GFSI- Achieve Certification in 2016! In this presentation we will discuss the steps to achieve certification to a GFSI recognized certification scheme in 2016.

Understanding GFSI The Global Food Safety Initiative, GFSI The global food safety initiative is an industry driven global collaborative platform to advance food safety GFSI is not a certification scheme, and it does not carry out any certification activities GFSI recognizes other certification schemes when they meet minimum food safety requirements of the GFSI guidance document. Recognized certification schemes are listed on the GFS I website,

Understanding GFSI Your organization will choose one of the certification schemes The recognized certification schemes include: FSSC (fastest growing worldwide) SQF BRC IFS And others – review the list at

Planning for th Quarter 2015 – Complete Planning Steps (We will cover each in more detail) 1. Choose a certification scheme. 2. Assign a project leader. 3. Estimate a timeline. 4. Compare your system to the requirements to identify the work to be done to become compliant and build a task list. 5. Adjust the timeline based on the task list and your available resources.

1. Choosing a scheme The goal of GFSI – “Once Certified, recognized everywhere” means that any of the GFSI recognized schemes should also be recognized by customers. However, you will still want to think carefully about which standard to choose.

1. Choosing a scheme Things to consider: What standards are your customers and competitors certified to? You can look this up on the websites for the certification schemes. It will help you to know if there is one scheme that seems to be prevalent in your industry. What schemes are applicable to your industry? Not all standards are applicable across the food chain. For example, those farming grains would need to use PrimusGFS. See what standards apply at

2. Project Leader Assign a project leader that will move forward with training on the standard you choose. They will be able to learn the requirements and play a key role in the planning process. Enroll them in the online training program for the standard at The online training will explain the requirements of the standard and help the project manager understand what must be done to bring the organization into compliance.

3. Project Leader Assign a project leader that will move forward with training on the standard you choose. They will be able to learn the requirements and play a key role in the planning process. Enroll them in the online training program for the standard at The online training will explain the requirements of the standard and help the project manager understand what must be done to bring the organization into compliance.

3. Estimate a timeline Set a goal for obtaining certification. Consider: Customer requirements or requests for certification, preparing for FSMA, internal goals Set a start date for the implementation project Plan on starting approximately 6 months or more before you want to have your certificate if possible. Once you have implemented the system you will need to run the system and collect records before you can have your certification audit. There is also a delay between the audit and receiving your certificate.

4. The Gap Analysis Compare your system to the requirements to identify the work that must be done to become compliant with the standard, and build a Task List. This is called a Gap Analysis Use the online Gap Analysis Checklists and Tutorial at to prepare for and conduct the Gap Analysis. Sign your project manager up for this online course. Use the results of the Gap Analysis to make a task list, assign responsibilities and finalize your timeline.

5. Finalize your Timeline Use the results of the Gap Analysis to make a task list, assign responsibilities and finalize your timeline. List the tasks to be completed for each process Assign an implementation team for each process Create a Gantt chart for the teams Use the example in our Quick Start Guides, download at

2016 – 1 st Quarter Modify and Implement Processes As an estimate, it will take 3-4 months to fully implement and document processes and prerequisite programs. This can vary quite a bit from company to company. Use the Templates and Implementation Tools Package Provide each team with procedure or PRP templates, forms, task lists and tutorials to help them bring processes into compliance

2016 – 1 st Quarter Modify and Implement Processes Train an Internal Audit Team A typical number of auditors is 3-8 or more depending on the size of your organization. Start Internal Audits Train your team with the Online Internal Auditor Training. The online training includes a practice audit of Mandy’s Vanilla to prepare your auditors.

2016 – 2 nd Quarter Run Processes, Make Improvements You will need to collect records as evidence of conformance to your own system. Once processes have been implemented run the system. Make improvements based on verification activities such as internal audits

2016 – 3 rd Quarter Have your Certification Audit Your first certification will involve 2 audits The first focused on the documentation of the system, and meeting the requirements of the standard The second focused on the implementation and your day to day compliance with the system you built.

The tools that we have mentioned in this training are available as one package that allows multiple students to train. Premium Training and Implementation Package $1497 (Saves over 50% over individual purchases) Train your project manager and 5 others on the requirements of the standard and the prerequisite programs Give your project manager access to all the tutorials, templates, checklists, tools and forms Train your project manager and 2 others on Internal Auditing. More information: