12 replies to this topic

[FlotoYo]

Does anyone know what the penalties are for letting your SQF certification lapse, intentionally, and then reapplying?

It seems like there would HAVE to be incentives NOT to do this, because if not, then everyone could let their SQF certification lapse, and then reapply immediately.

Basically. If a company wants their audit window to be in a different season, it seems like they HAVE to let their certification expire, and then reapply. If anyone knows a way to move their audit window by a few months, and NOT have their certification expire, please let me know. There are two companies I work with, who asked me and I don't know what to say.

The only thing I can think of is that their customers won't want them to be uncertified for any amount of time, but if their customers don't care, then it's not a reason not to do it.

[OrRedFood]

We have called our certification body and asked for the date to be moved to earlier in the year, to get it out of the holiday season.  You could ask if they would move it forward, they may have a policy that allows you to move it forward a limited amount of time and give you an extension letter. I don't know about consequences, but there is likely something, as you said.  

[SQFconsultant]

Over the years we've worked with a couple of companies that wanted to do this and of 3 there were 2 that we helped to succesdfully move up the dates for their inspections.

It's really based on what the circumstance is if it will be allowed or not.

The other one had allowed their vert to expire and that required that they started over again as if they had never been certified before.

It was actually an error that produced the lapse, but a costly one as they lost a customer that required continuous certification..

[Tony-C]

Hi FlotoYo,

 

I don’t see why you need to go the route of allowing the certification lapse. What is wrong asking for the audit to be brought forward?

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

[Setanta]

It does seem as though asking for a new date range might be the least painful of the options...

[FlotoYo]

Hi Everyone, thanks for the thoughts, but let me explain.

The client has asked for their audit window to be moved forward, by only one month even, and they've been denied. The were denied by their auditing board, who said it was decided by SQF headquarters. And it was formally denied by SQF headquarters. No reason was given. They just said "you cannot move your audit window forward. You can have it EARLIER, (Meaning our client could ask for and PAY for an audit in march and then again in June, in order to change their window to June permanently), but you can't have it later, because that would mean the 12 month certification would lapse", if it happened even a WEEK after the audit window.

They've ALSO asked if they can just do it at the very end of their audit window, and then make that date their new audit window, meaning, every month for three years, have it at the last date possible, and then a month after the last date, etc. until they finally get to their preferred season. This was also denied. (Ex: have it in Feb, then the next year in Mar. then the next year in April, etc)

THe rule is that all audits must be within 30 days (front and back) of the very first time they were ever audited. So if they were audited in February, FOREVER it must be January or February or march. 

So of course, it would be much better to just ask for an audit window change. This request has been denied.

NOW I'm at the point of asking the question I've asked.

 

DOES ANYONE KNOW what the penalty is for letting your certification lapse. (OTHER THAN losing a client that requires it.)

Edited by FlotoYo, 09 March 2023 - 02:04 PM.

[FlotoYo]

It does seem as though asking for a new date range might be the least painful of the options...

see above

[FlotoYo]

Hi FlotoYo,

 

I don’t see why you need to go the route of allowing the certification lapse. What is wrong asking for the audit to be brought forward?

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

see above

[Scampi]

email Leanne Chubbof yourself at SQFI on behalf of your clients

 

Each of us pay big $$$$$$ to be certified---asking for changes should be expected---business' change and so do busy times

 

LeAnn Chuboff – Vice President, Technical Affairs

[G M]

... said it was decided by SQF headquarters. And it was formally denied by SQF headquarters. No reason was given. ...

 

That seems unlikely.  No reason documentation of such a request wouldn't be available, if it happened.

 

Sounds like a good time to talk to another certifying body.

[Miss Frankie]

I agree with GM, I'd look for another CB.

 

At my former job, we had to find another CB because our first auditor lived in Canada (1st audit was the week before COVID shut down everything) and wasn't able to cross the border the following year.  Headquarters was contacted and we were granted an extension giving us time to find another CB.

 

I've also heard of facilities having a blackout period during part of their window to narrow down when their audit will take place.

[Ryan M.]

I've moved the audit date up before without issue.  Had to formally request to SQF through our CB at the time.  I really don't understand why they wouldn't allow it.  What would companies be hoping to gain?  I'd go with what someone else mentioned and contact Leanne Chubbof directly.

 

But, in terms of asking about lapse in certification your only risk is losing customer(s) and not being able to get new customers because you do not have certification.  There is no other risk.

[Hoosiersmoker]

If you wait until 1 or 2 months before your next certification and request a new audit date there should be no issue providing your CB can fit you in to that time frame. It just means more money for your CB.