Looking for some input from the IFSQN community...
How does your company handle label updates? Does your company request updated specifications from suppliers on a regular basis, or is it outlined in your supplier agreement that they will provide updated specifications within a certain time frame after changes are made? What are the general expectations that everyone else has for supplier specification updates/label changes?
We do a little of both, and have recently sent out a letter to all of our suppliers requiring them to give us notification within a certain time frame when specifications/formulations are changed so that we have time to get our labels updated. However, I'm concerned with the enforceability of such an agreement as upper management tends to resist changing suppliers (as our letter threatens) unless it makes sense in $$ (full senior management commitment is an ongoing, separate issue).
Also - how does everyone handle label change transitions in the production facility from old labels to new? Both USDA and FDA labels? Temporary approvals for old USDA labels are easy to come by, but what about FDA labels that have changed?
Labeling is not technically in my job description and I am not well versed in it, but I seem to have a good chunk of the process placed in my lap lately. I just keep thinking that there has got to be a better, more straightforward way to handle all of this than what we are currently doing. A push or two in the right direction would be helpful! TIA