Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
knowledge, training and work experience; in addition, there are also requirements
regarding continuous professional development and the maintenance of legislative
and sector specifi c knowledge.
Certifi cation Bodies working within the framework of any recognised GFSI
scheme require accreditation to internationally recognised ISO standards. These
standards clearly defi ne the requirements of how a Certifi cation Body operates an
effective management system and therefore controls and manages its auditors. As
these standards are used for the accreditation of organisations, national Accreditation
Bodies regularly undertake surveillance assessments to ensure continued compli-
ance with the ISO standard's requirements. These surveillance assessments include
a detailed review of audit documentation and witness assessment of auditors.
In addition to the controls undertaken by Accreditation Bodies, schemes
recognised by the GFSI are also required to have in place a series of measures to
monitor Certifi cation Body performance, which include a risk-based programme of
Certifi cation Body offi ce audits and supplier audits to review the performance of the
Certifi cation Body's auditors.
The competence and performance of food safety auditors is critically important
to the integrity of the GFSI and the GFSI recognised schemes. Stakeholder consul-
tation has been used by GFSI to prioritise work streams for their Technical Working
Groups and auditor competence has been identifi ed as an area which is critically
important for the effectiveness of food safety audits. In 2011 the GFSI Board man-
dated that a Technical Working Group be formed specifi cally focussing on food
safety auditor competence and following work carried out by this Group during
2011, the Auditor Competence Scheme Committee was formed in 2012. The pur-
pose and role of this Committee was to continue to develop competence assessment
methodology and credentialing of GFSI recognised scheme auditors, to investigate
the possible personal certifi cation of food safety auditors and to work with other
interested parties involved in this area of work.
4.4
Global Markets Capacity Building Programme
In 2008 the GFSI recognised that there were many food businesses across the world,
in both developed and developing countries, which were fi nding diffi culty in imple-
menting HACCP-based food safety management schemes. Both small and large, less
developed businesses fall into this category and these would benefi t signifi cantly
from a single, internationally recognised programme that would assist them, through
continuous improvement process to develop to the point where the implementation
of a GFSI recognised food safety management scheme could be considered. This
programme was launched in 2011 and became known as the Global Markets Capacity
Building Programme (GMCBP). In this way, capacity building in food safety is
achieved, whilst access to local markets is facilitated and a system for mutual accep-
tance along the supply chain at this “entrance level” is created. The programme is
based on key requirements extracted from the GFSI Guidance Document, but is
