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BRCGS Packaging Materials Issue 7, October 2024

Certification of the global standard for packaging materials

Incentive

Product safety within the value added chain of manufacturing food products is gaining more and more importance and is making an essential part of the requirements of customers to the manufacturers of food packaging. By implementation of the standard and with subsequent certification, manufacturers of food packaging are experiencing support by assurance of product safety, quality and legal compliance. The duty of care is fulfilled by an optimized hygiene management and by maintenance of «good manufacturing practice». Risks of contamination are controlled and safe packaging for food products is reliably provided.

Outcome

BRC Global Standard for Packaging Materials requirements are providing manufacturing of safe, high quality level and legally compliant products and are assuring optimization of process control and minimization of risks.

Target groups

Companies and organizations of any size, manufacturing packaging materials.

Validity

1 year - the publisher of the standard is stipulating an annual re-certification.

Recognition

The SQS certificate has international recognition.

Combinations

BRC Global Standard for Packaging Materials is compatible with ISO 9001 (Quality management) and all other management system standards.

Lead Auditor
Markus Zehnder
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IFS Logistics; international featured standards; Version 3.0; December 2023

Standard for auditing logistics services in relation to product safety and quality

Incentive

The IFS Logistics Standard secures the reliable execution of logistics contracts.

Outcome

By the application of the IFS Logistics Standard the product safety chain will be closed between manufactured and trade. The standard is internationally recognized and in general, a certification is causing a minimization of supplier audits. A company certified according the IFS Logistics Standard has a clear advantage in competition.

Target groups

National and international companies with logistics activities

Validity

1 year

Recognition

The IFS Logistics SQS Certificate is valid internationally and is recognised as the GFSI standard by wholesalers worldwide.

Combinations

The IFS Logistics Standard can be combined with ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), ISO 22000 (food safety management system), IFS Food (Standard for auditing quality and food safety of food products) and IFS Broker.

Lead Auditor
Denise Kistler
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IFS Broker; international featured standard; Version 3.2; February 2024

Standard for auditing Trade Agencies’, Importers’ and Brokers’ service compliance in relation to product quality and safety.

Incentive

Product quality and product safety within the value added chain and the trade chain is gaining more and more importance and it is an essential part of the requirements of legislators and customers. By implementation of the standard and subsequent certification, brokers, commercial agencies and importers are contributing to the implementation of the requirements covering the entire value added chain and therefore are raising the own competence in the field of quality and safety. Additionally, by the introduction of the Broker standard, the transparency over the entire chain of delivery will be increased, whereby a basic need of the consumer will be covered.

Outcome

Meeting the requirements of IFS Broker standard one the one hand ensures adequate communication, but also trade with high quality, safe and legally compliant products. The certified company is dealing with the existing risks and is implementing accordant actions in a target oriented manner.

Target groups

SQS is offering the IFS Broker certification in the field of trade with food. Therefore, the target groups are brokers, traders, trade agencies and importers of food.

Validity

One year.

Recognition

As all IFS-products, the IFS Broker standard is an internationally recognized standard.

Combinations

The IFS Broker standard can be combined with the standards ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management) ISO 22000 (Food safety management systems), IFS Food Standard (Food safety standard) and IFS Logistics Standard (standard for service provisions in the field of logistics).

Lead Auditor
Denise Kistler
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SODK OST+:2023

External review of institutions for disabled people

Incentive

The SODK-OST+ quality guidelines have been used successfully in many institutions for over 10 years. The quality guidelines are the most frequently used instrument for quality assurance in German-speaking Switzerland. The guidelines promote the protection of the personal rights of service users, strengthen their self-determination and autonomy and, when implemented, contribute to social participation.

Outcome

Certification based on the SODK-OST+ quality guidelines supports the continuous improvement and further development of the service provision. The implementation of the criteria promotes, among other things, the target orientation, self-determination, participation and autonomy of the service users. In some cantons, the SODK OST+:2023 certificate is a prerequisite for performance agreements.

Target groups

Organisations with outpatient and inpatient services for people with support needs. Such services can be in the areas of housing, work and/or day structure.

Validity

Three years - for the purposes of continual further development, a surveillance audit takes place once a year and after three years a recertification audit.

Recognition

The requirements of cantonal supervisory authorities relating to internal and external audits vary. The responsible cantonal local authority is exclusively in a position to specify whether or not an external certification by SQS according to SODK OST+ is recognised.

Combinations

SODK OST+:2023 can be expanded with ISO 9001 (Quality management), ISO 14001 (Environmental management) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management) to become a process-orientated and integrated management system, which creates comprehensive added value.

Lead Auditor
Dario Schlegel
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IRIS Certification® rev.04 (ISO 22163:2023 and IRIS Certification® Performance Assessment:2023) of the Union of European Railway Industry (UNIFE)

Rail applications - Railway quality management system - ISO 9001:2015 and specific requirements for application in the rail sector

Incentive

Proof of compliance with the rules and regulations for rail vehicle manufacturers and rail operators.

Outcome

The IRIS-certification serves to improve the quality and safety in the entire supply chain of the rail vehicle industry. It is applicable for companies with product development-, manufacturing- and maintenance activities along the entire supply chain. The aim is a continuous improvement with emphasis on error prevention and -reduction in the supply chain as well as the improvement and maintenance of product quality and its safety aspects.

Target groups

Companies and organisations in the rail vehicle industry.

Validity

3 years - there is an annual audit to ensure that standards are being maintained and a recertification audit after 3 years.

Recognition

The certificate is published on www.iris-rail.org and is internationally valid.

Combinations

The standard includes the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/TS 22163:2017 and can be combined with all regulations and standards.

Lead Auditor
Fatih Haciismailogullari
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ISO 3834-4:2021 without combination with ISO 9001

Elementary quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials

Incentive

According to ISO 9000, welding is a so-called «special process» which «cannot be validated easily or economically». Therefore, the specific requirements are defined in the ISO 3834-2 standard. It helps your welding company to meet quality requirements of customers and to produce high-quality and reliable products for the regulated and non-regulated field. Certification according to ISO 3834-2 creates confidence among your customers and reduces your liability risk.

Outcome

ISO 3834-4 supports customer-oriented solutions and optimises process control. It reduces risks and costs.

Target groups

Manufacturers of welded components in regulated and unregulated fields.

Validity

3 years - there is an annual audit to ensure that standards are being maintained and a recertification audit after 3 years.

Recognition

The SQS certificate of conformity with ISO 3834-4 has international validity and is recognised worldwide through the IQNET membership.

Combinations

Stand-alone certification without combination with ISO 9001 (quality management); other standards on request.

Lead Auditor
Christoph Abert
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ISO 3834-2:2021 without combination with ISO 9001

Comprehensive quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials

Incentive

According to ISO 9000, welding is a so-called «special process» which «cannot be validated easily or economically». Therefore, the specific requirements are defined in the ISO 3834-2 standard. It helps your welding company to meet quality requirements of customers and to produce high-quality and reliable products for the regulated and non-regulated field. Certification according to ISO 3834-2 creates confidence among your customers and reduces your liability risk.

Outcome

ISO 3834-2 supports customer-oriented solutions and optimises process control. It reduces risks and costs.

Target groups

Manufacturers of welded components in regulated and unregulated fields.

Validity

3 years - there is an annual audit to ensure that standards are being maintained and a recertification audit after 3 years.

Recognition

The SQS certificate of conformity with ISO 3834-2 has international validity and is recognised worldwide through the IQNET membership.

Combinations

Stand-alone certification without combination with ISO 9001 (quality management); other standards on request.

Lead Auditor
Christoph Abert
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ISO 3834-3:2021 without combination with ISO 9001

Standard quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials

Incentive

According to ISO 9000, welding is a so-called «special process» which «cannot be validated easily or economically». Therefore, the specific requirements are defined in the ISO 3834-2 standard. It helps your welding company to meet quality requirements of customers and to produce high-quality and reliable products for the regulated and non-regulated field. Certification according to ISO 3834-2 creates confidence among your customers and reduces your liability risk.

Outcome

ISO 3834-3 supports customer-oriented solutions and optimises process control. It reduces risks and costs.

Target groups

Manufacturers of welded components in regulated and unregulated fields.

Validity

3 years - there is an annual audit to ensure that standards are being maintained and a recertification audit after 3 years.

Recognition

The SQS certificate of conformity with ISO 3834-3 has international validity and is recognised worldwide through the IQNET membership.

Combinations

Stand-alone certification without combination with ISO 9001 (quality management); other standards on request.

Lead Auditor
Christoph Abert
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IFS Food; international featured standards; Issue 8, April 2023

Standard for assessing the product- and process conformity with regard to food safety and -quality

Incentive

In order to meet international specifications for food retailers, the IFS (GFSI recognised process) is suitable for the implementation of and compliance with food safety.

Outcome

IFS Food Standard certification is world wide accepted by retailers and brand owners. The companies address the product- and process-specific hazards and risks in a well-founded manner, thereby increasing product safety. Companies are required by the standard to live and promote a food safety culture. The audits are carried out by qualified auditors approved by the IFS. Through the audits, some of which are unannounced, the certified company is obliged to maintain the level at a constantly high level and to fulfil the requirements at all times.

Target groups

Food- and food ingredient manufacturers who require a worldwide- and GFSI-recognised certificate.

Validity

1 year

Recognition

The IFS Food SQS Certificate is valid internationally and is recognised as the GFSI standard by wholesalers worldwide.

Combinations

IFS Food can be combined with all norms and standards.

Lead Auditor
Denise Kistler
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FSSC 22000 V6

Certification of food safety management systems - requirements for companies throughout the food chain
The ISO/TS 22002 series covers the practical implementation (preventive programs, PRP).

Incentive

FSSC 22000 (GFSI approved procedure) is suitable for the implementation of and compliance with food safety in order to meet international food specifications

Outcome

The implementation of the specifications of standards (PRP, HACCP, traceability, recall/return, verification/validation, etc.) guarantee food safety requirements.

Target groups

Food and food ingredient manufacturers, packaging material manufacturers, feed and pet food manufacturers, catering companies as well as logistics service providers.

Validity

3 years - there is an annual audit to ensure that standards are being maintained and a recertification audit after three years.

Recognition

The SQS certificate of conformity with FSSC 22000 Issue V6 (Food) has international recognition.

Combinations

FSSC 22000 can be combined with all norms and standards.

Lead Auditor
Lisa Thiele
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FSSC 22000
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