UKAS, our role in the process
IFST Food Auditing Conference
13th October 2011
UKAS – who we are
• 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 Members
Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
Association of British Certification Bodies
British Retail Consortium
British Measurement & Testing Association
Confederation of British Industry
Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply
Chartered Quality Institute
Consumer Focus
Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Federation of Small Businesses
Food Standards Agency
Health & Safety Executive
Health Protection Agency
Local Government Regulation
Ministry of Defence
Safety Assessment Federation
Science Council
Department 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?
G o ve rn m e n t
re co g n itio n
U K AS
A c c re d ita tio n
P e e r e va lu a tio n to
in te rn a tio n a l sta n d a rd s
In te rn a tio n a l sta n d a rd s
C O N F O R M IT Y A S S E S S M E N T
T e stin g , ca lib ra tio n , ce rtifica tio n ,
in sp e ctio n , va lid a tio n , e va lu a tio n
S ta n d a rd s/re g u la to ry
re q u ire m e n ts/sch e m e crite ria
P R O D U C T A N D S E R V IC E P R O V ID E R S
P ro d u cts, e q u ip m e n t, se rv ice s, p e o p le ,
m a n a g e m e n t syste m s e tc
C O N FID E N C E
G O VERNM ENT
T R U ST
CO NSU M ERS
A SSU R A N C E
PU RCHA SERS
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