Audits are a stressful and time consuming procedure for all involved, but a necessary evil. So why not make it a breeze and call in the best advice available? Roxanne Rolando talks to ProCert, a Swiss established certification body, about its approach to business.
With new legislations and Acts coming into play and the recent suspension of two certification bodies in SA the world of certification is bursting with change.
ProCert, a Swiss established certification body, arrived in SA last year October and with the current environment of the food industry, ‘there is a credible opportunity for ProCert and the response to ProCert has been overwhelmingly positive,’ says Debbie Brandt an auditor from Progress Excellence, a recognised ProCert business partner.
ProCert’s South African partner of choice is Western Cape-based Progress Excellence, with whom it has been collaborating for some time in the development and delivery of food safety training courses, not only in South Africa but also in West and Central Africa, mostly for Nestlé.
‘Due to an expanding need for such services and the ever-increasing concerns over food safety by both consumers and manufacturers, a decision was taken to strengthen our presence by establishing a local partner company, ProCert Southern Africa,’ comments Martyn Stephenson, the marketing director of ProCert.
‘By building on the combined strengths and experience of both organisations, ProCert Southern Africa is now able to offer clients - big multi-nationals and small-privately-owned companies alike - an expanded range of food safety training workshops plus Food Safety Management System (FSMS) certification services. With five locally-based auditors and trainers, we are able to offer services covering ISO/FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, BRC , IFS, OHSAS 18001, and NQMS (Nestlé), among others.’
But, being certified should not even be an option to food businesses nowadays, emphasises Brandt. The hard work that goes into receiving ISO/HACCP approval should not be overlooked, but it should no longer be seen as a unique achievement, rather an industry standard.
‘It’s not about the piece of paper. We want people that are serious about certification. That’s why we’re successful with the multinationals. Nestle doesn’t even display its certificates. The difference with ProCert,’ says Brandt, ‘we’re serious about certification. It’s not just a piece of paper. Businesses are looking for a long term certification relationship.’
On choosing ProCert as a credible certification body, Brandt exclaims at the recent suspension of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to perform BRC audits. ‘People cannot believe that certification bodies such as SABS have been suspended,’ she says, ‘and SABS had the bulk of the business.’
This, along with the new labelling legislation and the CPA, has bought the food industry under a lot of stress. Brandt says, ‘the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) is driving a lot of business.’
She continues, ‘Consumers don’t know what their rights are, but as soon as they do, they will act on it.’
ProCert commits to adding value to a business, and at times like these, seminars, workshops, publications and qualified and certified auditors couldn’t be of more importance.
Although ProCert sets itself apart as a distinct certification body striving to stay ahead of the rest, its philosophy couldn’t be plainer. Certification is no longer a unique attribute it is a standard and absolutely necessary procedure. ‘Ideally there should be one audit that everyone in industry accepts,’ concludes Brandt. But for now, choosing ProCert wouldn’t hurt.
A little bit about a professional certification body
All the basic accreditations of ProCert were delivered in 1997 by the Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS). Certifications are centralised in Switzerland – a pledge of quality, creditability and rigor. The multilateral agreements of which the SAS is a signatory guarantee a value and an international recognition of ProCert certificates
ProCert’s approach to business
Famous for its dry sense of humour, and Swiss wit, ProCert has made a name for itself in the food industry by using different mediums, such as cartoons, to get its message across. ‘Certification is so serious, it’s great to lighten it up.’
ProCert takes an active part in the work of ISO standardization or the owners of sectoral standards and keeps constant watch on the international trends;
systematically anticipates with its clients the transposition of these tendencies with tools, guides and strategic partnerships for enlarging the integrated offer and added value.
The auditors
Procert subjects all its management system auditors to an independent personal certification called ViaSyst which based on a complete and rigorous assessment of competences. ProCert works with auditors on the ground directed towards appropriate and effective solutions, competent and equipped pedagogically, mindful of the needs and culture of its clients; takes care to preserve light, simple and direct structures, allowing reduced costs.
