Many clients are tending to start preferring HACCP certification since it is an assurance that the HACCP system being used meets the compliance standards. Before the certification of a HACCP system, you need to pass a qualified auditors food safety auditing. Most businesses are usually scared by the thought of an audit being carried out even if they follow all the principles. The certification can only be offered by external certification bodies since the system is internationally used. The certificate is usually operational for three years after which it has to be renewed after a reauditing is done. The auditors may also keep doing random checks during the time in which the certification is operational.
Acquiring the certification and its benefits
Different areas and locations have varying HACCP certification requirements depending on the nature of the business. These requirements normally differ from one part of the world to another. In some states, they only ask for the HACCP plan and not the HACCP certification. Many people however still prefer to acquire certification for their businesses due to the issue of food safety and consumer protection. Most people have also begun asking for the placement of a system. Thorough auditors do not only check the business against the recommended standards but influence the business’s pricing strategies, efficiency, and market time.
Below are the processes that are involved in the HACCP certification and navigation path.
Before auditing
Before the auditing time, a business is issued with an audit plan and together with the assigned auditor, they will select a team of part of the company’s employees to participate in the audit. The auditor may require some additional information from the selected team members. The team is supposed to give the auditor all the needed information and they will do a general review of the provided information while asking questions for clarity.
Auditing period
The first stage of auditing involves the auditor coming on-site to return the documentation submitted by the team and confirm the selected team members to proceed to the next stage. The auditor does not examine the HACCP systems at this stage. The process only involves the examination of the levels of readiness for the process. From the documents, the auditor will identify the parts of the process that the business has met by comparing their standards against those within the managerial system. They will also highlight areas that they have concerns about and those that can be changed before the next stage of the audit.
The second stage of the auditing includes a comprehensive investigation of the documented information. This stage enables the assessment of the management system and relevant standards of the system. The final part includes holding a meeting with the auditor for a verbal report on their findings and what areas need to be dealt with. They will also answer any questions from the employees in terms of the process. The auditor further provides a recommendation allowing for the business HACCP certification and suggests any other requirements and follow-up tasks that may be needed.
Conclusion
The HACCP certification usually adds a business value and ensures the protection of its clients, staff, and products. Auditors usually check the standards of the business in comparison with the set standards and may further make recommendations on how to improve the business. Auditing the HACCP plan before the actual auditing happens.
