Cleaning Schedules

Hi

My company, which is a producer of flexible packing, is aiming to get a BRC certification in beginning of the coming year.
In connection with that we are updating our cleaning schedules and control of these to comply with BRC standards.

My question is what the usually expected frequency of cleaning is?
Both with regard to machines and equipment in direct contact with the product as well as flooring, shelves and other equipment, in the vicinity, but not in contact with the product.

And what kind of control is expected? Is it enough that the people who do the cleaning sign, or does a second person need to perform a control and sign for that. In that case how often is that necessary?

In general I find the standard is good at saying what is expected, but not how much, when or how often.

Merry christmas,
Søren
Quality Engineer

Hi Søren, welcome to the forums.

At the core of the standard is the requirement for a hazard analysis of the process and the requirements for cleaning should also be based on risk assessment. Items closer to the product or that are more susceptible to dirt and grime build-up should be cleaned more often than items that are less of a risk.

Initially I would pick ‘risk assessed' but sensible frequencies; then by monitoring the effectiveness of the cleaning over time you will be able to determine whether the frequencies on the cleaning schedule can be reduced or need to be increased. It might be a bit of an educated guess at first, but don't worry the schedule is not set in stone and can be changed. The important thing is to get cleaning.

With regards to verifying whether the cleaning has been carried out and is effective, this could be built into your hygiene audit programme. It will become evident whether the cleaning is being carried out as specified.

If you have a ‘clean as you go' policy in place e.g. continual removal of waste, emptying bins, cleaning of floors etc. I wouldn't bother to have this as a ‘sign off'. It will be evident on a daily basis whether this is being done effectively.

Hope this helps.

Merry Christmas,
Simon

Thank you very much, now I have something to go on as soon as I come back from a long awaited holiday :D

Thank you very much, now I have something to go on as soon as I come back from a long awaited holiday  :D

Hi Cazzo, maybe you should spend some time changing your nickname since it sounds very rude (literally it's italian for c**k). :P

Hi Cazzo, maybe you should spend some time changing your nickname since it sounds very rude (literally it's italian for c**k). :P

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for pointing that out Franco, it's always a risk with International forums. If you want to change your username Søren let me know, I can do it for you no problem.

Regards,
Simon

Sure thing! Please change it! Perhaps Zoren is available, that's my international alias for my real name in danish Søren, I hope it doesn't mean something else internationally :-)

Sorry about the unintentional upset caused by my former nickname, In Denmark it's not really considered rude.

Greetings,
Søren

Hi Cazzo, maybe you should spend some time changing your nickname since it sounds very rude (literally it's italian for c**k). :P

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for pointing that out Franco, it's always a risk with International forums. If you want to change your username Søren let me know, I can do it for you no problem.

Regards,
Simon

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sure thing! Please change it! Perhaps Zoren is available, that's my international alias for my real name in danish Søren, I hope it doesn't mean something else internationally :-)  Sorry about the unintentional upset caused by my former nickname, In Denmark it's not really considered rude.

Greetings,
Søren

No problem Søren.

I have changed your username to Zoren as requested.

Regards,
Simon