SQF - FAQ

How do I get started?

CERT ID Services can provide a simple table which explains how to get started and what your responsibilities are, as well as the responsibilities of CERT ID. This will help you with your initial steps of certifying your company to either the SQF 1000 or SQF 2000 Code.

Does my company need to take training courses in implementing the SQF Food Safety and Quality Program?

SQF does require that you have a trained SQF practitioner as an employed staff member. There is training available from SQFI or SQF Licensed Training Centers. Your SQF Practitioner, along with the support of an independent SQF Consultant (optional), can implement your SQF Food Safety and Quality system. Together they will develop the program and then do a gap analysis to determine whether your facility is ready for a certification audit. A gap analysis checklist may be purchased from SQF on their website at: www.fmi.org For educational purposes, if you have other employees you would like to have trained in addition to the SQF Practitioner, the training offered will be the same training the practitioner must take and pass an exam for. This training for the practitioner or your staff may be taken on-line any time at your convenience, or it is offered by licensed SQF training centers at various times and locations throughout the United States. CERT ID can help by referring you to SQF Consultants or to training courses.

How long does an SQF audit take?

The initial SQF audit takes place in several stages. First, a Document Review (one full day) is conducted approximately 45 days in advance of the Site Audit. Non-conformances from the Document Review must be corrected and closed out before the site audit can begin. Site Audits are a minimum of 1.5 days. The SQF Site Audits are generally 1.5 - 3 days in duration and are determined by the size, number of employees and complexity of the site operations. Audits typically take place at one year intervals.

Would a pre-audit (pre-assessment) benefit my company in preparing for my certification audit?

You may find that a pre-audit would benefit your company. Pre-audits do not result in certification. However, they provide you with a mechanism that allows you to determine whether you are prepared for an official SQF audit visit. For companies that are undergoing their initial audit (do not currently hold a SQF certification) an official SQF audit may be conducted but the company could also elect to convert this official audit to a pre-audit (pre-assessment), scheduling their official audit at a later date. The option to convert to a pre-assessment is an alternative solution for companies that desire an opportunity to possibly obtain a higher grade on the official certification or may be an option for those companies conducting a pilot audit which would be used to determine readiness for other company sites seeking certification in the future. Whatever the purpose, a pre-assessment may be a solution in preparing your company for your certification. CERT ID Services can help you determine whether a pre-assessment best fits you in preparing you for your certification audit.

Are you experienced in the certification process?

Yes. CERT ID has extensive experience in third party certification. For more than a decade we have provided certification programs globally for growers, agricultural processors, food ingredient producers, food and feed manufacturers, animal producers and food retailers.

What is the duration of audit days for my on-site audit?

SQF requires that the audit duration be determined by using their set formula which is based on the number of employees, number of HACCP plans and size of the production facility. Other factors, such as in house lab, high risk processes, off-site storage, and complexity of processes may affect the audit duration by +/- .5 to 1 day. However, the basic formula will provide companies with a good estimate of the number of days needed to complete the audit visit. CERT ID Services can assist you in determining the estimated audit duration. It is the responsibility of CERT ID Certification – a division of CERT ID LC (the certification body) to verify the formula used to determine the audit duration is appropriate for the site to be certified.

What are your fees for certification?

Fees are based on the number of days it takes to complete the audit. The estimated duration of the audit will depend on many factors, e.g., which level you are certifying to (1, 2, or 3), complexity of your processes, number of process/packing lines, square footage of your facility, number of employees, high or low risk products, preparation, report writing, review of non-conformances, etc. This is all itemized in the proposal you receive from us prior to the audit. Once the audit is completed, you will receive an additional invoice for the auditor travel and lodging expenses.

If you have questions about how to obtain SQF certification or about GFSI (the Global Food Safety Initiative) contact:

CERT ID Services – a division of CERT ID LC

641-209-1899 ext. 106

info@cert-id.com

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