We use approximately 200 different raw materials.
In SQF level 3, 2.4.5.Incoming Goods and Services 4 I. Agreed Specifications are a requirement.
1) Do we need to develop our own specifications, on our company letterhead, and have the supplier/manufacturer sign off on "our specification" -- which we generally develop directly from the manufacturer's spec - in essence we copy their spec onto our format then ask them to sign it
OR
2) Can our company sign and date the specification provided by the manufacturer of the raw material, return a copy to the manufacturer, file this as our agreed specification and verify the COA that is sent with every shipment against the manufacturers specification?
AND
3) If a Broker supplies a specification on their letterhead, can we sign, file this and verify the COA received with very shipment against the Broker's Specification?
IS there a requirement in SQF for a company to develop their own RAW MATERIAL specification on the company's letterhead.
My question extends to packaging and labels also.
Finished good, for sure, raw material is what I am looking at here.