Management
GRMS Management
Download Manual and Procedures here
The aim of the management of the Global Red Meat Standard is to ensure integrity and consistency of the audit and certification process for all users. This means that an audit should be carried out in the same way, irrespective of country of production, Certification Body or auditor. The audit protocol of the Standard is detailing responsibilities of the Certification Body and auditors, and adherence and understanding of the audit protocol is monitored by the GRMS Secretariat.
The performance of Certification Bodies is formally reviewed annually including a risk-based integrity program for control and management of Certification Bodies and auditor performance.
The key performance indicators (KPI) are:
- On site duration of the audit
- Audit frequency
- Time frame for report submission
- Auditor witnessing
- Auditor performance monitoring
- Number of audits per auditor
- Time frame for the completion of client non-conformities
The five key areas assessed (based on evaluation of KPIs):
- Quality of audit reports (a sample of audit reports is reviewed)
- Compliance to protocols (how audits are undertaken and reported)
- Issue of audit reports and certificates (within defined timeline)
- Communications with the DAFC
- Communications with auditors
The aim of the performance monitoring is to ensure continuous improvement and DAFC will require an action plan to be submitted and demonstrated by the Certification Body in case of unsatisfactory performance.
Feedback and referrals from users of the scheme provides a valuable input for ensuring the scheme is working in practice. DAFC may make office visits or office audits of Certification Bodies and accompany auditors on audits at sites to observe the performance of auditors.
The DAFC may also undertake risk-based scheduled or unscheduled audits of certified sites to ensure standards of food safety, quality and animal welfare are being maintained in line with their certification status and ensure that audit and reporting process is to the expected standard.
As part of the performance monitoring, the DAFC provides annual feedback on the performance of each Certification Body through announced Key Performance Indicators.
The contractual agreement with Certification Bodies includes procedures for granting, suspension and withdrawal of certification services for the scope of GRMS and for sanction execution against non-compliant Certification Bodies.