NSF International Becomes First North American Certification Body To Receive ANSI Accreditation For Both BRC And SQF Standards
NSF International recently announced that it is the first organization in North America to obtain both British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Safe Quality Food (SQF) accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This accreditation from ANSI, the authority on U.S. standards and conformity assessment systems, expands the scope of NSF's Global Food Safety Initiative* (GFSI)-recognized accreditation to include BRC, enabling NSF to help more companies throughout the food supply chain strengthen their quality assurance programs.
GFSI has emerged as a way to better address the safety and quality of the global food supply. NSF offers certification to GFSI-benchmarked food safety standards, such as BRC and SQF. These global food safety certification systems promote consistency across the supply chain and provide independent certification that a product, process or service complies with international, regulatory and other specified standards.
BRC, a GFSI-benchmarked food safety standard developed by the British Retail Consortium, integrates Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems, factory environment, process control, quality management system, product control and personnel training. Adding BRC accreditation through ANSI enables NSF to provide clients with the food safety certification services they need to compete in today's global marketplace.
Also recognized under the GFSI-benchmarked standards, SQF is designed to provide certification that food safety and quality management systems comply with international and domestic food safety regulations. NSF International is recognized by the SQF Institute as an approved certification body and accredited by ANSI to provide SQF certifications. NSF was one of the first certifiers to receive SQF accreditation from ANSI.
Receiving ANSI accreditation to both BRC and SQF illustrates NSF's commitment to excellence in certification program management with BRC, SQF and other global food safety standards.
"NSF has trained over 38 new auditors to BRC and SQF over the last 18 months and is now in the unique position to offer audits a few weeks out rather than several months out. This proactive approach helps address the audit availability issue that the demand for GFSI-benchmarked audits has far exceeded the supply of available auditors," said Tom Chestnut, Vice President, Supply Chain Food Safety and Quality.
To achieve BRC accreditation, NSF underwent a field audit review and a quality systems process audit at NSF headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The activities included the review of documentation, records, personnel qualifications, training programs, as well as extensive interviews with NSF staff.
"BRC is very pleased to work with NSF as a key partner in satisfying the demand for the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety," said John Kukoly, Senior Technical Marketing Representative in North America for BRC. "Our accredited certification bodies, like NSF, have stepped up to the challenge of providing qualified auditors for this program, as its popularity in the Americas continues to increase. We are proud to recognize NSF for their work and dedication to the BRC program."
NSF also offers certification to other food safety standards, including GlobalGAP (Good Agricultural Practices), International Food Standard (IFS), Food Safety System Certification (FSSC), among others. NSF lead auditors have been trained and qualified in each of these standards and specialize in specific food areas.
About NSF International
NSF International is an independent, not-for-profit organization that certifies products and writes standards for food, water and consumer goods. Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. NSF offers certification to Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-benchmarked* food safety standards, such as British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Safe Quality Food (SQF). These global food safety certification systems promote consistency across the supply chain and provide independent certification that a product, process, or service complies with international, regulatory, and other specified standards. Additional services include safety audits for the food and water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, organic certification provided by Quality Assurance International and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education. For more information visit www.nsf.org
*The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is coordinated by CIES - The Food Business Forum, launched May 2000.
SOURCE: NSF International