New Consultation Opens for GFSI Benchmarking Requirements v2024

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New Consultation Opens for GFSI Benchmarking Requirements v2024

Started by Tony-C, Jul 16 2024 04:59 AM

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Tony-C

IFSQN Fellow

4 Replies

16 July 2024 - 04:59 AM

Hi Everyone,

New Consultation Opens for GFSI Benchmarking Requirements v2024

Full Notification on GFSI website here.

From the GFSI website:

'GFSI invites all stakeholders to participate in its continuous improvement journey. As the largest entity in its field, GFSI aims to remain pertinent and relevant to its members and the wider food industry community. The Benchmarking Requirements (BMRs) serve as the foundation of GFSI’s benchmarking activities and must be fit for purpose in driving harmonisation in food safety systems management.

The BMRs also aim to clearly communicate GFSI’s expectations by setting out tangible and objective criteria for the benchmarking process, leading to GFSI recognition and ensuring that this recognition is maintained. With this in mind, the Benchmarking Harmonization Working Group (BHWG) has been working diligently to meet tight deadlines and share the outcomes of their discussions.

A key reminder of the objectives for this review of the GFSI BMRs, which includes incorporating relevant updates, such as those from Codex, since the last publication of the GFSI BMRs in 2020.

Zoom in: BMR v2024 Improvements

The revision incorporates several key changes to clarify the intent behind the modifications, addressing feedback from stakeholders involved in GFSI Benchmarking activities. These changes include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

GFSI Benchmarking Process: Enhancements to the eligibility criteria, overall process duration, roles and responsibilities, escalation process, and sanctioning process.

Allergen Management: Introduction of an element of systematic validation to strengthen allergen management plans.

Food Safety Culture: Emphasis on incorporating “food safety culture” terminology into food safety management systems, with a specific call-out to its importance.

Multi-Site Certification: Clear distinction between head office central functions and a multi-site approach in certification audits, improving the clarity, and effectiveness of the certification process.

Alignment with Codex: Updates to align with the Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene, ensuring that the revisions are consistent with international food safety standards.

These improvements aim to enhance the precision, efficiency, and robustness of the GFSI Benchmarking process, responding directly to the needs and feedback of the food safety community.

Participate by taking these steps:

1. Download the file below.

BMR-2024-Stakeholder-consultation-comments-.xlsx 610.97KB 15 downloads

2. Review Requirements:

For each impacted BMR, you will find a brief summary of the working group discussions on that specific topic.

3. Provide Comments:

In the "Comments" column, you may suggest alternative wording and/or share your thoughts on that specific BMR

4. Ask Questions:

In the "Questions" column, you may ask GFS for additional clarity on a particular aspect of the requirement.

5. Important Note:

Be sure to follow Steps 3 and 4 as entries placed in the wrong columns will not be considered.

6. Save and Submit:

Upon completion. save and rename the spreadsheet as your own and attach it to an email and send to afsibm@theconsumeraoodsforum.com b 17 September 2024.

GFSI greatly values your participation so please be sure to send submissions by 17 September 2024.'

Kind regards,

Tony

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