Hi WorkingfromWork (great name by the way). How I've always approached BRCGS auditing internally was to take the standard, check the standard was replicated into our procedures and then check those procedures were being applied.
So for example, let's take a section at random:
5.3.2 which is about identifying and listing allergen containing ingredients and materials on site.
You'd expect that to be reflected into an SOP on allergen control which would include the specifics about how materials are labelled (e.g. with a tag) which you'd then look into the factory for examples of conformity, non conformity and talking to staff, their level of understanding.
You might have a situation where your internal procedure goes further than BRCGS requires, for example, specific coloured tags for specific allergens and find non conformances against that. To my mind for best practice, you should still raise it against an internal BRCGS scope audit because you've then gone against your procedure. The reason I think even a BRCGS auditor may expect that is the catch all fundamental clause in section 6.1 about the site operating to work instructions and procedures.
Whether your wrapping of the pallet is a non con? As with all things "it depends". Are you getting a lot of product damage in store? Is 3 layers critical for the stability of the pallet? If it shifted slightly are there quality or even health and safety concerns? Only knowing your product will you be able to confirm.
You could probably get away without doing the above internally as long as procedures are compliant with reality the day of audit but if you want a really good quality system that's working in practice, I'd say it's best practice to do that multi level audit, i.e.:
- What does it say in BRCGS?
- Is there a statement of intent, policy or procedure (if required, not needed for all sections.)?
- Is it in an SOP?
- Are all documents compliant or above BRCGS requirements?
- Are we then actually doing it in practice in the factory? Both in a way compliant with BRCGS and our internal procedures?
- Do people understand the requirements and why in the factory?
- Are they formally trained against the SOP in the factory?
Remember even internal audits are sampling exercises. So you need to look for evidence on each clause but you won't necessarily be expected to look at huge numbers of examples. A sample is fine. Then going into more depth on that sample is quite helpful I think.
