{"id":402,"date":"2021-01-25T12:22:05","date_gmt":"2021-01-25T11:22:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.repaq.es\/auditorias-no-anunciadas\/"},"modified":"2022-01-19T18:14:25","modified_gmt":"2022-01-19T17:14:25","slug":"all-you-need-to-know-about-mandatory-unannounced-audits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.repaq.es\/en\/blog\/all-you-need-to-know-about-mandatory-unannounced-audits\/","title":{"rendered":"ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MANDATORY UNANNOUNCED AUDITS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) notified that from 2021 unannounced audits will be mandatory for all certification standards, including, IFS, BRCGS and FSSC (which already launched it).<\/p>\n

Why are unannounced audits important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

GFSI intends that all certified companies consider the requirements of food safety and quality standards in their day to day. In this way, certified companies adopt a food safety culture and are prepared to be audited at any time, increasing the confidence of their work team, systems and procedures.<\/p>\n

In previous versions it was possible to do unannounced audits. However, the new version requires at least 1 unannounced audit in 3-year cycles.<\/p>\n

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How do they affect certification entities?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

BRCGS FOOD: SAFETY ISSUE 8; BRCGS PACKAGING MATERIALS ISSUE 6.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When is it applied<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As of February 2021, unannounced audits will begin to be implemented in companies certified with Food and Packaging standards.<\/p>\n

What will the application deadlines be like?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

BRCGS will notify the company if the next audit will be announced or unannounced within 3 months of the last audit.<\/p>\n

The unannounced audit will take place during the 4 months prior to the due date of the audit. These cannot take place after the expiration date unless there are exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\n

For justifiable reasons, companies can block up to a maximum of 10 days and those that have a certification level C and D have a maximum of 5 days (excluding holidays). The dates to be blocked must be notified at least 4 weeks in advance, and, in addition, the certifying entity may challenge the postponement reason if it is not considered appropriate.<\/p>\n

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IFS: FOOD V 6.1\/ IFS FOOD V.7; IFS LOGISTICS 2.2<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When is it applied?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As of January 2021. In general, they are done in recertification audits, but they can also be done in initial audits.<\/p>\n

In companies that are certified by IFS Food V.7, the implementation of unannounced audits will be mandatory as of July 1, 2021.<\/p>\n

What will the application deadlines be like?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In this case, the unannounced audit will be carried out without prior notification and a period of 4 months before the due date, or 2 weeks after this date.<\/p>\n

Companies can block up to a maximum of 10 days for justifiable reasons and must notify it 4 weeks before the start of the evaluation time for unannounced audits. The certification standards can reject the reason.<\/p>\n

For companies that manufacture seasonal products, the expected production dates must be notified to the certification system (without applying the time interval mentioned above). Consequently, these companies cannot block dates.<\/p>\n

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How to get good results in an unannounced audit?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Points which can be encouraged in a company:<\/p>\n