Following BRCGS' Extraordinary Event Restrictions advice there are now 3 options available to keep your audits up to date: 

  1. Regular Onsite Audit
  2. Hybrid / Blended Certification Audit
  3. Remote Certification Audit

To understand each of these options please see the descriptions and application instructions below.

Please note that Remote audits and Certificate Extensions are considered as “last resort” activities. Sites should try and ensure that either Regular or Hybrid / Blended audits are organized whenever possible.

Late audits: Facilities which have their audit after the due date shown on the certificate will attract a non-conformance.

Option 1: Regular Onsite Certification Audit

If you are in a position to receive a regular Certification Audit, we will do all that we can to fulfill that need. We comply with the most stringent requirements. The usual audit and Certification fees apply as per your contract.

Apply for Regular Onsite Certification Audit

  1. Contact us at certification@aibinternational.com.

Option 2: Hybrid / Blended Certification Audit

BRCGS080 allows for the “office audit” to be conducted remotely using ICT and within 28 days the on-site audit will be carried out. The duration will typically be divided approximately 50/50 (e.g. a Standard 2 day audit becomes 1 day virtual and 1 day on-site). It is available across all Standards and all certificate grades but can only be done announced.

The usual audit and Certification fees apply as per your contract.

Apply for Hybrid / Blended Certification Audit

  1. Review the criteria and preparation guide.
  2. Fill out the Application Form and submit to certification@aibinternational.com.

Option 3: Remote Certification Audit

BRCGS updated their BRCGS086 document describing "Remote Audits". This option is available to sites certified to:

  • Food Safety, Start!, Packaging, Storage & Distribution and Gluten Free Standards.
  • The site has explored all other options and both site and Certification Body agree that the Remote audit is the last resort.
  • Certification body and site have completed a feasibility assessment.

BRCGS has issued a concession to the Certification Body to allow for the Remote audit to proceed.It should be noted that whilst all activities are undertaken in line with guidance from the International Accreditation Forum, this methodology does not yet form part of the GFSI benchmark documents. Therefore, before pursuing this option sites are strongly advised to consult with clients or Specifiers.The entire audit will be conducted remotely, and this includes the site tour. Consequently, facilities are strongly advised to conduct a feasibility exercise before applying for a Remote Audit. The feasibility exercise should consider site safety (i.e. there are environments where items such as cell phones should not be used due to risk of explosion) and practicality (i.e. in noisy environments it may be impossible to interact with the auditor during the site tour, some parts of the site may not be able to receive wireless signals). Sites should note that additional time and therefore fees may be associated with this Remote Audit option due to pre-audit testing of the ICT platforms with the auditor and possible lost time should the ICT platforms fail to work as expected.

The usual audit and certification fees apply as per your contract.

Apply for Remote Certification Audit

  1. Review the criteria and preparation guide.
  2. Fill out the Risk Assessment Application and submit to certificationi@aibinternational.com.

Questions?
certification@aibinternational.com