Page 18 - Getting Started

Certification Process

All food safety standards require an annual audit.
SQF, GLOBALG.A.P., PrimusGFS, Gluten-Free,
and BRCGS require a full recertification audit every
year. FSSC 22000 requires a full recertification audit
every three years, with surveillance audits
conducted during the years in between. The
surveillance audits must cover the entire standard.
Each standard now includes unannounced audits,
within an identified timeframe.

So, what specifically does an auditor look for during
an audit? The auditor(s) looks for proof that effective
processes are in place and that they are in
conformance to the requirements of the standard.
The requirements (or rules) for the standard are
found in the applicable standards document.

EAGLE, as a result of its involvement in the
aerospace and automotive certification programs,
teaches all food auditors the process audit approach
for all audits.

The requirements are spelled out in sections or
modules, also known as clauses and sub-clauses or
elements. These requirements address the entire
organization. Some standards also have guidance
documents available for specific industries or

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