PREPARING FOR Prepared By - Nvolve Group · for the BRC Standard by conducting a self assessment before their BRC audit. The BRC website provides a useful Self Assessment Tool in

PREPARING FOR A BRC AUDIT

Food Safety EditionBRC Food Safety Standard

Prepared By

NVOLVE GROUP™

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www.brcmanager.com

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[email protected]

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2 | P R E P A R I N G F O R A B R C A U D I T - B R C F o o d S a f e t y S t a n d a r d

Disclaimer

This white paper is a general guide only and is not endorsed by the BRC Global Standards.You should visit the BRC Global Standards website for up-to-date information relating to BRC Certification.

The information in this white paper is based on information gained through industry experience and relevant sources where referenced.

Copyright 2016 Nvolve Group Limited™. All rights reserved.

Nvolve Group Limited™Colab, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Port Road, Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland

UK: 0844 7743978Ireland: 07491 16000International: +353 7491 16000

[email protected]



Disclaimer 2

Contents 3

About BRC Food Safety 4

The Certification Process 5

Selecting a Certification Body 6

Self Assessment 7

Selecting and Audit Option 8

What You Need - Announced Audit Option 9

What You Need - Unannounced Audit Option 10

What You Need - Global Markets Audit Option 11

Resources 12

About BRC Manager™ 13

Sources 14

CONTENTS



BRC FOOD SAFETY British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standards, Food Safety Standard

The BRC Food Safety Standard helps organisations produce safe and quality products for consumers.The standard is designed for any operation who handles, processes or packs food.

The standard is divided into seven sections:

Customer ConfidenceProvides confidence to your customers regarding your food safety culture.

Why BRC Food Safety Standard?

Cost EffectiveAn easy to follow certification process, with no hidden costs.

Auditors WorldwideHighly trained certification bodies with auditors across the globe.

Technical SupportAn experienced BRC technical team are able to answer any questions.

1. Senior Management Commitment and Continual Improvement

2. The Food Safety Plan (HACCP)

3. Food Safety and Quality Management System

4. Site Standards

5. Product Control

6. Process Control

7. Personnel



CERTIFICATION PROCESS

APPLICATION• Review guidlines from www.brcglobalstandards.com• Select a certification body• Self assessment

AUDITPLANNING

• Select an audit type - Announced, Unnunounced or Global Markets• Select an audit date and provide information to your certification body• Define the audit time based on the BRC calculator

AUDIT

• Opening meeting• Facility and document inspection• Final review by auditor• Closing meeting

NON CONFORMANCE

&CORRECTIVE

ACTION

• Corrective action provided for any non-conformance items• Review by certification body in 14 days

POST AUDIT• Certificate issued• Compliance maintenance and improvement• Schedule next audit date



CERTIFICATION BODYSelecting your BRC authorised certification body.

Only audits conducted by approved BRC Global Standards certification bodies can be recognised and certified by BRC.

Although the BRC doesn’t select or advise in the selection of certification bodies, the BRC has a detailed directory of authorised bodies: www.brcdirectory.com

The directory lists the performance of the certification bodies, comprising a 5-star rating system assigned to each body based on a number of KPI’s.

When selecting a certification body, decide what needs to be included in your audit. Although most certification bodies can audit your entire site, is important to verify with them prior to scheduling an audit.

Cost

The BRC is not responsible for the cost of the auditor, however the certification body will collect a £185 fee for the BRC.

When selecting a certification body, decide what needs to be included in your audit.



SELF ASSESSMENTSelf assessment and pre-assessment for BRC compliance.

Internal Self AssessmentSites should adequately prepare themselves for the BRC Standard by conducting a self assessment before their BRC audit.

The BRC website provides a useful Self Assessment Tool in Word format to help sites on their path to BRC certification.

Self Assessment Toolhttp://www.brcglobalstandards.com/Manufacturers/Food/Gettingstarted/Review.aspx

Users of the BRC Manager™ platform have access to paperless internal self assessment templates. http://brcmanager.com

3rd Party Pre-assessmentThe selected Certified Body can conduct a pre-assessment on-site prior to the audit, helping sites prepare for their BRC audit.

This optional preparation can help a site identify nonconformities and correct them prior to their offical BRC audit.

By undertaking a pre-assessment, a site increases the possibility of a higher audit score.

A site can increase the possibility of achieving a higher audit score by conducting a self assessment.



SELECT AN AUDIT OPTIONSelect the type of audit you wish to schedule

The Announced Audit Programme is available to both existing certified and new sites.

Sites are graded AA, A, B, C, or D depending on nonconformities.

Existing certified sites need to have the previous year’s audit available for the auditor.

A typical audit duration is 2-3 days.

‘...the Standard will ensure your customers have confidence in your food safety program and supply chain management.’ - BRC GLOBAL STANDARDS

The BRC Global Markets option is aimed at small or under development sites, where the full standard is not necessary.

The programme is based on the GFSI Global Markets programme, comprising basic and intermediate levels.

The Unannounced Audit programme is split into 2 options, allowing sites to prove the success of their quality systems.

Sites are graded AA+, A+, B+, C+, or D+ depending on nonconfomities.

Sites not currently certified will need to wait up to 1 year from application date for their audit.

AnnouncedAudit Option

Global MarketsAudit Option

UnannouncedAudit Options 1 and 2



Key Information Required for Your Announced Audit

� Critical Control Points (CCPs) summary

� Site plan

� List of products

� Organisational chart

� Performance data, quality issues and recent customer complaints

� Production schedule and shift patterns

WHAT YOU NEEDImportant information you will need for your on-site audit.

Learn how BRC Manager™ can reduce

RISK, COST & WORKLOAD

Audit Duration 2-3 (8 hour) Days

Announced Audit

The BRC Announced Audit date is agreed upon in advance by the site and the Certification Body.

The site needs to have all appropriate documentation and staff available for the entire audit.

The Audit duration is based on a variety of factors including the number of employees and the size of the facility.

View the Audit Duration Calculator via the BRC website. www.brcmanager.com

http://www.brcglobalstandards.com/Portals/0/media/files/download/F038%20%20Audit%20duration%20Calculator%20Final%2030.1.12.pdf

http://nvolvegroup.com/brc-manager?utm_source=whitepaper&utm_medium=pdf&utm_term=brc-manager-links&utm_campaign=prepare-brc-audit



Key Information Required for Your Unannounced Audit


� Site plan


� Organisational chart

� Performance data, quality issues and recent customer complaints


� Details for the Certification Body - Accommodation and site directions




Audit Duration 2-3 (8 hour) Days

Unannounced Audit

The BRC Unannounced Option 1 is a full audit, comprising the entire standard. Option 2 is a full audit with an additional records-based audit.

The site needs to notify the Certification Body of their intention to remain in the Unannounced Programme within 3 Months of their last audit.







Key Information Required for Your Global Markets Audit

� Audit level confirmation - Basic or Intermediate


� Site plan


� Key management contacts

� Performance data


� Recent issues and complaints




Audit Duration 1 (8 hour) Day

Global Markets

The BRC Global Markets programme consists of ‘Basic’ and ‘intermediate’ levels, which are both announced audits.







RESOURCESResources to help you prepare for a BRC Audit.

Links to helpful resources

� BRC Food Safety: www.brcglobalstandards.com/Manufacturers/Food.aspx

� BRC Audit Duration Calculator: www.brcglobalstandards.com/Portals/0/media/files/download/F038%20%20Audit%20duration%20Calculator%20Final%2030.1.12.pdf

� BRC Food Safety Issue 7: www.brcglobalstandards.com/Manufacturers/Food/FoodIssue7.aspx

� CERT-ID: www.cert-id.com/Certification-Programs/BRC-Certification.aspx

� Understanding the BRC Unannounced Audit Programme: www.brcglobalstandards.com/Portals/0/Uploads/F056%20-%20BRC%20unannounced%20audits%20-%20web%20site%20note.pdf

� Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI): www.mygfsi.com

� BRC Global Standards Twitter Account: www.twitter.com/BRC_Standards

� Official BRC Global Standards LinkedIn Group: www.linkedin.com/groups/4037619

� Nvolve Group™ Blog: http://nvolvegroup.com/blog



ABOUT BRC MANAGER™Learn how BRC Manager™ can help you reduce risk, cost and workload.

Darren HelsbyUK Training Manager, CSM Bakeries

BRC Manager™ allows us to control all our procedures and with appropriate version control. The platform also allows me to view all the information I need when I need it with very little hassle. The operating teams receive reports at the touch of a button which allows them to successfully deploy staff whilst quickly identifying any training requirements.

Be consistently ready for all your BRC and Customer Unannounced Audits

Reduce your Risk, Costs and Workload with one single platform

Fully hosted solution meaning there are no set up costs

Fully Paperless using Tablets for the capture of Corrective Actions and Signatures

Extensive CIEH Endorsed Course Catalogue

BRC Manager™ is a quality and learning management solution designed for the global food industry, helping organisations reduce their compliance risk, cost and workload.

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Sources

The information in this document has been sourced from a variety of locations including:

BRC Global Standards | Food Safety:

http://ww.brcglobalstandards.com/Manufacturers/Food.aspx

CERT-ID:

http://www.cert-id.com/Certification-Programs/BRC-Certification.aspx

BRC Unannounced Audits:http://www.brcglobalstandards.com/Portals/0/Uploads/F056%20-%20BRC%20unannounced%20audits%20-%20web%20site%20note.pdf

Understanding the BRC Unannounced Audit Programme:http://nvolvegroup.com/blog/the-brc-unannounced-audit-programme

REDUCING RISK, COST & WORKLOAD

www.brcmanager.com

PREPARING FOR Prepared By - Nvolve Group · for the BRC Standard by conducting a self assessment before their BRC audit. The BRC website provides a useful Self Assessment Tool in

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