We currently have 300+ pallets at another location. Most of these are distributed to customers from that location, some are brought back to our facility.
I brought this point up several times to the auditor and he indicated that this may not be approved by the certification body (they approve before the auditor).
Well.. I don't know your auditor or CB and while there is usually a time frame for NC's to be accomplished in there are usually also a level of understanding when it comes to major projects.
3.2 Facility Audit Corrective Actions
All non-conformities and their resolution shall be documented by the SQF auditor.
A minor non-conformity shall be corrected, verified and closed out in the SQF assessment database within thirty
(30) calendar days of the completion of the facility audit. Extensions may be granted by the certification body
where there is no immediate threat to product safety and quality, and alternative, temporary methods of control
are initiated. The supplier shall be advised of the extended timeframe. Extended timeframes for close out of minor
non-conformities shall not impede and delay certificate issuance.
A major non-conformity shall be corrected and appropriate corrective action verified and closed out in the SQF
assessment database within fourteen (14) calendar days of the completion of the facility audit.
In circumstances where the corrective action involves structural change or cannot be corrected due to seasonal
conditions or installation lead times, this period can be extended provided the corrective action time frame is
acceptable to the certification body and temporary action is taken by the supplier to mitigate the risk to product
safety or quality. However, in such cases, the non-conformity must still be closed out on the SQF assessment
database and the auditor shall document all details of justification of the extension, how the risk is being
controlled, and the agreed completion date.
If the SQF auditor considers that a critical non-conformity exists during a facility audit, the auditor shall
immediately advise the supplier and notify the certification body. A critical non-conformity raised at a certification
audit results in an automatic failure of the audit, and the supplier must re-apply for certification (refer to 3.5
below).