I'm A Brc/iop Virgin !

I have been given the onerous task of writing the BRC/IOP procedures for my packaging company. (I don't know what I did in a previous life but it must have been bad !!)

I have also inherited the control of our ISO 2000 system in the last few months and am just getting my head round the paperwork system for that.

My question is, are the two standards documented in the same type of way?, i.e we have quality procedures, then working instructions relating to those procedures. Or will just procedures suffice for the BRC?

I hope I'm making some sense as it is all a bit overwhelming at the moment.

Hope someone can guide me before I do overkill on the paperwork.

Thanks

Louise

Louise.

The procedures and documentation you have to meet ISO 9001 (2000) should in themselves be more than adequate to meet the Technical Management system requirement of the BRC/IOP standard. You may need to beef up the product recall and traceability procedures but all BRC/IOP auditors I have encountered have no problem in accepting ISO procedures as an acceptable Technical Management system. If you are happy that your ISO system is up to the job then I would concentrate on your plant and personel standards.

Martin

Hi Louise, for some reason your post caught my eye. Sorry.

I agree with Martin there is a lot of consistency between the two Standards. But there is also a fair amount of additional requirements contained in the BRC/IOP. For example you are required to carry out a hazard analysis (risk assessment) of your process to identify hygiene / food safety risks. And then there's glass control, blade control, pest control, cleaning schedules etc. etc.

I understand it can be a bit overwhelming especially if you are thrown in at the deep end, but consider us as your arm-bands. We'll help you all we can. In the first instance it would be useful if you could tell us a little bit about what your company does and also what hygiene systems you already have in place.

Regards,
Simon

Thanks for the guidance Martin & Simon.

The company I work for is a manufacturer of corrugated cases for outer packaging, we therefore are seeking cat. A accreditation.
We are a fairly small site with 26 production operatives and 16 office staff.

We do not have much in the way of documented hygiene systems in place at the moment but have made a start with a contractor for pest control & monthly workplace inspections are being carried out. The site is kept clean and in very good order and after having audits from our food manufacuring customers, have had a good feedback with only minor concerns which have now been addressed (fly chains on all production doors and shatter proofing all lights in production).

I think we are dooing a lot of the right things, but need to have documentation to prove it.

I have already started drafting a hygine code of practise & glass & blade policies.

I am already finding this forum a great help and I appreciate the offer of 'arm bands'.

Thanks

Louise :D

Hi Louise,

Well I know at least one member of our forums works for a manufacturer of corrugated cases who are category 'A' BRC/IoP. If he sees this thread I'm sure he'll help out.

It's good in a way that you are a smaller operation as change and new procedures etc. are usually much easier to communicate and enforce in this type of place - and this is probably the hardest bit initially.

You say that you've started with a pest control contractor and monthly patrol audits - that's good and hopefully both of these are documented. You have also carried out some proofing and changed to shatterproof lighting - again good!

If you have a regular cleaning programme in operation I advise you get this recorded as soon as possible. If you do it already, you may as well record it so that you can prove that you do it.

I don't know whether you have downloaded the document templates from the link below. If not I would as they might help you with ideas. You are welcome to use any of the stuff in there. If I remember correctly there's an example hygiene code of practice, cleaning schedules / records as well as glass and blade control documents.

http://www.saferpak....hp?showtopic=83

Anyway take a look and feel free to come back with as many questions as you like.

Not bad for free eh?

Regards,
Simon

Louise,

I assume that Simon may be talking about me (or I may just have an over inflated ego!).

Anyway, I am from the corrugated industry & happy to share experiences & problems with you. I have also sent a PM if you wish to discuss other avenues open to you.

Kind regards

Richard

I assume that Simon may be talking about me (or I may just have an over inflated ego!).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes...but I did mean you Rich.

Regards,
Simon