Option C was designed to meet the needs of Canadian suppliers with international customers, who may require them to implement food safety systems that are equivalent to international programs such as GlobalGAP, Safe Quality Food (SQF 1000), British Retail Consortium (BRC) standards or other international food safety standards recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI).
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has formally benchmarked and approved certification options B and C as meeting international requirements for on-farm food safety.
To allow Canadian suppliers to continue using the CHC OFFS Program while also satisfying the demands of international customers, Option C certification includes an Annual Audit on-site. Some domestic customers may also require their suppliers to be certified under Option C, or may require it only for identified “high-risk” suppliers. This option is equally available to producers, storage intermediaries or packers who would simply prefer an annual on-site visit.
Cost Implications
Option C is more costly than other options due to the Annual Audit. Costs will vary somewhat depending on the scope, size and location of your operation and the duration of your audit.
Option C involves three cost components:
- Annual Program Enrolment Fee
- Audit Fees
- 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, pursue international benchmarking and maintain our government recognition status, collect and analyse data, monitor developments in food safety science and media, offer technical support to the CBs, communicate to program participants, program marketing/education, office overhead, staff and related expenses.
2) Audit Costs Paid directly by the program participant to the Certification Body. Covers the CB’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.
What is Benchmarking?
Official processes are available under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and GlobalGAP programs to obtain formal recognitions of equivalency. During the benchmarking process, the CHC OFFS Program is rigorously reviewed by a group of experts to ensure that the food safety requirements as well as program delivery, certification and management systems are comparable to other recognized programs.
CanadaGAP certification options B and C have undergone benchmarking by GFSI and have been formally recognized by GFSI.
The CHC continues with benchmarking of its program to GlobalGAP standards, in order to obtain a formal recognition of equivalency and satisfy customers who are requiring GlobalGAP.