3 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

 

[paulkenny92]

Thanks for the replies.

 

For clarity we are a label manufacturer, so no direct contact with food and other hygiene sensitive materials. On the basis of risk we have required ISO9001 + the aforementioned hygiene questionnaire and been fine. My interpretation of the new clause is that we can get rid of the hygiene questionnaire and just have a declaration of conformity alongside the ISO9001 - again based on risk and no food contact etc etc.

Tony - you mention that ISO9001 'would be fine if you add traceability.' This is actually a discussion I've had with auditors in the past and has been accepted by them, but wanted to know if others have had similar experiences:

I've always referred to 8.5.2 from ISO9001 which states "8.5.2 Identification and traceability. The organization shall use suitable means to identify outputs when it is necessary to ensure the conformity of products and services. The organization shall identify the status of outputs with respect to monitoring and measurement requirements throughout production and service provision. The organization shall control the unique identification of the outputs when traceability is a requirement, and shall retain the documented information necessary to enable traceability."

 

I suppose the potential problem here is the wording "when traceability is a requirement." Again though, I've had the discussion with auditors in the past who have subsequently accepted that ISO9001 does include traceability