{"id":1,"date":"2020-05-24T02:19:32","date_gmt":"2020-05-24T02:19:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cics-americas.com\/?p=1"},"modified":"2021-09-29T01:27:13","modified_gmt":"2021-09-29T01:27:13","slug":"sqfi-certificate-extension-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.cics-americas.com\/en\/sqfi-certificate-extension-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"SQFI Certificate Extension Policy and risk assessments: what you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Typically, an organization is continuously exposed to challenges and risks. However, extraordinary events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, are beyond the control of any company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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But what is an \u201cextraordinary event\u201d? As previously mentioned, we refer to a situation beyond the control of the organization, commonly described as \u201cForce Majeure\u201d or \u201cact of God\u201d. Riots, geopolitical tensions, crimes, natural or human-made disasters, and, of course, pandemics<\/strong>, to mention some examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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The lockdown forced many industries to change the way they operated, and SQF Certified Sites were not the exception. Dealing with highly restrictive travel policies and alterations in the site\u2019s production are a few of the many challenges that organizations are currently facing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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Consequently, the site\u2019s SQF Recertification<\/strong> schedules were altered, and SQFI had to act diligently to support the SQF community and establish an appropriate course of action to adapt to the evolving situation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n




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The SQFI Certificate Extension Policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In line with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Policy, Certifying Bodies (CBs) shall follow the SQFI Certificate Extension Policy.<\/strong> A one-time six-month extension<\/strong> to a site\u2019s SQF Recertification date is granted when the site is going through extenuating circumstances that prevent the audit from taking place following its regular schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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So what\u2019s next for the sites that will soon require SQF audits but cannot conduct them as they usually do? First, communication between the site and its CB is key to identifying challenges and defining a possible course of action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


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After this, a site may request the extension to their former CB, which will need to assess the site\u2019s risks of continuing certification through a process called \u201crisk assessment\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


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A CB performs the risk assessment by gathering the necessary information from the certified site and decides an appropriate course of action. Due to the moment we\u2019re living, some sites have not been able to have their SQF Recertification audit<\/strong>. For them to comply, the SQFI has granted a one-time six-month extension. To approve it, they need to do a risk assessment to understand the risk to extend the certificate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


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\"SQFI<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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See also: 7 ways audits create value for your organization<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n



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How\u2019s the SQFI dealing with risk assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although on-site audits continue to be the preferred option, the Certification Body (CB) can perform a risk assessment to determine the risk to food safety and the SQF system continuity if the site remains inaccessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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It\u2019s important to know that this evaluation doesn\u2019t determine the risk of the site\u2019s exposure to COVID-19, but rather whether it could affect the safety of the products or integrity of the SQF system. Each CB must perform a risk assessment process for each site, requesting an extension, which can take approximately 1-3 hours<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


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To request an extension to the SQFI, the CB shall analyze the site\u2019s risks by collecting relevant information from their audit\u2019s history and feedback from their previous auditor. After this process, the CB will determine the level of risk. If it’s \u201clow\u201d, then the CB performs the assessment without having to interview and conduct a remote evaluation. If, on the other hand, the risk is \u201chigh\u201d, then a remote assessment (interviews with the personnel) should be conducted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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At CICS Americas, we support our clients and are here to help them through these rough times. <\/em><\/p>

Our risk assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic is entirely free of charge.<\/strong><\/em>
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Risk classification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Low risk.<\/strong> Request a 6-month extension to the recertification audit using the on-line form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       High risk.<\/strong> Request additional information and conduct remote activities to determine if the CB can lower the risk to permit an extension. If not, the certificate will expire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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\"SQFI<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n




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Questions that the risk assessment may include:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n