Suggested time between desk and facility audits

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post and I would like to start by thanking everyone who contributes to this site. The expertise shared here has been a valuable resource. I am in the process of preparing for GFSI certification via the SQF platform. I would like to know, based on experience, what the ideal time should be between a SQF desk and facility audit. My thought on the matter is that if a thorough gap analysis and/or pre-assessment have been conducted, 30 days should be sufficient to complete any corrective actions originating from the desk audit, while minimal enough to reduce the risk of a non-conformity arising in the interim. Any thoughts?

Welcome to the forum JAJ. You're right, the IFSQN forum is a tremendously useful resource for those of us who work in the food safety and quality business. As to your question, I think that you're in the ballpark with a month between the desk audit and facility audit. If you had a pre-assessment audit from the same CB that's doing the desk and facility audits that should be more than enough time.

If you did your own gap analysis (or had a consultant do it) you may be in for some surprises, but if you have a good food safety management program and have solid policies, procedures, and responsibilities for the SQF requirements you shouldn't have too much trouble getting ready for your facility audit 30 days after your desk audit.

I'm sure others will chime in on their experiences.

Good luck,
esquef

Ours is going to be 7-8 days apart.

Hi,

We had a months gap between the desk audit and facility audit. This worked out well as you get enough time to implement the changes if required (identified from desk audit).

MM

30 to 45 days is the norm. Back to back is insane, as an SQF Auditor I did some of those several years ago and more than once had to walk away because of issues raised on the stage audit that could not be corrected, etc by the next day.



Glenn Oster

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post and I would like to start by thanking everyone who contributes to this site. The expertise shared here has been a valuable resource. I am in the process of preparing for GFSI certification via the SQF platform. I would like to know, based on experience, what the ideal time should be between a SQF desk and facility audit. My thought on the matter is that if a thorough gap analysis and/or pre-assessment have been conducted, 30 days should be sufficient to complete any corrective actions originating from the desk audit, while minimal enough to reduce the risk of a non-conformity arising in the interim. Any thoughts?

We are doing desk audit one day next 2 days will be our facility audit.  Third year we are SQF Level 3 certified( they will not do facility audit if they find you do not have all needed elements/programs in place to conduct an audit.) (that is my understanding)  Depending on your non-conformances would I believe determine when your facility audit could be conducted for example if you had aggregate showing it would probably take longer than 30 days to replace the flooring or have it fixed.