Where can I find out more about ISO 9001:2000

ISO 9001:2000 is the most commonly used international standard providing a framework for a quality management system. The ISO website provides a wealth of detail.

If you are new to ISO and thinking of applying for certification contact us. We will talk you through the process, likely costs involved and describe how RSPH Certification can help you, from for example, an ISO gap analysis to identify areas of processes needing development, to access to further help or training.

Companies thinking of switching to RSPH Certification as their certification body to take advantage of combined BRC/IOP and ISO Evaluations should also contact us for informaiton on prices and how we can help with advice and information.

Can we combine ISO 9001:2000 with BRC/IOP Global Standard - Packaging and avoid yet another audit?

Yes. RSPH Certification offers joint evaluation for Certification to ISO 9001:2000 and the BRC/IOP Global Standard - Packaging. This can help you save time, reduce costs and avoid the duplication of effort involved in multiple audits.

The same RSPH Evaluator will normally carry out audits to both standards in the same visit. Only, for example, if a site is particularly extensive or is undergoing an initial inspection to either or both standards may it be necessary to use two Evaluators during the same visit.

Will your evaluators understand my business?

Our evaluators have many years of experience of conducting evaluation to both ISO 9001:2000 and BRC/IOP Global Standard Packaging. In addition the RSPH team of Evaluators working on joint evaluations to these two standards has undergone cross-training to make sure that they are fully conversant with both standards and aware of where the same processes are being evaluated. They bring their experience of the food packaging industry to bear and are able to undertake evaluations across all the packaging fields - plastics, paper, card, metals, glass and wood. contact us for more information

Joint evaluations to BRC Global Standard - Storage and Distribution and ISO 9001:2000

Available soon

Why a standard for food packaging?

The retailers have driven the introduction of the BRC/IOP Global Standard - Packaging. They are required by law to 'take all reasonable precautions and exercise due diligence in developing, manufacturing, distributing advertising and selling food products to the consumer'. This means driving hygiene standards and requirements down the supply chain to include manufacturers and suppliers of packaging.

Where can I get a copy of the Standard?

The standard is published by the Stationery Office and costs £90. You can buy this from RSPH Certification at the same price.

I only make material used in outer packaging. The Standard doesn't apply to me does it?

The BRC/IOP Global Standard - Packaging applies (with slightly different requirements) to both the manufacture and supply of packaging materials in direct contact with food and those used in outer packaging, labelling etc. These are referred to in the standard as Category B risk suppliers and Category A risk suppliers respectively. The decision tree on page 10 of the Standard helps you identify which category you belong to.

Do I have to have a HACCP plan?

The BRC/IOP Global Standard - Packaging requires "The adoption of a formal Hazard Analysis System". HACCP is not a requirement. However, HACCP is the most widely used approach to hazard analysis in a 'food safety' context. It can provide an extremely useful framework for working through the process of identifying hazards and helping you to draw up the comprehensive and logical documentation you need.

How often do evaluations (audits) take place?

Evaluations take place every 6 months. If no major problems are identified this may be reduced to every 12 months after a year. Certification involves an in depth initial evaluation (one or possibly two days depending on the size and complexity of your site). Evaluators visit each site within a company separately and award certification to each in its own right.

Who carries out the Evaluations?

The RSPH team of Evaluators are all experienced in the food packaging industry, undergo regular training and work in conjunction with a Senior Evaluator. Detailed record-keeping and good communication ensure that Evaluators arrive at your site well briefed and ready to get underway.

How do I know if my site is ready for Certification?

If you already have well developed technical and hygiene management systems in place and are an established supplier of packaging to the UK food industry you should find the process of achieving certification relatively straightforward. If your company is ISO 9001:2000 accredited you may find that work already undertaken meets certain requirements of the Standard.

Where do we start?

As you work through the BRC/IOP Global Standard - Packaging you may identify areas where you have no in-house expertise, you may develop concerns regarding how to proceed at a particular stage, or have additional questions. RSPH Certification can help via a formal Gap Analysis exercise.

What exactly is the advantage of a RSPH Gap Analysis?

An RSPH Certification Gap Analysis mirrors a full certification visit and is carried out by an RSPH Evaluator with experience specifically in food packaging certification. Using the same reporting documentation and evaluation checklist as in a full certification visit the evaluator presents their findings and discusses any non-conformities identified. They will make it clear whether or not the site, as it stands, would or would not achieve certification. If there is work to be done a Gap Analysis will identify areas for improvement and provide a clear understanding of what needs to be achieved for Certification.

What happens if my site fails the evaluation?

If you have worked systematically through the requirements of the BRC/IOP Global Standard - Packaging this shouldn't happen. However, three types of non-conformities may be identified by the Evaluator:

• Critical - critical non-conformities must be addressed and a re-evaluation visit must take place to verify that the site now meets the Standard before the certificate can be issued
• Major - you must provide evidence (copies of documents/procedures etc.) that the major non-conformities have been corrected before the certificate can be issued
• Minor - you must provide evidence (copies of documents/procedures etc.) that the minor non-conformities have been corrected before the certificate can be issued

An RSPH Gap Analysis will help you identify areas that need improvement well before you arrive at the point of a Certification evaluation.

Who should I choose to carry out Certification?

Evaluations against the BRC/IOP Global Standard - Packaging can only be conducted by certification bodies such as RSPH Certification which have been formally accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service). To be awarded UKAS accreditation RSPH Certification underwent rigorous assessment and is subject to regular surveillance.

What will it cost?

The cost of certification lies largely in the time and effort invested by staff throughout the business, plus the costs of any building or facility upgrades that might be needed. An analysis of how your current technical and hygiene management systems measure up against the requirements outlined in the BRC/IOP Global Standard - Packaging will give you an idea of what costs are likely to be involved.

Against these it's reasonable to set savings made from of the reduction in the number of customer audits and increased efficiency and productivity.

Contact us for the current costs of evaluation and certification visits charged by RSPH Certification.