STORIES FROM PRACTICE – Part One: INTEGRITY AUDIT

Given that your favorite part during training is when we share practical examples, we’re starting a series of texts featuring various challenges our colleagues have faced and successfully resolved together 😊. We believe these will help you in case you encounter similar situations 😊.

We also invite you to share examples with us and your colleagues that you think could benefit everyone 😊.

Additionally, please write to us about the challenges you are facing, and we will share examples where we have been able to assist our partners 😊.

Let’s get started! 😊

Story 1: What Happens When You Fail an Integrity Check?

I believe that the possibility of an integrity check is a “nightmare” for all companies that apply GFSI standard requirements.

What is an Integrity Program?

An Integrity Program ensures the quality of GFSI standards and the certification process by:

• Controlling the work of approved auditors,
• Certification bodies, and
• Certified companies.

The program ensures compliance with standard rules and prevents gaining a competitive advantage in the market among certification participants.

How are the audited companies selected ?

Based on two criteria:

• Risk-based approach
• Complaints received from retailers, clients, and other stakeholders.

What do integrity checks look like?

Checks are mostly unannounced (announced 30 minutes before arriving at the audited location). In the case of major or KO ratings, the process is the same as if major or KO ratings were received during a certification check.

What happens if the location does not accept the integrity check?

In this case, the certificate is withdrawn.

Why are companies afraid of integrity checks?

In the event of major or KO ratings, the certificate is withdrawn, and clients whose contracts depend on the certificate are automatically informed, which can lead to numerous negative consequences for the company.

What does it look like in practice?

Due to client contract obligations (or preferences), we do not disclose who we have worked with (or are currently working with) regarding our numerous services on our website. We also do not publish videos, images, or other materials created during training, consultations, and checks.

Therefore, we will provide examples without mentioning our partners and/or the type of industry in question.

Two years ago, one of our partners was visited by an integrity check. At that time, we were not collaborating, so we could not assist during this type of check, as is the case with other partners we work with. The check was conducted unannounced, right when the company was in its “season,” meaning they had more work than usual, trying to meet all customer requirements while the standard “had to wait.” 😊

Unfortunately, the findings were negative for the company, leading to the withdrawal of their certificate. This further resulted in the termination of contracts with customers whose condition for product delivery was precisely the CERTIFICATE! You would say: a nightmare. It pretty much looks like that at first. Suddenly, you find yourself without significant customers, with nearly 50% of product sales gone, and you can already see the consequences… A rather unpleasant situation.

What should you do?

There’s nothing to do but prepare the system for recertification.

Since our partners had been managing their FSMS by their own employees until then, they realized they needed expert help because this time “they must obtain the certificate”; otherwise, losing major clients is inevitable.

The good news is that clients will not automatically write you off because they all organize their supplier audits and are aware that mistakes are a part of the job.

What did we do?

First, we conducted a thorough internal audit to familiarize ourselves with the state of the quality and product safety system. Then, over the following months, we focused on the minutest details, implementing all standard, legal, and client requirements.

Needless to say, the result was expected: obtaining the certificate and continuing to work with old clients, as well as gaining new ones. 😊

So, even if unpleasant situations arise, there is always a solution with the right partners.

But even better, to prevent these situations from happening, work with the right partners! 😉