Assurance Box

Industry Standards

This is a list of Industry Standards and Good Practices. Use the Area of Application and Location filters to narrow your results.

• BS8555

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Environment

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    Building on BS EN ISO 14001 and the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), this British...moreBuilding on BS EN ISO 14001 and the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), this British Standard provides guidance to all organizations on the phased implementation, maintenance and improvement of a formal Environmental Management System (EMS).
    
    BS 8555 makes particular reference to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) but is applicable to any organization, regardless of the nature of the business activity undertaken, location or level of maturity.
    
    It outlines an implementation process that can be undertaken in up to six separate phases and allows for phased acknowledgement of progress towards full EMS implementation.
    
    It also includes advice on the integration and use of environmental performance evaluation techniques during the implementation process and the co-ordination of an EMS with other management systems.
    
    BS 8555 will help all organizations improve their environmental performance and their supply chain relationships with the following guidance:
    
    Describes a six-phase incremental approach to implementing an EMS using environmental performance evaluation.
    Provides information to organizations on environmental performance management and the use of environmental performance indicators.
    Helps organizations satisfy the environmental criteria increasingly being set in contract tenders by new and existing major clients.
    Can be used by organizations who may wish to self-declare or seek voluntary phased recognition throughout the implementation process.
    Beyond this, those using the standard can:
    
    choose to engage in environmental performance management to the level commensurate with the risks they face
    identify and maximize the areas of greatest potential return on investment
    demonstrate to interested parties that progress is being made towards the target level of environmental management.

  • Link to Standard

    http://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030077920

  • Act/Regulation

    • BS8555

• SA 8000

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Labour

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    SA8000 is an international standard to promote worker’s rights and enable employers to...moreSA8000 is an international standard to promote worker’s rights and enable employers to sustainably implement a systems-based approach to ensuring decent and ethical working conditions. This standard is based on the principles of the international human rights norms and national labour law to promote worker’s best interest, with a view to sustainable livelihoods and employment. It is based on the principle that ensuring worker’s rights and well-being is not a ‘burden’ for employers but an investment in human resources that leads to healthy and sustainable workplace for all. SA 8000 is the first auditable social standard and is independent of government bodies and single interest groups. This standard is verifiable through evidenced-based process.
    
    It is based on the UN Declaration of Human Rights, conventions of the ILO, UN and national law, and spans industry and corporate codes to create a common language to measure social performance. It takes a management systems approach by setting out the structures and procedures that companies must adopt in order to ensure that compliance with the standard is continuously reviewed.
    
    
    SA8000 measures the performance of organisations in eight key areas: child labour, forced and Cumpulsory labour, health and safety, freedom of association and collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours and remuneration.
    
    Benefits of SA 8000
    SA8000 certified facilities enjoy a competitive advantage and workers experience concrete benefits. Some of the benefits are detailed below:
    
    - Enhances company and brand reputation
    - Transparency to Stakeholders
    - Improves employee recruitment, retention and productivity
    - Supports better supply chain management and performance
    
    Certification to the SA 8000 requires every facility seeking certification to be audited. Auditors visit factories to assess corporate practice on a wide range of issues and evaluate the state of a company's management systems. A certificate is awarded attesting company’s compliance to SA 8000. The certificate is a testimony of the organisation's good practice processes and significantly improves workplace conditions. The certification process is a multiple-step process.

  • Link to Standard

    http://sa-intl.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=937

  • Act/Regulation

    • SA 8000

• EU Directive 2003/94/EC

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    It lays down the principles and guidelines of good manufacturing practice in respect of...moreIt lays down the principles and guidelines of good manufacturing practice in respect of medicinal
    products for human use and investigational medicinal products for human use.

  • Link to Standard

     

  • Act/Regulation

    • EU Directive 2003/94/EC

• ISO 9001:2008

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    ISO 9001:2008 sets out the criteria for a quality management system and is the only standard in the...moreISO 9001:2008 sets out the criteria for a quality management system and is the only standard in the family that can be certified to (although this is not a requirement). It can be used by any organization, large or small, regardless of its field of activity. In fact ISO 9001:2008 is implemented by over one million companies and organizations in over 170 countries.
    
    This standard is based on a number of quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. These principles are explained in more detail in the pdf Quality Management Principles. Using ISO 9001:2008 helps ensure that customers get consistent, good quality products and services, which in turn brings many business benefits.
    

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_9000

  • Act/Regulation

    • ISO 9001:2008

• WERC Warehouse Assessment and Certification Program

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Good Practices - Warehouse, Transport, Logistics, Manufacturing

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    The WERC Warehouse Assessment and Certification Program is a voluntary program that assesses an...moreThe WERC Warehouse Assessment and Certification Program is a voluntary program that assesses an individual warehouse facility’s capabilities and its ability to perform core warehousing functions.
    
    Providing a robust industry standard-grading methodology which includes facility inspections and process assessments by independent third parties, certified auditors benchmark and grade warehouse operations against a 5-point scale.

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.werc.org/resourcecenter/cert_process_detail.aspx

  • Act/Regulation

• SAFE QUALITY FOOD STANDARD (SQF) CERTIFICATION

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Food, Good Practices - Warehouse, Transport, Logistics, Manufacturing

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    The SQF programme is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) as a scheme that can...moreThe SQF programme is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) as a scheme that can offer a seamless ‘field to fork’ food safety and quality certification solution. It provides supply chain management for both primary production and food manufacturing and distribution.
    
    The SQF system consists of the SQF Code Edition 7 and its corresponding guidance documents. It is a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), quality-based supplier assurance code designed to meet the food safety and quality system requirements applied by a primary producer.
    
    The SQF Institute’s Code is a rigorous and internationally-credible food safety management system. The SQF Certification programme and SQF training courses provide all food manufacturing, distribution and trading organisations with an opportunity for continuous improvement.
    
    There are three levels of certification available with SQF Code Edition 7:
    
    Level 1: Food Safety Fundamentals
    Level 2: Certified HACCP Food Safety Plans
    Level 3: Comprehensive Food Safety and Quality Management Systems
    

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.sgsgroup.in/en-GB/Trade/Consumer-and-Industrial-Goods/Global-Schemes/Global-Food-Safety-Initiative-Certification/Safe-Quality-Food-Standard-SQF-Certification.aspx

  • Act/Regulation

• ISO 27001

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    An information security standard, compliance with which is sufficient for the purposes of providing...moreAn information security standard, compliance with which is sufficient for the purposes of providing 'reasonable security' under the Information Technology (Reasonable security practices and procedures) Rules.

  • Link to Standard

     

  • Act/Regulation

    • ISO 27001

• FSSC 2200

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Food

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    (Food Safety System Certification standard), is the latest certification scheme for food...more(Food Safety System Certification standard), is the latest certification scheme for food manufacturers. The scheme is based on the integration of ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management Systems standard and Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 220. Supported by the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the European Union (CIAA), FS 22000 has been fully approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). 

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.fssc22000.com/en/

  • Act/Regulation

    • FSSC 2200

• ISO 22000:2005

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Food

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    ISO 22000:2005 specifies requirements for a food safety management system where an organization in...moreISO 22000:2005 specifies requirements for a food safety management system where an organization in the food chain needs to demonstrate its ability to control food safety hazards in order to ensure that food is safe at the time of human consumption.
    
    It is applicable to all organizations, regardless of size, which are involved in any aspect of the food chain and want to implement systems that consistently provide safe products. The means of meeting any requirements of ISO 22000:2005 can be accomplished through the use of internal and/or external resources.

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=35466

  • Act/Regulation

    • ISO 22000:2005

• BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 6

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Food

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 6, covers food safety and management of product...moreThe BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 6, covers food safety and management of product quality in food packing and processing operations. The BRC Food Standard was one of the original GFSI Benchmarked schemes and is used around the world with certificates in over 100 countries and has in excess of 15,000 certificated sites. The Standard is owned by the British Retail Consortium and written and managed with the input of an international multi-stakeholder group made up of food manufacturers, retailers, foodservice and certification body representatives.

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.brcglobalstandards.com

  • Act/Regulation

    • BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 6

• SQF Code 7th Edition Level 2

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Food

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    The SQF Code has been redesigned for use by all sectors of the food industry from primary...moreThe SQF Code has been redesigned for use by all sectors of the food industry from primary production to transport and distribution. Edition 7 applies to all industry sectors and replaces the SQF 2000 Code edition 6 and the SQF 1000 Code edition 5.
    
    The SQF Code is a process and product certification standard. It is a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)-based food safety and quality management system that utilizes the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Food (NACMCF) and the CODEX Alimentarius Commission HACCP principles and guidelines. The SQF Code is intended to support industry or company branded products and offers benefits to suppliers and their customers. Products produced and manufactured under the SQF Code certification retain a high degree of acceptance in global markets.

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.sqfi.com/standards/

  • Act/Regulation

    • SQF Code 7th Edition Level 2

• CanadaGAP (Canadian Horticultural Council On-Farm Food Safety Program)

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Food

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    CanadaGAP™ is a food safety program for companies that produce, pack and store fruits and...moreCanadaGAP™ is a food safety program for companies that produce, pack and store fruits and vegetables. It is designed to help implement effective food safety procedures within fresh produce operations.
    
    The program was benchmarked to and officially recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Audit and certification services for the program are delivered by accredited Certification Bodies.

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.canadagap.ca/canadagap-program/overview/

  • Act/Regulation

    • CanadaGAP (Canadian Horticultural Council On-Farm Food Safety Program)

• Global Red Meat Standard (GRMS)

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Food

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    The Global Red Meat Standard, GRMS, is a scheme specifically developed for the red meat industry....moreThe Global Red Meat Standard, GRMS, is a scheme specifically developed for the red meat industry. Its cornerstone is product safety, focusing on critical areas affecting the maintenance of high meat safety requirements.
    
    The objective of the Global Red Meat Standard is to deliver transparency about the food safety, quality and hygiene systems that are implemented in factories that slaughter, cut, debone and handle meat and meat products from pork and beef. The transparency is delivered through an independent certification process based on EN 45011.
    
    The Standard comprises the entire production chain and is, therefore, applicable to all aspects of transport, lairage, stunning, slaughtering, deboning, cutting and handling of meat and meat products.

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.grms.org/About_GRMS.aspx

  • Act/Regulation

    • Global Red Meat Standard (GRMS)

• Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Food

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000) is a robust, ISO-based, internationally...moreFood Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000) is a robust, ISO-based, internationally accepted certification scheme for assessment and certification of food safety management systems in the whole supply chain. FSSC 22000 uses the existing standards ISO 22000, ISO 22003 and technical specifications for sector PRPs. The certification is accredited under ISO guide 17021 and recognized by GFSI. The non-profit Foundation for Food Safety Certification retains the ownership, copyright and the licence agreements for certification bodies.

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.fssc22000.com/en/

  • Act/Regulation

    • Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000

• GlobalG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance Scheme

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Food

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    G.A.P. stands for Good Agricultural Practice – and GLOBALG.A.P. is the worldwide standard that...moreG.A.P. stands for Good Agricultural Practice – and GLOBALG.A.P. is the worldwide standard that assures it. GLOBALG.A.P. is an affiliate organisation of a not-for-profit trade association with a crucial objective: safe, sustainable agricultural production worldwide. It sets voluntary standards for the certification of agricultural products around the globe - and more and more producers, suppliers and buyers are harmonizing their certification standards to match.
    
    The GLOBALG.A.P. flagship standard is the Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard which covers crops, livestock and aquaculture and emphasizes a progressive, holistic approach to farm certification.

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.globalgap.org/export/sites/default/.content/.galleries/documents/121027-InfoKIT_FarmAssurer_web_en.pdf

  • Act/Regulation

• Global Aquaculture Alliance Seafood Processing Standard

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Food

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    The Global Aquaculture Alliance is an international, non-profit trade association dedicated to...moreThe Global Aquaculture Alliance is an international, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture. Through the development of its Best Aquaculture Practices certification standards, GAA has become the leading standards-setting organization for aquaculture seafood.

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.gaalliance.org/cmsAdmin/uploads/bap-procplant-513.pdf

  • Act/Regulation

• The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)

   

  • Area of Application

    Companies, Food

  • Location

    International

  • Description

    In today's global environment, food safety is more important than ever. Safeguarding the food...moreIn today's global environment, food safety is more important than ever. Safeguarding the food supply is a complex and challenging responsibility. As a result, many of the world's largest food companies, retailers, and manufacturers have set higher food safety standards, choosing to mandate supplier compliance with one of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)* standards.
    
    The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) was established to ensure confidence in the delivery of safer food to consumers, while continuing to improve food safety supply chain management. GFSI provides a benchmark to ensure consistency between countries and the products that have been certified. These global food safety standards address food, packaging, consumer goods, storage, and distribution for primary producers, manufacturers, and distribution. GFSI-benchmarked food safety standards include: Safe Quality Food (SQF), British Retail Consortium (BRC), International Food Safety (IFS), Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC), and Global GAP (Good Agricultural Practices).

  • Link to Standard

    http://www.nsf.org/business/global_food_safety_standards/

  • Act/Regulation

    • The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)