New CB for SQF audit recertification

Hi! 

looking for some CB suggestions with promnt customer service. Our current CB has been acquired by a new company & since that happened customer service has declined majorly. No replies at all, following up up to 5 times before a response etc.

It's a shame. but I need to register 2 facilities for 2023 audits.

Also, does anyone know which company SQFI will use instead of Respositrak?

Thank you in advance!

We are in Canada and use NSF as our CB---they have their own portal that we use for everything

Have you reached out to SQFI on this?  I would still look into new CB;s, but I would at least let SQFI know of the trouble you are having with your current CB.

Repositrak is a separate issue

We received a cryptic email last week from SQFI about that

We use FSNS for 9 facilities across the country.  They're pretty responsive to requests from us, both at a corporate and facility level.  Their auditors have been knowledgeable and competent, as well as fair.  I'll say we had concerns about a retaliation or say, an "extra level of scrutiny" when we were forced to appeal a critical finding in 2022; SQF reviewed and sided with us and downgraded the finding, and so far 5 audits in 2023 since have been perfectly normal.

Hi rgomez,

I would notify SQF of the issues that you are having with your certification body.

You can use the SQF Find a Certification Body here.

Kind regards,

Tony

We are very happy with our CB, SCS Global. But I believe Repositrak is here to stay...

What is happening with Repositrak? I don't recall receiving a cryptic email last week from SQFI regarding Repositrak... 

We use CICS Americas! They have been pretty amazing communication wise. 

I am in this exact position with, what I suspect is the same CB. A shame because I have been using them for years....

Here's the email received re: changes to database from our CB

We are writing to you as your Certification Body because you are an SQF-registered site and there is a change in the SQF Assessment Database registration and audit process.

Effective Monday, April 17, 2023, the SQFI has transitioned to an interim certification process.

With the new process, you can expect SQFI to:

• Support for your registration in a new platform 
• If the CB manages registration on behalf of the sites, the CB will handle the new registration process.
• Issue invoices for payment of registration fees.
• Accept payment formats of credit card, check or wire payments.
• Provide a payment receipt.
• Provide the certification body with the custom audit checklist.

We want to assure you of our commitment to your continued satisfaction. We appreciate your patience as SQF manages this transition phase, which will provide an expanded level of service with new features.

Another recent change is with the existing SQF Certified Site Directory. The directory is used to look for SQF suppliers and verify certificates. With the platform change, the directory displays full search results with the data as of April 11, 2023. Updated information will be incorporated to provide up-to-date site listings in the coming days.

If there are any questions on verifying certificates, SQF Customer Service can be of assistance.

SQFI and the certification bodies support resolving any inquiries or concerns. We include below answers to questions we anticipate from customers. For questions or information, please get in touch with SQF Customer Service, info@sqfi.com, 202-220-0635 or Toll-Free 1-877-277-2635.

Q&A

1. Will the registration process be different?
2. New and re-registering sites will provide the same registration information, but in a new interface during the transition period.
3. Can I still access my reports and audit history?
4. Your historical information is available from SQFI. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us for reporting on questions relating to your certification history.
5. How will my customers check the validity of my certificates?
6. The certified site directory is available on the SQFI website.
7. Can I get a report of all the audits in progress and current certified status for sites in my organization?
8. Depending on the information required, as your CB, we can support you in the request as needed.
9. How will the corrective action process be handled? I am used to entering that information in the SQF Assessment Database. 
10. SQFI has communicated the changes to your CB and instructed them to maintain a process to manage the certification cycle during the transition period. Your CB will provide the tools required to manage these processes.

https://www.sqfi.com...sment-database/

I am in this exact position with, what I suspect is the same CB. A shame because I have been using them for years....

New company name starts with letter "i". I've used them for years as well. 

Here's the email received re: changes to database from our CB

 

We are writing to you as your Certification Body because you are an SQF-registered site and there is a change in the SQF Assessment Database registration and audit process.

 

Effective Monday, April 17, 2023, the SQFI has transitioned to an interim certification process.

With the new process, you can expect SQFI to:

• Support for your registration in a new platform 
• If the CB manages registration on behalf of the sites, the CB will handle the new registration process.
• Issue invoices for payment of registration fees.
• Accept payment formats of credit card, check or wire payments.
• Provide a payment receipt.
• Provide the certification body with the custom audit checklist.

 

We want to assure you of our commitment to your continued satisfaction. We appreciate your patience as SQF manages this transition phase, which will provide an expanded level of service with new features.

Another recent change is with the existing SQF Certified Site Directory. The directory is used to look for SQF suppliers and verify certificates. With the platform change, the directory displays full search results with the data as of April 11, 2023. Updated information will be incorporated to provide up-to-date site listings in the coming days.

 

If there are any questions on verifying certificates, SQF Customer Service can be of assistance.

 

SQFI and the certification bodies support resolving any inquiries or concerns. We include below answers to questions we anticipate from customers. For questions or information, please get in touch with SQF Customer Service, info@sqfi.com, 202-220-0635 or Toll-Free 1-877-277-2635.

Q&A

1. Will the registration process be different?
2. New and re-registering sites will provide the same registration information, but in a new interface during the transition period.
3. Can I still access my reports and audit history?
4. Your historical information is available from SQFI. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us for reporting on questions relating to your certification history.
5. How will my customers check the validity of my certificates?
6. The certified site directory is available on the SQFI website.
7. Can I get a report of all the audits in progress and current certified status for sites in my organization?
8. Depending on the information required, as your CB, we can support you in the request as needed.
9. How will the corrective action process be handled? I am used to entering that information in the SQF Assessment Database. 
10. SQFI has communicated the changes to your CB and instructed them to maintain a process to manage the certification cycle during the transition period. Your CB will provide the tools required to manage these processes.

 

https://www.sqfi.com...sment-database/

Thank you! I see you received this communication directly from your CB. Makes sense. 

I will look into this. I appreciate your help!

New company name starts with letter "i". I've used them for years as well. 

Yup. Good to know I'm not receiving a special version of customer service from them and that this is their new standard.

Happy hunting! Let us know how your search is going.