3. Continuous improvement
Verifying corrective and preventive actions
Once a non-conformance action is complete, it must be verified to ensure that it’s been actioned effectively – before it’s closed.
This article is written to meet the following sections of the Standards:
| BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 | 3.7 Corrective and preventive actions |
| BRCGS Packaging Issue 6 | 3.6 Corrective and preventive action |
| BRCGS Agents & Brokers Issue 3 | 3.9 Corrective and preventive actions |
| BRCGS Storage & Distribution Issue 4 | 3.3 Corrective and preventive action |
| FSSC 22000 Version 5.1 | ISO 22000: 10.1 Nonconformity and corrective action |
| IFS Food Version 7 | 5.11 Corrective actions |
| SQF Edition 9 | 2.5.3 Corrective and preventative action |
Introduction
Once a non-conformance action (corrective or preventive) is complete, it must be verified to ensure that it’s been actioned effectively – before it’s closed.
Requirements
Verifier
The verifier is the gatekeeper of the actions. They ensure that only appropriately defined and suitably completed actions are closed.
The verifier must be impartial; therefore, they must not be accountable or responsible for completion of the action itself.
Action verification
The action verifier must check that the:
- Scope of the action has considered other relevant locations, products or procedures.
- Action has been taken within the agreed timescale.
- Action is appropriate to correct the problem.
- Action will prevent recurrence in the case of preventive actions.
- Action is effective.
Evidence
The action must be verified by checking the evidence that’s been provided. Where insufficient evidence is provided the action verifier must review the implementation of the action.
Close or reject
Where the action is verified as successfully complete, then it can be closed. The non-conformance action system manager must be notified, so that when all associated actions are verified as complete – the non-conformance can be closed.
If the action hasn’t been completed effectively, then it must be returned to the accountable manager for further action. Guidance must be provided as to what action must be taken.
Verifying corrective and preventive actions
The mini training ‘verifying corrective and preventive actions’ is the last in the series. It teaches those who are authorised to verify actions, what to look for and how to assess evidence before they can be finally closed. It explains how to determine if the action taken is appropriate.
Continuous improvement mini training
Verifying corrective and preventive actions
This eLearning course will teach you how to verify corrective and preventive actions, to ensure that they’ve been completed effectively before closing them out. The course is specifically designed for the role of action verifier, so it explains their responsibilities and how to complete the 4-step process of verification.
The verifier is one of the most important roles in the non-conformance action process, as they are the gatekeeper – preventing insufficiently completed actions from being closed. The course explains how this must be completed and how the person carrying it out must be impartial.
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