FSSC Lead Internal Auditor Requirements
Hello everyone,
Hope you are all doing well. I am currently preparing for the annual FSSC 22000 audit (new QA manager, joined august 2023) and came across the requirements for internal auditor. As I am new to ISO/ FSSC (I have experience with SQF / BRC), I kindly ask for your help, in understanding the below requirements.
Under Part 2 - Requirements for organizations to be audited
2.5.15 - Requirements for organizations with multi-site certification (Food chain category A, E, FI, & G)
2.5.15.2 - Internal Audit Requirements
c) Internal auditors shall meet at least the following requirements, and this shall be assessed by the CB annually as part of the audit:
Training: i) For FSSC 22000 internal audits, the lead auditor shall have successfully completed a FSMS, QMS, OR FSSC 22000 Lead auditor course of 40 hours.
I would like to know, as the quality manager auditing various areas of the organization, should I take part in a FSSC lead auditor 5-day course to satisfy this requirement? or would my experience suffice? (5 years' experience in food quality, HACCP certified, certified SQF practitioner, MS in food science).
I am confused, as the previous quality manager was not certified as an internal auditor and there were no non-conformances raised against this.
thanks in advance for your help.
Hi monisha,
Those requirements are for multi-site. Are you responsible for a single site or multiple sites?
An Audit Team Leader for multi-sites is required to have:
Work experience: 2 years’ full-time work experience in the food industry including at least 1 year in the organization.
Education: completion of a higher education course or in the absence of a formal course, have at least 5 years work experience in the food production or manufacturing, transport, and storage, retailing, inspection, or enforcement areas.
Training:
i. For FSSC 22000 internal audits, the lead auditor shall have successfully completed a FSMS, QMS or FSSC 22000 Lead Auditor Course of 40 hours.
ii. Other auditors in the internal audit team shall have successfully completed an internal auditor course of 16 hours covering audit principles, practices, and techniques. The training may be provided by the qualified internal Lead Auditor or through an external training provider.
iii. FSSC Scheme training covering at least ISO 22000, the relevant prerequisite programs based on the technical specification for the sector (e.g., ISO/TS 22002-x; PAS-xyz) and the FSSC additional requirements – minimum 8 hours.
FSMS Lead Auditor FSSC 22000 V5.1 - CQI & IRCA Certified Training offered by LRQA is an example of a suitable Team Leader Training course. It is 5 days for the face-to-face classroom course or 7 days for the virtual classroom course.
Kind regards,
Tony
Hi monisha,
Those requirements are for multi-site. Are you responsible for a single site or multiple sites?
An Audit Team Leader for multi-sites is required to have:
Work experience: 2 years’ full-time work experience in the food industry including at least 1 year in the organization.
Education: completion of a higher education course or in the absence of a formal course, have at least 5 years work experience in the food production or manufacturing, transport, and storage, retailing, inspection, or enforcement areas.
Training:
i. For FSSC 22000 internal audits, the lead auditor shall have successfully completed a FSMS, QMS or FSSC 22000 Lead Auditor Course of 40 hours.
ii. Other auditors in the internal audit team shall have successfully completed an internal auditor course of 16 hours covering audit principles, practices, and techniques. The training may be provided by the qualified internal Lead Auditor or through an external training provider.
iii. FSSC Scheme training covering at least ISO 22000, the relevant prerequisite programs based on the technical specification for the sector (e.g., ISO/TS 22002-x; PAS-xyz) and the FSSC additional requirements – minimum 8 hours.
FSMS Lead Auditor FSSC 22000 V5.1 - CQI & IRCA Certified Training offered by LRQA is an example of a suitable Team Leader Training course. It is 5 days for the face-to-face classroom course or 7 days for the virtual classroom course.
Kind regards,
Tony
Hi Tony,
thank you very much for clarifying. I am only responsible for a single site - do I still need to undergo any sort of training for internal auditing?
Hi monisha,
For single sites the requirements are as per ISO 22000 which requires competent auditors. IMO some training would be useful in addition to experience of carrying out internal audits.
Kind regards,
Tony
Hi monisha,
For single sites the requirements are as per ISO 22000 which requires competent auditors. IMO some training would be useful in addition to experience of carrying out internal audits.
Kind regards,
Tony
Thanks again Tony, this is really helpful. :smile: