Pre-Assessment

What is a Pre-Assessment?

A pre-assessment is not quite an “audit”, it is a broad overview of a food safety system to determine how ready your company is for the actual audit process. The duration of the pre-assessment is usually traditionally about “0.5-1” – “1-2” days, depending on the size of your facility.

The purpose of the pre-assessment is to help reveal potential nonconformances that may arise. Think of the pre-assessment as the “dress rehearsal” to your certification audit. However, pre-assessments do not guarantee that all nonconformances will be uncovered.

During the pre-assessment, the PJRFSI audit team will review your management system to ensure that it meets the elements of the standard to which you are being audited (i.e., SQF, GLOBALG.A.P., etc.). If any nonconformances are discovered, they will be summarized on a Pre-Assessment Report, which also details the strengths of your food safety system. The auditor will also include if you are ready for the certification audit or not.

Benefits of Pre-Assessments:

• Identifies your management system strengths and weaknesses
• Evaluates how your company’s current food safety system stacks up against the standard
• Focuses your company’s attention on the areas that need strengthening
• Helps your company’s staff gain knowledge of the auditing process
• Aids your company in eliminating unnecessary preparations for your audit
• Increases your company’s probability of success
• Allows your company to gain experience in handling an audit and auditors
• Let’s your company gain an understanding of PJRFSI’s audit team practices

What to expect during your pre-assessment:

Opening Meeting

PJRFSI auditors will sit down with your management team to discuss the scope of the pre-assessment and answer any questions that arise.

Documentation Review

The audit team will review your procedures and documented food safety system to measure compliance with the applicable standard.

Food Safety System Assessment

The audit team will observe your facility, conduct interviews, request documents and examine equipment to measure compliance to the standard.

Closing Meeting

The audit team will present the findings both verbally and in a written report. A summary of strengths and actual/ potential system nonconformities will be presented. Corrective action is not necessary for nonconformities uncovered during a pre-assessment.

For more information on the pre-assessment process or to receive a free quote, call us at (248) 519-2523 for a Project Manager in your area!