Option A1, the four-year audit cycle, was specifically designed to meet the Canadian government requirements for on-farm audits. For a facility to be certified to the program in the first year the operator must successfully complete a full on-site audit.
In Years 2, 3 and 4, the operator is required to submit a sworn declaration that the facility continues to comply with CanadaGAP program requirements. The declaration is accompanied by a self-assessment checklist that is reviewed by the Certification Body, and a Random Audit program.
The random audit component provides a statistically-validated basis to maintain program rigour in the years where producers are not automatically scheduled for on-site visits. “Random” does not mean a surprise visit; it means that a grower could be randomly chosen for an audit during any or all of the three self-assessment years. The collective enrolment fees paid into the program will cover the costs of the random audits and self-assessments so that those randomly selected are not penalized or asked to bear a disproportionate share of the costs.
IMPORTANT: You are advised to check with your customer regarding acceptance of various CanadaGAP certification options.
Table 1 below provides an overview of each year’s Audit Activity for participants certified to Option A1 of the CanadaGAP program:
Option A1 Audit Activity
| |
Full Audit |
Self-Assessment (self declaration and completed checklist) |
Random Audit |
Triggered Audit* |
| Year 1 |
•
|
|
|
|
| Year 2 |
|
•
|
Possible |
Possible |
| Year 3 |
|
•
|
Possible |
Possible |
| Year 4 |
|
•
|
Possible |
Possible |
| Year 5 |
Repeat Cycle |
|
|
|
*A triggered audit would only be deemed necessary to investigate a potential food safety risk at a particular site. These could be triggered as a follow up to an on-site visit or a self-assessment. The cost of triggered audits would be borne by the producer/packer. Participants can avoid triggered audits by managing risks as outlined in the CHC OFFS Manual.
Costs
Option A1 involves three cost components:
- Annual Program Enrolment Fee
- Audit Fee
- Auditor Travel Expenses
1) Annual Program Enrolment Fee Paid by the program participant to the CHC. Covers CHC’s costs to administer the program, process enrolment applications, maintain the technical standards and training materials, oversee Certification Bodies, maintain our government recognition status, collect and analyse data, monitor developments in food safety science and media, offer technical support to the Certification Bodies, communicate to program participants, program marketing/education, office overhead, staff and related expenses. Also covers the fees charged by the Certification Body (to CHC) for review of self-assessments and for performing audits on companies randomly selected as part of Year 2, 3, 4 surveillance program.
2) Audit Costs Paid directly by the program participant to the Certification Body. Covers the Certification Body's cost to deliver audit and certification services including auditor’s time to perform audits, auditor travel time and expenses, technical review of audit reports, follow-up on corrective actions, issuing certificates, administration and office overhead, billing functions, etc.
3) Auditor’s Travel Expenses Costs vary depending on location of the facility, closest available auditor, and proximity to other audit sites. Every effort will be made to schedule audits in such a way to minimize auditor travel expenses.