The compliance challenge
The most expensive time to discover a gap is during the certification audit. Non-conformances raised there affect grades, require formal closure evidence and can delay customer approval.
Sites are frequently confident in their documentation but less prepared for the evidence trail, staff interviews and site standards an auditor will examine.
About this service
A certification readiness assessment simulates the certification audit: documentation review, traceability exercise, site inspection and staff interviews, conducted the way an auditor would conduct them.
The result is a residual gap list with the time available to fix it, and a clear recommendation on whether the audit date is realistic.
Scope of support
- Full documentation and record review against the applicable standard
- Site inspection covering fabrication, hygiene, segregation and housekeeping
- Staff interviews to test understanding and practice
- Traceability and mock recall exercise
- Verification of internal audits, management review and corrective actions
- Review of validation and verification evidence
- Assessment of the evidence history available for audit
- Residual gap report with risk rating and closure priority
- Recommendation on audit timing
- Audit-day preparation briefing for the site team
How the consultancy works
- 1
Pre-review
Confirm the standard, audit date, scope and the certification body's expectations.
- 2
Simulated audit
Run the assessment on site using an auditor's methodology and sampling.
- 3
Findings
Report residual gaps with evidence, risk rating and effort to close.
- 4
Closure support
Support the team to close findings before the audit.
- 5
Final check
Verify closure and brief the team on audit-day expectations.
Relevant standards
- BRCGS
- FSSC 22000
- SQF
- HACCP-based certification schemes
Who this suits
- Sites with a certification audit booked
- Sites certifying for the first time
- Sites that received significant non-conformances at the last audit
- Businesses transitioning to a new standard or issue
Compliance and operational benefits
- Residual gaps identified while there is time to fix them
- A realistic view of audit readiness before the date arrives
- A team that knows what to expect and how to present evidence
- Reduced risk of major non-conformances and grade impact