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NVEK

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Posted 31 July 2020 - 07:52 AM

Hello,

 

We are a company specialised in the manufacturing of thermoformed and injection moulded packaging. Our raw materials for thermoforming are bought directly from the manufacturer and most of them have a GFSi recognised certificate. The raw materials for injection moulding are  bought via brokers. The identity of the manufacturers is well known and so far no problem, however none of the manufacturers has a GFSi recognised certificate. 

 

Several attempts by me and our management were done to get the supplier questionnaire completed,  to obtain a copy of the audit report and to get a traceability test done but so far no results.  What else can be done ? Adapt the scope to exclude them is not an option; adapt the risk category is difficult to explain to a BRC auditor: The materials are intended to come into contact with  food. . 

 

 

Has anyone experienced the same; how can we solve this? Changing supplier is not possible as we already collaborate with several manufacturers and they all react more or less in the same way. 

 

Thanks 

 

 

Nicole



Charles.C

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Posted 31 July 2020 - 10:43 AM

Hi Nicole,

 

I'm not closely familiar with BRC packaging standard but I suspect that the conclusion will be analogous to that discussed here previously for food (latter standard has similar text to packaging but is possibly more restrictive), ie, will need new "suppliers".

 

I assume you have studied the BRC interpretation guidelines (IG) already which seemed to me to offer no further alternatives except that 2 examples shown seemed to imply an allowance for audits/certificates other than GFSI, namely (in the IG example) iso9000. Such an option also exists for food although I don't comprehend the (safety) viability of iso9000 (BRC packaging users here will no doubt be able to clarify/correct my lack of understanding),

So maybe you can get an alternative audit/certificate ?

 

I anticipate yr dilemma has occurred/been discussed here previously within the BRC Packaging Forum.


Edited by Charles.C, 31 July 2020 - 11:32 AM.
edited/emended

Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


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NVEK

SQFconsultant

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Posted 31 July 2020 - 11:56 AM

Our BRC packaging clients either go and visit their suppliers to do an audit or if not experienced in conducting 2nd party audits you can contact an auditing company and have them do the audit for you.


All the Best,

 

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Glenn Oster.

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NVEK

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Posted 31 July 2020 - 03:21 PM

I've noticed that the smaller companies don't have issues and accept it that we go and audit them. The raw materials for injection are bought via brokers. The manufacturing companies are hugh multinationals and the amount that we buy is too small to be able to put some pression on them.  Each of them is ISO certified but they won't even share their audit reports .They consider it confidential! 



TimG

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Posted 31 July 2020 - 03:35 PM

Hi NVEK,

This topic comes up quite a bit. Take a look at this link https://www.ifsqn.co...rsdistributors/

 

There is also a link in that topic to another similar one.

 

"The manufacturing companies are hugh multinationals and the amount that we buy is too small to be able to put some pression on them.  Each of them is ISO certified but they won't even share their audit reports .They consider it confidential!"

Being a cog in one of the evil empires you described there, one thing I would suggest is to take a look at the questionnaire you are sending. I assume your end goal is to evaluate the efficacy of your supplier's food safety systems. If that's the case, perhaps create a minimalist version of your questionnaire or one specifically for the supplier who is giving you push-back. By no means am I suggesting you cut corners, just re-evaluate what is necessary to achieve your end goals.



SQFconsultant

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Posted 31 July 2020 - 04:38 PM

I've noticed that the smaller companies don't have issues and accept it that we go and audit them. The raw materials for injection are bought via brokers. The manufacturing companies are hugh multinationals and the amount that we buy is too small to be able to put some pression on them.  Each of them is ISO certified but they won't even share their audit reports .They consider it confidential! 

 

wow, did I miss where you said that in your posting - about ISO?

 

Anyway, ask the brokers to get a copy of ISO certificate only (and not the whole audit) - that's all you need.


All the Best,

 

All Rights Reserved,

Without Prejudice,

Glenn Oster.

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SQF System Development | Internal Auditor Training | eConsultant

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http://www.GCEMVI.XYZ

http://www.GlennOster.com

 


Charles.C

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Posted 31 July 2020 - 08:17 PM

I've noticed that the smaller companies don't have issues and accept it that we go and audit them. The raw materials for injection are bought via brokers. The manufacturing companies are hugh multinationals and the amount that we buy is too small to be able to put some pression on them.  Each of them is ISO certified but they won't even share their audit reports .They consider it confidential! 

 

wow, did I miss where you said that in your posting - about ISO?

 

Anyway, ask the brokers to get a copy of ISO certificate only (and not the whole audit) - that's all you need.

 

^^^(red) Based on the comments in OP, I assume you mean iso9001. I cannot see how this could comply with para. 3.7.2 via a Certificate with or w/o an audit report, eg -

 

3.7.2 The approval procedure shall be based on risk and include either one or a combination of:

 

 • a valid certification to the applicable Global Standard or GFSI-benchmarked standard.

   The scope of the certification shall include the raw materials purchased, and the site shall validate any BRCGS certificates using the BRCGS Directory.

 • supplier audits, with a scope to include product safety, traceability, HARA review and good manufacturing practices, undertaken by an experienced and demonstrably competent product safety auditor.    Where the supplier audit is completed by a second or third party, the company shall be able to:

 — demonstrate the competency of the auditor

 — confirm that the scope of the audit includes product safety, traceability, HARA review and good manufacturing practices

 — obtain and review a copy of the full audit report

or

 • where a valid risk-based justification is provided, a satisfactorily completed supplier questionnaire may be used for initial approval. The questionnaire shall have a scope that includes product safety, traceability, HARA review and good manufacturing practices, and it shall have been reviewed and verified by a demonstrably competent person.

(also see my comment in Post 2)


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


SQFconsultant

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Posted 31 July 2020 - 08:31 PM

That's interesting. I have seen two BRC Auditors accept that.


All the Best,

 

All Rights Reserved,

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Glenn Oster.

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Charles.C

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Posted 01 August 2020 - 01:26 PM

That's interesting. I have seen two BRC Auditors accept that.

Hi SQFC,

 

I just remembered that iso22000 is, of course, not  GFSI-recognized so the "ISO" in Post 4 could be iso22000 which could probably meet the criteria in 2nd option of Post 7 providing that a copy of audit report was obtained, etc.


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


Foodworker

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Posted 03 August 2020 - 01:45 PM

The chances of a polymer manufacturer being certified to a GFSI Standard are negligible. There are too many other sectors that they supply which are more profitable to them so they are just not interested.

 

You purchase through brokers and you should have greater influence on the broker than manufacturer, (although this can still be fairly small.)

 

Push the broker for the information, they buy more from the manufacturer than you do and have greater influence.

 

The traceability can be verified through the broker as in the examples in the Interpretation Guidelines.

 

It is hard and I have found that you have to really be clear with the broker to get what you want.


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Charles.C

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Posted 03 August 2020 - 06:06 PM

The chances of a polymer manufacturer being certified to a GFSI Standard are negligible. There are too many other sectors that they supply which are more profitable to them so they are just not interested.

 

You purchase through brokers and you should have greater influence on the broker than manufacturer, (although this can still be fairly small.)

 

Push the broker for the information, they buy more from the manufacturer than you do and have greater influence.

 

The traceability can be verified through the broker as in the examples in the Interpretation Guidelines.

 

It is hard and I have found that you have to really be clear with the broker to get what you want.

Hi Foodworker,

 

^^^^(red) - Does yr opinion equally apply to iso9001 and/or  iso22000 ? (See Post 4)

 

Also, can you explain how, as per the Packaging  I.Guidelines example, a certification to iso9000 would contain the haccp component required for approved supplier ? (see Post ,2)


Kind Regards,

 

Charles.C


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Posted 04 August 2020 - 03:21 AM

Hi Foodworker,

 

^^^^(red) - Does yr opinion equally apply to iso9001 and/or  iso22000 ? (See Post 4)

 

 

In my POV, no, ISO9001 is more generic and we can likely expect them to get it.

 

 

Also, can you explain how, as per the Packaging  I.Guidelines example, a certification to iso9000 would contain the haccp component required for approved supplier ? (see Post ,2)

I've come to audit few suppliers, it's not cost efficiency for them to apply a full GSFI-certified GMP. Instead, we look at their current GMP (or ISO9001 system) and compare with our own FS risk addressing (pest control, contamination,...) to see what extent they comply. And I've found that they recognise and control certain hazards (e.g. metal contamination by staples in making carton boxes) without knowing about HACCP, ofc some items are missing (safety of process water). My recap:

- GFSI = big plus for supplier approval, somehow ISO22000 is an legitimate equivalent in such an expectation.

- ISO9001 = moderate confidence of a certified systematic GMP, their practices might already reduce (coincidentally) certain FS risks.

Btw, IMO, the example in IG should include risk assessment by us + ISO9001 cert but the margin may be too narrow to contain.



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liberator

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Posted 05 August 2020 - 09:56 PM

We have a minimum requirement of HACCP and GMP certification for direct food contact packaging manufacturers. We do not accept ISO 9001 as it really doesn't cover off risk to the extent the HACCP programs do. ISO 22200 is an accepted quality certification as it requires HACCP. If they have no 3rd party certification then your acceptance of them as a supplier will be based on your own requirements and assessment of risk of that supplier. We require that all materials have the appropriate food contact compliance and meet the relevant countries packaging requirements. Where the packaging is direct food contact with or without a 3rd party certification, we will audit the vendor, no exceptions. We treat direct food contact packaging manufacturers like they are food manufacturers and they are risk assessed accordingly.



beautiophile

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Posted 06 August 2020 - 01:12 AM

Hi liberator,

This is a point of view of food packaging manufacturers. Their materials are mostly in cruder forms that food ingredients, sometimes very close to raw minerals. The suppliers of those may stay out of the domain of food safety concern. We, a packaging producer, have difficulty to explain to customers (food makers) that the boundary of haccp ends at us.



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Posted 07 August 2020 - 08:13 AM

As a manufacturer of direct food contact packaging (polythene bags.) this is my biggest worry for our forthcoming audit. The smaller suppliers are happy to complete traceability exercises, try asking a big multinational polymer supplier, the best I have is a statement that their ISO 9001 system is sufficient to prove traceability. Not a chance of an audit report. To be fair, when I request Batch specific info it is always forthcoming straight away so this is true but actually fulfilling the requirements of clause 3.7.2 & 3.7.5 I have no chance. I just have to hope that I get an auditor who can see that we are managing our suppliers and Raw materials, to the best of our abilities. If we get a black and white auditor then no hope we will get a CAR.   



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Posted 10 August 2020 - 04:02 PM

Have you ever considered using a risk assessment based on the manufacturing process of the raw material, providing an effective kill step, and asking for specific processing information to support / complete the RA. If they have closed systems, which in my experience with plastic processing / pelletizing operations is the case. The process may be sterile enough to allow acceptance by the assessment and the process to make the raw material. Heat, rinse, cooling baths, no touch handling processes, sterile plastic bag / liners etc manufactured on high temp machinery may provide enough safeguards to consider the incoming raw materials safe for use as food packaging. Coming from a plastics background and currently a packaging manufacturing position, with enough solid factual and relevant information, you could support your acceptance of the raw materials.


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packman156

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Posted 20 January 2024 - 12:17 AM

Hi All,

 

BRC Packaging Issue 6

 

I believe you can use an ISO9001 certificate instead of GFSI to approve suppliers.  It's in section 3.7.2 Interpretation Guidelines Example at the end of the section.

 

QUOTE:

 

"EXAMPLE

A site manufactures polypropylene (PP) tubs for ice cream. No documented supplier
approval process is available although three suppliers are approved to supply PP on the
basis that two have current ISO 9000 certification and one is certificated to the Global
Standard for Packaging Materials.
The auditor is satisfied that the basis for approval is satisfactory but raises a
non‑conformity as no documented supplier approval procedure is in place."
 
My question is for Section 3.7.5 Traceability Test.  
 
Do I need to prove Traceability or is ISO9001 enough? 
 
The BRC Requirement
 
QUOTE
"the raw material supplier is certificated to a GFSI-benchmarked standard. Assessment
of traceability systems forms part of these audits and therefore no additional action is
required to comply with the requirements of this clause; however, a communication
mechanism should be in place, such that if the raw material supplier were no longer
certificated, the site would be made aware of this change"
 
But, ISO9001 has Clause 8.5.2 Identification and Traceability.  Can I argue traceability is part of the ISO9001.  Or do a risk assessment?
 
Has anyone used ISO9001 to satisfy the 3.7.5 Traceability BRC section for suppliers?
 
Thanks for the help.
 
 


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Posted 21 January 2024 - 08:37 PM

"Assessment of traceability systems forms part of these audits". As long as the supplier can prove they comply to this section of the ISO9001 standard it should be ok. Do they have evidence that they have conducted a traceability exercise/test on their system in the past 12 months? Do they have a report from that traceability exercise and the outcomes of that exercise?




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