Un-anounced audit anyone ?

I've just been reading Issue 5 'Global Standard-Food Safety' and couldn't believe my eyes when I came across the paragraph in one of the appendices covering the unanounced audit scheme. Companies can register with the certification body to receive an audit within the 12 months following their last audit at a time not of their choosing !

I haven't worked with the BRC Food Standard since Issue 3 and it wasn't in there, Is this a new scheme to coincide with the new issue of the standard?

How do members feel about this? anybody so confident of their systems that they would buy a ticket in this raffle?

Dear MartLgn:

If I am not mistaken, the unannounced audit is actually optional. For those who is very confident with their systems, they can choose this type of audit. If they are really performed well, they can get an "A+" which is not to be given to those who choose to be audited on a predetermined date.

Yong

Hi MartLgn,

How do members feel about this? anybody so confident of their systems that they would buy a ticket in this raffle?

I have no problem with any audit, customers or certified bodies can do un-announced audits whenever they like.

The days of heavy preparation for audits are long gone for me.


Have a nice day, Okido

Yup, check out this website

But anyway, im not prepared for it.

Dear Eugene / All,

Nice link.

Seems to me BRC are getting quite ingenious in optimizing their income at the manufacturer’s expense. This philosophy might even assist promotion of ISO 22000.

I also was further intrigued by these items -

Management Commitment and Continual Improvement (clause 1)
Emphasis has been placed on Management Commitment and Continual Improvement as it is clearly identified as the starting point of an effective food safety plan. A high priority is placed on clear evidence of senior management commitment. Additional requirements specific to the audit process include maintenance of certification, attendance by Senior Management at audit meetings and ensuring effective corrective action for non-conformities is undertaken.

Excellent in principle but ….. I would suggest they include a requirement for “clear evidence” of an adequate implemented QA budget regarding maintenance of Food Safety Management Systems.

Site Security (clause 4.2)
In response to current issues, Site Security is an additional section, requiring controlled access and training of staff; secure storage of materials; and registration and approval of premises.

For penetrating the US market perhaps ?

Labelling claims need to be fully validated.

Which means what exactly ??

Auditor Qualifications
Details on the requirements for auditors is now included within the Standard to ensure transparency and allow companies to verify auditor qualifications.

Do I hear trembling sounds. Details ?

Regards / Charles.C

They have cupped the nuts, squeezed them, pulled them, twisted them, stretched them and now they tweak them further still. Whatever next.

Hello Charles

First thing that comes into my mind is that they refer to the european nutricional labelling regularion which comes out next year 2009 ( if I am nor mistaken ).

On the other hand, looking at all the clauses added seems like BRC standard was not as good as they ( BRC ) believed since most of the people dealing with food safety issues , food safety legislation and quality management systems are familiar with almost all those clauses. So, they are a bit late. For example, I am surprise about the sentence (within one of the clause ) " registration and approval of the premises ",, by who? by local authorities ? Any inspector/auditor should look for it without the need of a standard telling him/her to do it.

It is just my opinion.

Sinceraly
Esther