FSSC Transport & Storage review for implementation
In this article we look at what is needed to implement the FSSC Storage & Distribution Standard.
In this article we’re going to look at what is required to implement the FSSC Transport and Storage Standard.
This is the last in this series of articles, where we look at the FSSC22000 Standards and review them for implementation. In the previous articles we have covered:
Also, if you’d like to look at our previous series of articles which compares the BRCGS and the IFS Standards, they’re all here for you:
- Comparison and gap analysis of BRCGS Food Safety and IFS Food
- Comparison and gap analysis of BRCGS Packaging and IFS PACSecure
- Comparison and gap analysis of BRCGS Agents & Brokers with IFS Brokers
- Comparison and gap analysis of BRCGS Storage & Distribution and IFS Logistics
FSSC22000 Transport and Storage
In the FSSC Food review for implementation article we explained that we can’t compare the FSSC and BRCGS Standards, in the same way that we did for IFS. Because it’s like comparing apples and pears. We also explained the benefits and pitfalls of going with the FSSC Standard.
For this reason, we’re not comparing the Standards, but instead we’re providing you with a summary of what is needed under each of the 18 topic headings.
The FSSC22000 Transport and Storage Standard (including FSSC Quality*) is made up of the following:
- FSSC22000 Standard
- ISO9001
- ISO22000
- NTA 8059:2016 (Technical specification)
Under each of the 18 topics, we’ve split a summary of the requirements for ISO (9001 and 22000), FSSC and also the transport and storage technical specification.
*FSSC Quality is required to make this Standard comparible to BRCGS
1. Senior management commitment |
ISOThere must be effective communication systems in place. This includes receiving information from external sources and feeding that information through the relevant internal channels. Senior management must ensure that a Quality Policy is in place, along with the resources to achieve it. Roles, responsibilities and management are required and there must be a system of continuous improvement including management review. Management must appoint a competent person to manage the management system and this role must have the required authority to lead its continuous improvement. |
2. Document management |
ISOBefore the management system is developed there are a number of pieces of work that are needed, to establish:
Once this is done, a plan must be put in place to:
When the management system is developed or managed externally, the application and day-to-day management must remain the responsibility of the company. There is a specific section for customer focus to ensure that customer requirements are met. |
3. Continuous improvement |
ISONon-conforming product process is required. Internal audits are required. Corrective and preventive actions are needed. Root cause analysis is not specifically mentioned but implied through the need to determine the cause of non-conformances to establish preventive actions. Continuous improvement is a key focus and covers all aspects of the Standard. Transport and storage technical specificationA non-conforming product procedure required. |
4. Contingency |
ISOContingency plans for emergency situations and recall and withdrawal processes are required. Transport and storage technical specificationWithdrawal procedures are required. |
5. Hazard analysis |
ISOThe hazard analysis system must include OPRP’s (operational prerequisites). Hazards do not highlight radiological specifically. Hazard analysis is required for food safety purposes only; quality does not require hazard analysis. A process is required for handling products that are out of specification because they are unsafe. Transport and storage technical specificationPRP’s (prerequisite procedures) must be implemented to protect the product and this includes from radiological contamination. |
6. Contamination control |
FSSCAn allergen risk management system is required. Transport and storage technical specification
|
7. Product development |
FSSCLabelling must meet the legal requirements for the country where the product will be sold. ISOA product development process is required which ensures that quality objectives and customer requirements are met, including:
|
8. Supplier management |
ISOWhere suppliers are used for systems, products or services which relate to the management system they must be selected based on set criteria and then monitored. The system must verify that purchased materials comply with specification. Transport and storage technical specification
|
9. Testing |
FSSCExternal labs used for product safety testing must comply with ISO17025 requirements. A risk based environmental monitoring programme is required for food and packaging sites. A system of monitoring, measuring and analysis needs to be implemented, which ensures that the product and process meets specification. Monitoring equipment must be accurate. Customer satisfaction must be measured. |
10. Maintenance |
Transport and storage technical specification
|
11. Product defence |
FSSCBoth a threat assessment and also a vulnerability assessment is required. There is now a new FSSC guideline about how product defence should be handled, which is similar to an interpretation guide. Transport and storage technical specificationThere must be controls in place for food defence of the site, transport and distribution. |
12. Training |
ISOPersonnel who work internally or who support externally, must be competent in their role. The company must set the competency required and then ensure that this is met. Competency must include an understanding of:
|
13. Personnel |
ISOThere is a specific section of the Standard about resources. To ensure that the required resources are provided to meet the needs of the management system and in the case of personnel, they must be competent. It also states that the work environment that is provided for personnel must be suitable. This means it must be suitable from:
Transport and storage technical specification
|
14. Site standards |
ISOAlso within the resources section, the company must provide the resources needed to ensure that the physical infrastructure of the site is fit for purpose and maintained. Transport and storage technical specification
|
15. Microbiologically controlled facilities |
Not mentioned specifically. |
16. Hygiene |
ISOCustomer property (product) that is unsuitable for use must be controlled. Transport and storage technical specification
|
17. Process control |
ISOOperational processes are required, suitable to the operation. This includes traceability. Transport and storage technical specificationTraceability is required throughout the process (They call this ‘product identification’ and they call the trace/batch code an ‘identifier’). |
18. Storage and distribution |
FSSCTransport and system conditions must minimise the risk to product. ISO
Transport and storage technical specification
|
Summary
- FSSC requires the implementation of many documents; FSSC22000, ISO 22000, ISO 9001 and for transport and storage the NTA 5089 (please note; when we refer to ‘FSSC’ in this summary we mean FSSC and all the associated documents).
- When reading through the different sections and requirements, there’s nothing really that stands out as different – other than needing aspects such as OPRP’s.
- The way a management system for FSSC needs to be put together is totally different to BRCGS.
- It requires a great deal of initial preparation and much more focus on establishing and developing the needed controls.
- There is a ‘flow’ throughout the Standard. Everything you do for FSSC has a purpose; an input and an output. The output of which then leads into the input of the next requirement.
- This ‘input and output’ theory could be drawn as a flow chart and is a totally different way of thinking from BRCGS.
- The language used in FSSC is difficult to read and understand.
- The requirements are very brief as they are all based on risk, so it’s very open to interpretation (rightly or wrongly) and there is no interpretation guide.
- There is more detail in the NTA 8059 technical specification for transport and storage, than the other technical specs for food and packaging. Some requirements are very prescriptive, for example; not wearing pens behind your ears, which we thought was an interesting point to pick out!
What do you think?
So, what are your thoughts on FSSC and the work that would be needed?
What do you think about the additional requirements?
What do you think about the topics that are not included?
Share your thoughts with your fellow techie’s and add them to the comments box below.
Have your say…
One thought on “FSSC Transport & Storage review for implementation”
Share your thoughts…
We've tagged this article as: audit protocol
Extra Helpings
If you've enjoyed this post why not try these related articles…
Do we get to see the results of the poll?