The compliance challenge
Before committing to a certification project or responding to a customer requirement, businesses need an honest picture of where they stand — not an optimistic self-assessment.
Without that baseline, projects are under-scoped, budgets are wrong and audit dates are set before the site can realistically be ready.
About this service
A gap assessment reviews the documented system and the site against the requirements of the applicable standard or regulation, and reports what is compliant, what is partially in place and what is missing.
The output is a practical, prioritised action plan with responsibilities and realistic timeframes — usable as the project plan for the work that follows.
Scope of support
- Gap assessment against BRCGS
- Gap assessment against FSSC 22000 (ISO 22000, PRPs and additional requirements)
- Gap assessment against the SQF Food Safety Code
- HACCP plan and hazard analysis review
- Australian retailer and customer standard assessments
- Regulatory compliance assessment against applicable Food Standards Code requirements
- Review of existing food safety systems and documentation
- Certification readiness assessment prior to an audit
- Site walk-through covering fabrication, hygiene and process controls
- Written report with findings, risk rating and priority actions
How the consultancy works
- 1
Scoping
Confirm the standard, sites, products and processes to be assessed.
- 2
Document review
Review the food safety plan, procedures, records and verification evidence.
- 3
Site assessment
Walk the process, observe practice and interview staff at each stage.
- 4
Analysis
Compare findings against each requirement and rate the risk and effort to close.
- 5
Reporting
Issue a written report with a prioritised action plan and recommended sequence.
- 6
Debrief
Walk management through the findings and agree next steps and resourcing.
Relevant standards
- BRCGS, FSSC 22000, SQF and HACCP
- Food Standards Code and state or territory requirements
- Australian retailer and customer-specific standards
Who this suits
- Sites considering certification for the first time
- Businesses responding to a new customer requirement
- Certified sites preparing for a recertification or unannounced audit
- Businesses that have recently changed process, site or ownership
Compliance and operational benefits
- A clear baseline before committing budget or booking an audit
- Identification of compliance gaps, missing procedures and implementation weaknesses
- Visibility of training needs, record-keeping issues and site standard issues
- A prioritised, costed and sequenced action plan
- A realistic timeline to audit readiness