SQT Blog

In 1998 the British Retail Consortium (BRC) developed and introduced the BRC technical standard and protocol for companies supplying retailer branded products, namely:

Three other BRC Standards have since been added

* Institute of Packaging

The purpose of these four standards is to ensure that all retailer branded food items are manufactured, packaged and distributed according to a defined set of guidelines and procedures ensuring product safety and consumer confidence.

Compliance to the Global Standard for Packaging will establish conformity with management procedures and factory standards to be used by manufacturers of packaging and packaging materials whether sourced domestically or imported directly via distributors or third party agents.

Under EU regulation 178/2002, Food Storage and Distribution companies are now classed as Food businesses and as such have legal obligations to supply safe and legal products. The BRC standard for storage and distribution classifies such business into four distinct categories depending on the scope of the operation. Goods stored and distributed by such businesses are also subdivided into consumer products and food products.

Regardless of which end of the food/supply chain a company operates in, due diligence is one of the most essential elements of business continuity. Achieving BRC Certification against the relevant BRC standard not only allows companies to demonstrate due diligence, it also opens business opportunities with the most powerful sector in the supply chain, the retailer. The first step to achieving certification is to learn and understand the relevant standard.

Attendance at a BRC Global Standards training course will allow companies to benchmark their current Food Safety and Quality Management Systems against the specific requirements of the BRC standards and quantify the work required to pursue certification.

A common question we get asked is “Should I attend the five day Quality Management Systems Auditor / Lead Auditor or the two day Internal Quality Auditor training course?”

The answer really depends on what level of involvement the individual will have in Quality Management Systems (QMS) auditing – the two day course is for internal auditors who would normally perform internal audits of part of the QMS in addition to their normal “everyday” role. The five day course is for individuals who will have a more detailed involvement in auditing and many will have full-time roles as QMS auditors either of vendors/suppliers or third party organizations, normally auditing the entire QMS.

The aim of the five day Quality Management Systems Auditor/Lead Auditor training course is to provide learners with the in-depth knowledge and skills required to perform external audits i.e. vendor (second party) and independent e.g., certification (third party) audits of Quality Management Systems against ISO 9001, in accordance with ISO 19011. The skills gained can also be used by internal auditors though usually these people will be from larger organizations and/or regulated industries. It is also very useful for those who themselves are audited by customers, or regulatory/certification bodies. Learners have also found it also very beneficial for those who wish to implement or manage Quality Management Systems in their own organizations to meet the requirements of ISO 9001.

The five day course assumes the learner has a good prior knowledge of the standard, though learners can develop their understanding immediately prior to and throughout the course.

The aim of the two day Internal Quality Auditor training course is to provide learners with a good understanding of the structure and purpose of ISO 9001 and the knowledge and skills to perform internal (first party) audits i.e., internal audits within their own organisation of their Quality Management Systems against ISO 9001, in accordance with ISO 19011. It is also useful if they are an auditee i.e., on the receiving end of internal or external audits and for learners who wish to update their organization’s approach to internal QMS auditing, making sure audits add-value and facilitate improvement.

Learners with no prior knowledge of ISO 9001 can be accommodated on the two day course.

On both courses, various exercises are carried out using role-plays, case studies and sample documentation. On In-House courses, the practical exercises can be carried out using the organisation’s own quality system and can be planned to finish with an internal QMS audit carried out by the learners themselves.

Both courses are IRCA certified and delivered by TMS Consultancy, an IRCA approved Training Organisation.

IRCA, the International Register of Certificated Auditors is the world’s original and largest international certification body for auditors of management systems. Learners on both courses are assessed against IRCA criteria. Continuous assessment is used on the two day Internal QMS Auditor course. The five day course is assessed by both continuous assessment and a written examination.

Learners who successfully complete these training courses can go on to be registered with IRCA as auditors provided they meet IRCA’s training, education, work and audit experience requirements for the relevant auditor grade.The requirements for IRCA registration of auditors are here.

I hope this post clarifies the differences between the two courses.

Photo owned by KirkOls (cc)

There have been seven Food Allergen incidents identified by the FSAI in the past two months. All related to undeclared allergenic content on the product label as follows:

To familiarize yourself with all Allergen legislation and to understand how to develop an Allergen Management Programme see our Food Allergen Control course brochure.