| Option A1, A2, E and F (not GFSI recognized) | Options B, C and D | |
|---|---|---|
| What kind of notice is provided by the CB? | Early in the year, the CB contacts clients chosen for an unannounced audit to inform them that they have been selected and to gather information and what will need to be seen.
The Certification Body provides notice 2-5 business days advance notice before the audit is to occur. |
Early in the year, the CB contacts clients chosen for an unannounced audit to inform them that they have been selected and to gather information and what will need to be seen.
The operation receives no advance notice of the unannounced audit date. |
| Is there more than 1 unannounced audit option? | No | Starting October 1, 2021, CanadaGAP offers new unannounced audit (UA) options for program participants enrolled in certification options B, C, and D:
At the discretion of the CB, they may also make available the second option (UA Option 2). **An operation should check with their Certification Body to confirm whether this new unannounced audit option 2 is available** |
| Option A1, A2, E and F (not GFSI recognized) | Options B, C and D | Options B, C and D | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How many audits will there be in a year? | One.
The unannounced audit will take place instead of a scheduled audit. |
UA Option 1
One. The unannounced audit replaces that year’s regularly scheduled audit. |
UA Option 2
Two. One announced audit, scheduled as usual during the usual timeframe AND One unannounced audit during a general timeframe (“audit window”) determined by the CB and confirmed with the program participant. |
| What will the timing of the unannounced audit be? | The unannounced audit will occur when activities relevant to the scope of the operation’s certification are occurring. | UA Option 1
The unannounced audit must be timed such that the auditor can observe the crops/activities that need to be seen that year. Blackout period of up to five Failure to keep the CB updated on timing of crops/activities that need to be observed, can lead to loss of certification. |
UA Option 2
For the timing of the unannounced audit: The CB will set and inform the client of the unannounced audit “window”, typically a 30-day timeframe. It is possible that the unannounced audit “window” will be outside of the operation’s peak season of activity. The operation may indicate 1 blackout date for every 6 days within the window. |
| What will the cost be for the unannounced audit? | The program participant pays for one (unannounced) audit that year, since the unannounced audit replaces a regularly scheduled audit. | UA Option 1
The program participant pays for one (unannounced) audit that year, since the unannounced audit replaces a regularly scheduled audit. If a second attempt is needed for the CB to perform the unannounced audit, audit fees will be charged for both visits. |
UA Option 2
The program participant pays for two audits that year, both the announced and unannounced audits. Paying for an extra audit allows the program participant to plan for their regular audit during peak season, and to have advance notice of the audit “window” for the unannounced visit. This cost only applies in the year the operation is chosen for an unannounced audit. |
More detailed information around unannounced audits can be found in the guidance document here.