Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is an internationally recognised approach to identifying, evaluating and controlling food safety hazards.
HACCP certification provides independent assessment of an organisation’s food safety controls and demonstrates that a structured system is in place to identify potential biological, chemical and physical hazards throughout the food production and handling process.
International Associates provides independent HACCP certification services to organisations operating throughout the food supply chain.
What is HACCP?
HACCP is a systematic, preventative approach to food safety. Rather than relying solely on inspection or testing of finished products, HACCP focuses on identifying potential hazards and establishing appropriate controls at the points where they can be prevented, eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels.
A HACCP system is based around seven internationally recognised principles:
- Conduct a hazard analysis
- Determine the Critical Control Points (CCPs)
- Establish critical limits
- Establish monitoring procedures
- Establish corrective actions
- Establish verification procedures
- Establish documentation and record-keeping procedures
These principles provide organisations with a structured framework for managing food safety risks and demonstrating effective control throughout their operations.
Who is HACCP Certification for?
HACCP can be applied across a wide range of organisations involved in the production, processing, storage, distribution and handling of food and food-related products.
This can include:
- Food manufacturers and processors
- Food packaging operations
- Catering and food service providers
- Restaurants and commercial kitchens
- Warehousing and distribution companies
- Importers and exporters
- Agricultural and primary production businesses
- Ingredient and raw material suppliers
- Retail and wholesale food businesses
HACCP certification can also support organisations that need to demonstrate effective food safety controls to customers, retailers, supply-chain partners and other interested parties.
Benefits of HACCP Certificate
Independent HACCP certification can help your organisation:
- Identify and control significant food safety hazards
- Demonstrate a structured approach to food safety management
- Strengthen customer and supply-chain confidence
- Improve consistency in food safety controls
- Support compliance with applicable food safety requirements
- Reduce the risk of food safety incidents
- Improve traceability, monitoring and record keeping
- Demonstrate due diligence and effective operational controls
- Support access to customers and markets requiring evidence of HACCP implementation
The HACCP Certification Process
International Associates follows a structured certification process designed to provide an independent assessment of your HACCP system.
1. Application and Review
We review your organisation, activities, products, processes, locations and certification requirements to establish the appropriate scope and audit requirements.
2. HACCP Audit
An appropriately competent auditor assesses the implementation and effectiveness of your HACCP system. This includes reviewing your hazard analysis, Critical Control Points, operational controls, monitoring arrangements, corrective actions, verification activities and supporting records.
The audit also evaluates whether the HACCP system has been effectively implemented within the organisation’s day-to-day operations.
3. Certification
Following successful completion of the audit and certification review process, a HACCP certificate is issued confirming the scope of certification.
Where nonconformities are identified during the audit, these will need to be appropriately addressed as part of the certification process.
4. Ongoing Certification
Ongoing audits are undertaken in accordance with the applicable certification programme to confirm that the HACCP system continues to be effectively implemented and maintained.
HACCP and Other Management Systems
HACCP can operate as a standalone food safety system or form part of a wider management system.
For organisations already operating certified management systems, HACCP controls can often be incorporated into existing processes covering areas such as document control, competence, internal audits, corrective action and management review.
International Associates can provide certification across a range of management system and supply-chain programmes, allowing organisations with multiple certification requirements to work with a single certification partner where appropriate.
Why International Associates?
International Associates is an international certification and assurance provider supporting organisations across a wide range of industries and countries.
Our approach focuses on professional, competent and impartial auditing that provides organisations with meaningful assessment of their systems and controls.
Through our international network of auditors and offices, we can support organisations operating at individual sites as well as businesses with multiple locations and international supply chains.
If you are considering HACCP certification, International Associates can help you understand the certification process and establish the audit requirements for your organisation. Contact our team today to discuss your HACCP certification requirements and request a quotation.