UKAS, our role in the processIFST Food Auditing Conference

13th October 2011

• The National Accreditation Body

• Accreditation – the recognition of competence of organisations to perform specific tasks – calibration, inspection, testing and certification

• UKAS assesses for compliance against criteria of competence (international standards)

UKAS – who we are

• Established 1995 by Ministers as a private company limited by guarantee

• Operates under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)

• Monitored by BIS and peer assessed internationally

• New EU Regulation has strengthened accreditation

• Accreditation recognised as a public authority activity

• UKAS appointed as National Accreditation Body by The Accreditation Regulations 2009

UKAS – who we are

UKAS MembersAcademy of Medical Royal CollegesAssociation of British Certification Bodies British Retail ConsortiumBritish Measurement & Testing AssociationConfederation of British IndustryChartered Institute of Purchasing & SupplyChartered Quality InstituteConsumer FocusDepartment of Environment, Food & Rural AffairsDepartment for Business, Innovation and SkillsFederation of Small BusinessesFood Standards AgencyHealth & Safety ExecutiveHealth Protection AgencyLocal Government RegulationMinistry of DefenceSafety Assessment FederationScience CouncilDepartment of Health

UKAS Members represent:

• Government– BIS, DEFRA, DPA, HSE, FSA, HPA, DH

• Our direct customers– ABCB, BMTA, SAFed

• End users– BRC, CBI, FSB

• Professional interests– CQI, CIPS, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges,

The Science Council• Consumer interests

– Local Government Regulation, Consumer Focus

UKAS Policy Advisory Council (PAC)

• In addition to the 19 Members, UKAS aims to consult with a broader base of stakeholders

• UKAS holds an annual Policy Advisory Forum (PAF) attended by more than 60 stakeholder groups

• The PAF elects a small group of delegates to a Policy Advisory Council which works on specific topics

• The aims and requirements of UKAS are to ensure that views from various users of accreditation can be canvassed and to allow these groups to have a direct influence on UKAS policy

Where do we fit in?

UKAS

Accreditation

Government recognition

International standards

Peer evaluation to international standards

CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT Testing, calibration, certification, inspection, validation, evaluation

Standards/regulatory requirements/scheme criteria

PRODUCT AND SERVICE PROVIDERS Products, equipment, services, people,

management systems etc

CONFIDENCE TRUST ASSURANCE GOVERNMENT CONSUMERS PURCHASERS

UKAS Activities

• UKAS is not responsible for writing or maintaining a standard

• UKAS is required to meet the requirements of ISO 17011 and is regularly peer reviewed

• How UKAS assesses any particular standard is shaped by the scheme owner (and stakeholder) input

• Not all standards can be accredited by UKAS

UKAS underpins…..

…..the credibility and robustness of a wide spectrum of standards and services, ranging across:

• Quality management – BIS

• National measurement system - NMO

• Drinking water quality – DEFRA

• Environmental Management - DEFRA

• Emissions Trading Scheme – DEFRA

• Food safety & quality – DEFRA/FSA

• Forensic laboratories – Home Office

• National DNA database – Home Office

UKAS underpins…..

…..the credibility and robustness of a wide spectrum of standards and services, ranging across:

• Asbestos testing & surveying - HSE

• Customer Service Excellence - Cabinet Office

• Gas safe register – HSE

• Construction products testing – DCLG

• High Speed Rail Interoperability – DfT

• Medical laboratories – DH

• Imaging services – DH

• Carbon measurement - DECC

Accreditation and Certification

• UKAS assesses and accredits “conformity assessment bodies”

• In the food area UKAS directly accredits approximately 150 food microbiology labs and 100 food chemistry labs

• However, a number of certification bodies (e.g. SAI Global, CMI, BSI, Lloyds Register) are accredited by UKAS

• Accredited certification schemes have the widest reach across the food industry

• Some of the schemes/standards we accredit…

Standards accredited by UKAS (not an exhaustive list)

• BRC Global Standard (GFSI recognised)• FSSC 22000 (GFSI recognised)• Global Red Meat Standard (GFSI recognised)• International Food Standard (GFSI recognised)• ISO 22000 FSMS• Scottish Quality Salmon• Red Tractor (beef, lamb, poultry, pork) & livestock

transport• RSPCA/Freedom Food welfare standards• LEAF (Linking Environment and Farms)

Standards accredited by UKAS (not an exhaustive list)

• GAFTA (grain and feed) Assurance Scheme• NACB – catering butchers standard• Combinable crops and sugar beet• Assured Dairy Farms – production of milk• UFAS – Universal Feed Assurance Scheme • BRC Consumer Products Standard

– Packaging and distribution– Flowers and ornamentals

UKAS assessment visits

• What we are looking for is evidence to give confidence in the manufacturing process to deliver a safe wholesome product.

• The management system to deliver good administration of the process from application to certificate issues. Focus on contract reviews and technical competence requirements

• Confirmation that what is written in the process is delivered in the field

• Authorisation of approved auditors• Review of the report content, justification for the

certification decision & objective evidence

Witnessed assessments

• The auditing “soft skills” are assessed (questioning techniques, technical knowledge, tenacity)

• Review the auditor’s role and ability to apply their experience

UKAS and international requirements

• EU Regulation requires UKAS to be peer reviewed by the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA)

• EA also has multi-lateral agreements with other accreditation groups (Americas, Asia Pacific)

• This ensures the equivalence and acceptance of accreditation certificates around the world

EA Multilateral Agreement (Testing)

ILAC Arrangement

ILAC Arrangement

UKAS – our role in the process

• UKAS does not write the standards• UKAS is required to meet the ISO 17011

standard in the way it operates • However, continuous dialogue with scheme

owners and standard owners can help improve the accreditation process

• Active participation by stakeholders and members in the various formal meetings in welcome