I think they should have been in by now! I asked the audit body who claim that as long as they start the audit by the 12th then they are ok. The BRC position statement says "audit in 4 months prior to audit due date" if they come in tomorrow then it will have been started but not completed by the due date, semantics on the wording but it is still leaving me feeling nervous.    

 

That is cutting it way too close. Any chance you are considering switching to a different certification body? Considering you are less than impressed with this firm, it may be time for you to start looking for 2023.

[NormaO'Brien]

We are in the same position with today being the reaudit due date and no sign of auditor yet (day and a half audit).

I will contact our certification body today as we cannot take a n/c for something that is outside our control.

Will keep you posted!

[Marloes]

We are in the same position with today being the reaudit due date and no sign of auditor yet (day and a half audit).

I will contact our certification body today as we cannot take a n/c for something that is outside our control.

Will keep you posted!

 

I am impatient, what did the CB say?

[PolystarMark]

thanks guys. It is the certificate due by date so I think they should have been in by now! I asked the audit body who claim that as long as they start the audit by the 12th then they are ok. The BRC position statement says "audit in 4 months prior to audit due date" if they come in tomorrow then it will have been started but not completed by the due date, semantics on the wording but it is still leaving me feeling nervous.  

 

 

He finally arrived On the day before the Due day, Last possible day, so effectively an announced audit. But we did scrape an A grade and get the unannounced + on the cert, so I'm now quite happy 

[NormaO'Brien]

I am impatient, what did the CB say?

We're still waiting for a reply and our due date was last Thursday 12th!!

 

I will keep you posted.

[NormaO'Brien]

thanks guys. It is the certificate due by date so I think they should have been in by now! I asked the audit body who claim that as long as they start the audit by the 12th then they are ok. The BRC position statement says "audit in 4 months prior to audit due date" if they come in tomorrow then it will have been started but not completed by the due date, semantics on the wording but it is still leaving me feeling nervous.  

 

 

He finally arrived On the day before the Due day, Last possible day, so effectively an announced audit. But we did scrape an A grade and get the unannounced + on the cert, so I'm now quite happy 

Well done!!

Great to have it behind you now.

[NormaO'Brien]

Just to update.

 

I chased up with our certification body who explained that due to auditor shortage there was a concession in place allowing the unannounced audit to take place any time up to certificate expiry date.  

We have now had the unannounced audit and maintained our AA grade. Its good to have one unannounced out of the way.

[PolystarMark]

Well done

easier next year