What to do with a supplier with no 3rd party audit?

I am in the process of getting all my paperwork updated for our initial SQF Audit, and I am running into a supplier that has NO 3rd party audit.  They have been a trusted supplier for over 15 years, making our corrugated boxes and dividers for the boxes. 

How do I handle the fact that they have no third party audit?

They are the only supplier I have run into with this issue

You can audit then yourself. Take some notes from whatever GFSI you are using and ask permission to do a 2nd party audit of their facility.

Be prepared for some resistance, they may be a reason they don't have a 3rd party audit.

With our packaging suppliers, we have found it acceptable to keep a current letter of guarantee on file for the products they supply us.  But definitely, if you can audit them or visit them in person, that would be preferred.

you should have a risk assessment as part of your supplier approvals

Given that they are secondary packaging only, the lack of a 3rd party certificate should not affect their rating

We do have a supplier scorecard, as well as an evaluation on them.  I have emailed them for a letter of guarantee as well

You can also do a vendor questionnaire (pest control, allergens, micro, etc.) to see if they meet your requirements. 

you should have a risk assessment as part of your supplier approvals

 

Given that they are secondary packaging only, the lack of a 3rd party certificate should not affect their rating

I second this opionion.     

Hi BAkermanjr,

To add to previous posts, for a low risk supplier supplying secondary packaging, a supplier questionnaire, agreed specifications and certificates of conformity would be sufficient.

Kind regards,

Tony