1. Need GFSI? Your organization has been asked to achieve Certification to a GFSI recognized standard. Your Next Steps:

2. Choose a Certification Program:
GFSI is not a standard, and your organization cannot be “GFSI Certified”.
GFSI is an organization that identifies Certification Programs that meet its rigorous requirements.
These Certifications are
“GFSI Recognized”
SQF Code, 7th Edition, Level 2
BRC Global Standard, Issue 6
FSSC 22000
Others..(see

3. Why GFSI?
Many large retailers and multinational food manufacturers are demanding that their suppliers are certified to a GFSI recognized standard.
Obtaining a GFSI recognized Food Safety Certification is a “must” to do business with these organizations.
Food processors, manufacturers, and packaging manufacturers are all finding that more and more customers want to see this type of certification.

4. Comparing the programs In this presentation we will focus on three popular certification programs: SQF BRC FSSC 22000

5. Comparing the Programs:
SQF is a program managed by the Safe Quality Food Institute, SQFI
SQF can be applied to all industry sectors through the use of the applicable GMP module in the standard
SQF has two levels that are recognized by GFSI
Level 2 - Food Safety Plan
Level 3 - Food Safety and Quality Plan
The Code and guidance documents are available to download from the SQFI website free of charge
More than 5000 certified organizations worldwide

6. Comparing the Programs:
BRC is managed by BRC Global Standards
The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety applies to food packing and processing organizations.
For food packaging manufacturers and converters, the standard “BRC/IOP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials applies.
Purchase the standard and guidance documents from the BRC website
More than certified companies worldwide

7. Comparing the Programs:
FSSC is managed by the Foundation for Food Safety Certification
FSSC applies to food processors and manufacturers and manufacturers of food packaging materials
FSSC is an ISO Based program that uses ISO and additional requirements for Prerequisite Programs
Download scheme documents at the FSSC website, and purchase the standards from ISO or
More than 5000 certified companies worldwide

8. Comparing the Programs:
All of these programs include the principles of HACCP found in the Codex Alimentarius
All the programs include management systems requirements and GMP/Prerequisite Programs
The organization of the standards vary
The SQF code has modules. Every company must comply with module 2 containing the management system elements and choose the module that applies to their sector for GMPs
The BRC standard has the management system requirements, prerequisite program requirements and site standards in one document.
The FSSC scheme requirements are found in several standards, FSSC 22000, ISO and one of the prerequisite program documents (ISO/TS or PAS 223)

9. Comparing the Programs:
Because they are GFSI Benchmarked, the programs are all well recognized
To choose the best certification program for your organization, you may want to consider what program your customers use
Consider the target market (geographic, product)
GFSI has benchmarked these standards and determined that they meet the requirements outlined by GFSI, leading to a similarity of requirements between the programs, though they are not exactly the same
Lets take a closer look at GFSI

10. The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has benchmarked food safety certification programs.

11. GFSI requires procedures for:
Food Safety Management
Food Safety Policy
Food Safety Manual
Management Responsibility
Management Commitment
Management Review
Resource Management
Documentation
Specifications
Procedures
Internal Audits
Corrective Action
Control of Non-conformity
Product Release
Purchasing
Supplier Performance Monitoring
Traceability
Complaint Handling
Serious Incident Management
Control of Measuring and Monitoring
Product Analysis
Prerequisite Programs (PRPs)
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)

12. First steps: Establish prerequisite programs and GMPs
If you do not already have these in place, start by implementing programs. Use the standard as a guide. Each standard includes requirements for PRPs and GMPs
Develop and implement your HACCP Plan
This will be your next step if you do not have one in place already. Be sure someone in your facility is HACCP trained and can develop your HACCP plan.
Follow the requirements in the standard you have chosen.

13. Next Steps
Train your project leader on the requirements of the standard that you chose.
Online training programs are available at for each of the standards.
Train your team leader:
SQF Practitioner “Introduction to SQF System Elements” and “Food Safety Fundamentals”
FSSC Food Safety Team Leader “Understanding FSSC 22000”
BRC HACCP Team Leader “Introduction to BRC”

14. Build your Food Safety Management System
Perform a Gap Analysis
Develop your processes and document procedures to address requirements
Train employees
Implement the system
Start Internal Audits and Management Reviews
All-in-One kits provide you with tools to complete all these tasks.
Available for SQF, BRC and FSSC 22000
Available for:
SQF
BRC
FSSC at

15. Contact a Certification Body
Choose a certification body to perform your certification audit and Certify your organization
Check the webpage for your standard for a list of accredited certification bodies
Your certification body will work with you to schedule your audits.
Most will require two audits, a preliminary, desk audit or stage 1 audit, followed by the certification audit.

16. Celebrate your achievement
After your audit you may have some nonconformances. If so, you will need to submit your corrective action plan to the auditor.
Once they have approved your corrective action plans you will be recommended for certification.
Your certification auditor will come in once a year or according to your plan with them to ensure continuing compliance and improvement.

17. Everything you need for your Implementation Project!
SQF Premium Implementation Package
FSSC Premium Implementation Package
BRC Premium Implementation Package
6 Hours of Computer-based Training
Training for SQF Practitioner, HACCP Team, Employees & Management
Audit checklists
Project Plan and Task Lists
Food Safety Manual Template
Procedure Templates
Form Templates
GMP Templates
6 Hours of Computer-based Training
Training for Food Safety Team, Employees & Management
Audit checklists
Project Plan and Task Lists
Food Safety Manual Template
Procedure Templates
Form Templates
Prerequisite ProgramsTemplates
6 Hours of Computer-based Training
Training for HACCP Team, Employees & Management
Audit checklists
Project Plan and Task Lists
Food Safety Manual Template
Procedure Templates
Form Templates
GMP and Site Standards Templates