UKAS, our role in the process

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UKAS, our role in the process IFST Food Auditing
Conference 13th October 2011
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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)

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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

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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
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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

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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

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Where do we fit in?
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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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Witnessed assessments

• The auditing soft skills are assessed
  (questioning techniques, technical knowledge,
  tenacity)
• Review the auditors role and ability to apply
  their experience

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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

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EA Multilateral Agreement (Testing)
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ILAC Arrangement
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ILAC Arrangement
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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