Over the course of the last few months BRCGS have launched a number of initiatives either as temporary solutions or permanent new options for certification based on experience from the use of new technologies.
The summary below shows the options available and when each is applicable. Certificate Extension Where it is not possible to carry out an onsite audit of an existing certificated site then the certificate may be extended for up to 6 months. Granting of the extension is based upon a risk assessment and review between the site and certification body of the controls in place at site. Further details can be found by following the link below https://www.brcgs.com/media/2165017/brcgs072-certificate-extension-for-audits-impacted-by-covid-19-v6-09092020.pdf Full remote assessment This option is not GFSI Benchmarked. Available for sites when the certificate extension has expired, and it is still not possible for an audit to take place onsite due to Coronavirus restrictions or where a site does not need a GFSI recognised certificate. The remote audit includes a review of internal audit results, a remote documentation revue and video audit of production/storage facilities. A 6- or 12-month certificate based on grade (except for Consumer Products foundation level and the Gluten-Free Certification Program where there is no grade and normal the pass/fail criteria apply) may be issued on successful completion. Further details can be found by following the link below https://www.brcgs.com/media/2165018/brcgs086-remote-audits-during-the-pandemic-v1-09092020.pdf Blended Audits This will be a permanent option for announced audit programmes for the Standards. The audit takes place in two parts. A remote online assessment of some or all of the documentation followed by a shorter on-site audit. This provides the opportunity for a rigorous audit but with a reduction in auditor time spent onsite. Further details can be found by following the link below https://www.brcgs.com/media/2165016/brcgs080-blended-audit-remote-audit-using-ict-v2-09092020.pdf
0 Comments
Issue 6 of the Packaging Standard was released on 1st August, 2019, and all Packaging audits from the 1st February, 2020 will be conducted against this new standard.
There are some major changes in this standard, especially for those of you currently in the Basic Hygiene Category, and more information can be found HERE. Now would also be a great time to consider training courses that are available, and further information on these are available HERE. Should you have any queries regarding the transition from Issue 5 to Issue 6, then please contact our Quality and Technical Manager, Mark Greenacre by email HERE. Further to any notification you have received from the BRC regarding Environmental Monitoring (P558) for the Packaging and Packaging Materials Standard, all audits conducted on and after the 1st August 2019 will incorporate the new requirements. Please click the following link for the requirements. CLICK HERE
Please note that this is applicable to High Hygiene Category Customers Only It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing of our Technical Director, Mr Brian Fowler, who has sadly died at the age of 82 last Friday, following a short battle with cancer.
I am aware that not everyone will have known Brian, however without his involvement we would not be the company we are today. Brian was instrumental in the formation of QAI Ltd, running the Sunderland office of the then consultancy company from 1992. In 2001, Brian was heavily involved in the writing of the first version of the BRC Technical Standard for Packaging, which has now evolved into the BRC Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials, which he continued auditing against up until what turned out to be his final audit for ourselves on the 14th August 2018, before his ill health prevented him from carrying out any more work. Brian has visited many different places around the world, and he would love the opportunity to jet off to America or China or the Middle East to conduct an audit, but he was just as much at home auditing in the North East or any other part of the UK - he just loved doing what he did, and he loved trying to help people (whether or not he was allowed to do that as an auditor is a different subject!). He loved his job that much, that in the years from 2003 to 2014, it was not unusual for Brian to carry out over 100 audits per calendar year. Brian will be sadly missed by all of us who knew him personally, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Nancy and the rest of his family at this sad time. We have received the following information from UKAS regarding the expiry date of OHSAS 18001.
This standard will see existing certificates have a final expiry date no later than 11th March, 2021. Please be advised that the date for re-certification on certificates for this Standard cannot exceed that date. All Certificates issued to this Standard will have re-certification before, but not exceeding the date above. All sites who have not yet started the transition process to the new ISO 45001 Standard should start making preparations for your future audits, as we are intending to re-certify all existing certificates to the new version in 2020. We have received the following information from UKAS regarding the expiry dates for the 2008 version of ISO 9001, and the 2004 version of ISO 14001.
Both standards will see existing certificates have a final expiry date of 14/09/2018. Please be advised that the date for re-certification on certificates for ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 cannot exceed (go past) the date that date. All Certificates issued to these standards will have re-certification before, but not exceeding the dates above. All sites who have not yet started the transition process to the 2015 version of the above standards should start making preparations for your future audits, as we are intending on trying to re-certify all existing certificates to the new versions in 2017 if possible. Issue 3 of the BRC Global Standard for Storage & Distribution was officially published by the BRC on 1st August, 2016 and is now available to purchase.
You can get a copy by visiting www.brcbookshop.com This standard becomes "live" from the 1st February, 2017 - and all audits for Storage & Distribution will be against the new issue from that date. This new standard has been developed by a multi-stakeholder group, including retailers, food service companies, industry trade associations, independent experts, and certification bodies, and builds upon the experience from the previous issue. In revising the standard, the BRC have attempted to develop teh current requirements to ensure that they are robust enough to meet the current industry needs. Where applicable, requirements have been aligned with those that feature in the other Global Standards published by the BRC to ensure consistency and confidence throughout the entire supply chain. QAIC Packaging are currently reviewing all of the changes, and we will be in touch with all of our registered companies again shortly with further information. The British Retail Consortium have confirmed that QAIC Packaging, representing QA International Certification Ltd, have once again been awarded the 5* status as a top certification body.
QAIC Packaging has signed up to the Food Storage & Distribution Federation (FSDF) as an Associate Member.
The FSDF are a UK trade body that focuses on representing and supporting the interests of the Food and Drink logistics industry. With the number of QAIC Packaging audits in the Storage & Distribution sector growing year on year, the opportunity of becoming the only certification body partner of the FSDF was a great opportunity, and we look forward to being represented at their member events in the future. For more information, visit www.fsdf.org.uk |
News Updates
Keep up to date with all the latest news from QAIC Packaging. Archives
November 2020
Categories |
CONTACT US
QAIC (Packaging) Ltd Tel: +44(0)1325 522500 Fax: +44(0)1325 903039 Email: [email protected] Regd. Address: Barnet House | Dudley Court Dudley Road | Darlington | DL1 4GG Co. Reg. No 07861550 |
VISIT US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
|