2 replies to this topic

[paulkenny92]

Hi all,

In the updated supplier approval section clause 3.6.2 states that supplier approval can be attained via:
 

'certification to a globally recognised quality management system that incorporates an assessment of traceability and confirmation that products supplied are safe and legal, e.g. declaration of compliance.'

How are people interpreting this? To me this is essentially saying (based on risk of course) that ISO9001 + declaration of compliance is valid for approving suppliers. In the past where a site has had ISO9001 we have sent out a secondary 'hygiene questionnaire' to ensure sites comply with the fundamentals of the product safety part of the BRC.

 

Let me know what you think

[GMO]

I think I'd be inclined to prefer a GFSI based standard as ISO9001 isn't specifically for food or food contact materials.  I think where you do only have ISO9001 with a supplier you need to make sure that some aspects you'd expect to be present for (for example) materials which are linked with food safety (e.g. primary packaging or packaging with legal data on there) has the right controls, including HACCP for example, which won't be called out in that standard.  I'd argue that would feed into the "safe and legal" bit.

 

Might be worth buying the interpretation guideline but broadly it looks like ISO9001 might be ok but I'd make sure there aren't other gaps to the clause.

[Tony-C]

Hi Paul

 

'Certification to a globally recognised quality management system…' etc. was one of the changes in Issue 7 as a result of stakeholder feedback. Clearly a much greater number of suppliers of packaging materials are certified to ISO 9001 and this is a sensible change, in fact previous guidance did mention supplier approval of ISO 9000 certified suppliers.

 

So your system ‘where a site has had ISO 9001 we have sent out a secondary 'hygiene questionnaire' to ensure sites comply with the fundamentals of the product safety part of the BRC.’ would be fine if you add traceability, have agreed product specifications and the scope of the supplier’s ISO 9001 certification includes the raw material/product that you are purchasing.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony