Hi Rachel,

Welcome to the IFSQN forums.
I would recommend that you purchase the BRCGS Global Standard for Agents and Brokers Issue 3 Interpretation Guideline.
For example, if we look at the BRCGS Global Standard for Agents and Brokers Issue 3 Clause 2.9: There shall be effective processes to monitor and verify that the processes operated by service providers are effectively controlling the hazards identified.
Interpretation: Monitoring and verification
Processes used by service providers to control hazards need to be monitored and verified to ensure that they control the identified hazards effectively. The format of this monitoring and verification should be based on risk, but it could include the following:
• periodic requests for information from the service provider (e.g. temperature records)
• visits or audits of service providers to review control measures
• routine supply of information, which could accompany other product documentation
• review of the audit reports from independent audits (e.g. certification audits for a GFSI-recognised scheme or third-party audit whose scope includes product safety, HACCP and good manufacturing practice)
• product testing and inspection.
The company should be able to justify the supplier monitoring processes, based on the risk to the product if the control were to fail for any reason.
If we look at the BRCGS Global Standard for Agents and Brokers Issue 3 Clause 2.10: Corrective action plans shall be defined for instances where monitoring identifies a failure of the controls or where results indicate that products or services are out of specification.
Interpretation: Corrective Action Plans
A documented procedure needs to be established, detailing the actions that will be taken whenever monitoring or results indicate that controls have failed or that defined limits have been exceeded.
The procedure should identify the action to be taken and by whom; for example:
• the personnel authorised to make decisions about the product and the corrective actions to be taken
• the immediate remedial action to be taken (e.g. putting the product ‘on hold’, arranging product testing or disposal of the product)
• the communication processes, including who needs to be informed and when (e.g. storage facilities may need to quarantine products while investigations are completed or to dispose of out-of-specification product, and brand owners will wish to be involved in the decision- making process)
• any additional actions that may be required (e.g. increased monitoring).
If investigation shows that the implicated product is safe and can be released to customers, it may be necessary to review the critical limit, as ‘safe’ product may imply this limit is not set at the correct value.
Kind regards,
Tony