GFSI BENCHMARKING REQUIREMENTS

VERSION 2020

PART I
THE GFSI
BENCHMARKING
PROCESS
 version 2020

Part I - The GFSI

Benchmarking Process

Contents

Introduction....................................................................................................... 3

1. Section 1: Eligibility Criteria .................................................................. 3

2. Scopes of Recognition ................................................................................... 4
Table 1: the GFSI scopes of recognition ...................................................... 4
3. Application Options ........................................................................................ 7
4. The GFSI Benchmarking Methodology ..................................................... 7
5. The Key Procedural Steps ............................................................................. 8
Table 2: the GFSI Benchmarking Process .................................................. 9
APPLICATION .................................................................................................... 9
DESKTOP REVIEW........................................................................................... 10
OFFICE VISIT ..................................................................................................... 11
CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN ........................................................................ 11
PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION ................................................ 12
IMPLEMENTATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ..................................... 12
GFSI BOARD FINAL DECISION AND COMMUNICATION ..................... 12
ANNUAL MONITORING OF CONTINUED ALIGNMENT ........................ 13
Table 3: The GFSI Key Procedural Steps .................................................. 14
6. Sanctioning ..................................................................................................... 23
Appendix 1 — GFSI Workplan ..................................................................... 25

2 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

INTRODUCTION
The Global Food Safety Initiative aims to improve • Carried out in an impartial and transparent manner
food safety and business efficiency. GFSI’s work in by a technically competent Benchmarking Leader
benchmarking and harmonisation fosters mutual under the supervision of the GFSI Technical Manager,
acceptance of GFSI-recognised Certification • Transparent and open to stakeholder scrutiny,
Programmes across the industry and enables a • Reviewed, maintained and updated to ensure
simplified “once certified, recognised everywhere” consistency and integrity.
approach. This reduces inefficiencies from duplication
of audits and helps reduce trade barriers. A Certification Programme may have a major focus or a
historical focus other than those related to food safety.
The GFSI Benchmarking Requirements are built Only those specified requirements in the Certification
through consensus of experts; they form a shared and Programme relating to food safety shall be assessed
widely-accepted understanding of what constitutes a by GFSI for the purpose of GFSI recognition.
robust food safety certification programme.
GFSI has defined in a Glossary of terms used in
Part I of the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements specifies the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements. Part IV,
the GFSI Benchmarking Process, the method for the the glossary, is an integrated part of the GFSI
recognition of food safety Certification Programmes. Benchmarking Requirements and definitions shall be
The objective of this document is to give a clear insight applied accordingly in Certification Programmes.
into this process. Further details may be provided on
request and during the application process. For further information and support:
[email protected].
The steps and procedures detailed in this document
ensure that the GFSI Benchmarking Process is:

1. Section 1: Eligibility Criteria

The Applicant Certification Programme Owners are • The Certification Programme Owner has in place ten
required to satisfy the below eligibility criteria: valid accredited certificates for each GFSI scope of
recognition including in the application, including at
• The Certification Programme Owner is a legal entity, least one valid certificate issued by each contracted
• The Certification Programme is not governed or Certification Body during a 12-month period prior
owned by a public or governmental entity, to the date of the application. These certificates
• There is commitment from a minimum of three shall be issued against the version of Certification
organisations representing the retail / food service Programme concerned by the application,
or producing / manufacturing sectors to use the • The Certification Programme has been operational
Certification Programme, for a minimum of 12 months prior to the date of
• The Certification Programme Owner has an application. During this period, certificates have
agreement with one or more Accreditation Bodies been issued to a number of organisations. A
for Certification Bodies to operate to ISO / IEC 17065 Certification Programme is deemed to become
or ISO / IEC 17021 for the scope of their Certification operational on the date on which the first accredited
Programme. The Accreditation Bodies granting certificate is issued by a Certification Body,
accreditation to the scope of the Certification • The Certification Programme Owner is not
Programme shall be members of the International undergoing any significant changes,
Accreditation Forum (IAF) and shall be signatories • The Certification Programme Owner does not have
to the Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA), any practises deemed as restricting access to markets,
• The Certification Programme Owner has contractual • The Certification Programme Owner has undertaken
relationships with at least two Certification Bodies a self-assessment to validate that it is in alignment
that have accreditation for the scope of their with the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements.
Certification Programme,

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2. Scopes of Recognition
GFSI has defined scopes of recognition related to • Part II of the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements
products or services, listed in table 1. defining the key elements applicable to all
Certification Programme Owners applying for
When selecting the GFSI scope(s) of recognition for recognition, regardless of their selected GFSI
their application, the Certification Programme Owner scope of recognition,
shall ensure that the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements • Part III of the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements
related to their selected GFSI scope(s) of recognition defining the key elements applicable to Certification
are clearly addressed in their normative documents, as Programme Owners, only those key elements
these shall be assessed against them, namely: defined in the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements
defined for the GFSI scope(s) of recognition
included in the application apply.

Table 1: the GFSI scopes of recognition

GFSI SCOPE OF
SCOPE NUMBER /
RECOGNITION BENCHMARKING
SCOPE NAME /
(BENCHMARKING CATEGORY NAME
SCOPE DEFINITION
CATEGORY CODE)

Raising of animals (other than fish and seafood) used

for meat production, egg production, milk production or
Farming of Animals honey production.
AI for Meat/ Milk / Growing, keeping, trapping and hunting (slaughtering at
Eggs / Honey point of hunting)
Associated temporary farm packing without modification
or processing of the product.

Raising of fish and seafood used for meat production.

Growing, trapping and fishing slaughtering at point of
Farming of Fish
AII capture.
and Seafood
Associated temporary farm packing without modification
or processing of the product.

Growing or harvesting of plants (other than grains and

pulses), including horticultural products and hydrophytes
Farming of Plants (other
BI for food.
than grains and pulses)
On farm storage of plants (other than grains and pulses),
including horticultural products and hydrophytes for food.

Farming of Grains Growing or harvesting of grains and pulses for food

BII
and Pulses On farm storage of grains and pulses for food.

4 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

 Activities on harvested plants, including horticultural
products and hydrophytes for food, that keep the products
whole and integral.
Pre-process handling Cleaning, washing, rinsing, fluming, sorting, grading,
BIII
of plant products trimming, bundling, cooling, hydro-cooling, waxing,
drenching, packing, repacking, staging, storing, loading
/ or any other handling activity that does not significantly
transform the product from its original harvested form.

Conversion of animal carcasses intended for further pro-

cessing.
Animal primary
C0 Including Lairage, slaughter, evisceration, bulk chilling,
conversion
bulk freezing, bulk storage of animals and game Gutting,
bulk freezing of fish, storage of game.

Production and packing of animal products including fish

and seafood, meat, eggs, dairy and fish products, perisha-
ble pet food from animal products only.
Processing of perishable
CI Deboning, cutting, washing, trimming, grading, pasteur-
animal products
isation, cooking, curing, fermentation, smoking, chilling,
freezing, packed in modified atmosphere, packed in
vacuum packing.

Production of plant products, including fruits and fresh

juices, vegetables, grains, nuts, pulses and perishable pet
food from plant products only.
Processing of perishable Washing, slicing, dicing, cutting, shredding, peeling,
CII
plant products grading, pasteurisation, cooking, chilling, juicing, pressing,
freezing, packing in modified atmosphere, packed in
vacuum packing or any other activity that significantly
transforms the product from its original whole state.

Processing of Production of mixed animal and plant products, including

perishable animal ready to eat and perishable pet food.
CIII
and plant products Mixing, cooking, chilling, freezing, packing in modified
(mixed products) atmosphere, packed in vacuum packing.

Production of food products from any source that are

stored and sold at ambient temperature, including canned
food and ambient stable pet food.
Processing of ambient
Aseptic filling, baking, bottling, brewing, canning, cooking,
stable animal and
CIV distilling, drying, extrusion, fermentation, freeze drying,
plant products
pressing, frying, hot filling, irradiating, milling, mixing and
(mixed products)
blending, packing in modified atmosphere, packed in
vacuum packing, pasteurising, pickling, roasting, salting
and refining.

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Production of feed from a single or mixed food source,

D Production of feed intended for food-producing animals.
Cooking, milling, mixing and blending and extrusion.

Preparation, storage and, where appropriate, delivery of

food products for consumption at the place of preparation
E Catering or at a satellite unit.
Cooking, mixing and blending, preparation of component
products.

Buying and selling of food, feed and/ or packaging products

FI Retail / Wholesale to a customer, including minor processing activities in
counters when this is not the main activity of the business.

Buying and selling of food, feed and/ or packaging

FII Food Broker / Agent products, excluding the production, storage and any
physical handling of the product.

Provision of Food Provision of services related to the safe production of

H Safety Services food, feed and/ or packaging, including water supply, pest
control, cleaning services, waste disposal.

Provision of Storage and Storage facilities and distribution vehicles for the storage
G Distribution Services and transport of food, feed and/ or packaging products.
Note: any packing with labelling activities are excluded.

Production of Food Production of food and feed packaging materials.

Packaging Packaging components in the form of raw materials,
I part processed, semi converted, converted or fully
finished packaging materials and products for use in
the supply chain.

Hygienic Design of Manufacturers of equipment, including any components

Food Buildings and necessary to link them together, and their utilities and
Processing Equipment utensils necessary for their operation, for farms food pro-
(for building constructors duction facilities, food retail and wholesale operations, and
JI
and equipment packaging dedicated to food; Architects, Engineers and
manufacturers) Designers of food handling facilities, including farm, food
manufacturing, storage and retail buildings;
The builders of above facilities

6 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

 Hygienic Design of Specifying, purchasing, design and construction of build-
Food Buildings and ings or refurbishments by farmers, food manufacturers,
Processing Equipment wholesalers and retailers, and packaging manufacturers
(for building and for their own use; specifying, purchasing, design and
JII equipment users) construction of equipment, including any components
necessary to link them together, and their utilities and
utensils necessary for their operation, and facilities by
farmers, food manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers,
and packaging manufacturers for their own use.

Production of (Bio)
chemicals and Production of food and feed additives, vitamins, minerals,
bio-cultures used as bio- cultures, flavourings, enzymes and processing aids.
K
food ingredients or Note: pesticides, drugs, fertilizers and cleaning agents are
processing aids in excluded.
food production

3. Application Options
Certification Programme Owners shall apply for full • Recognised by GFSI against the current version of
benchmarking if the Certification Programme in the the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements but will be
application has: subjected to changes which could compromise
its GFSI Recognition, such as changes to its
• Not previously undergone benchmarking by GFSI, governance or ownership, its management system,
• Been assessed previously, but the application was or normative documents,
withdrawn without completing the benchmarking • Already been recognised against the current
process (re-submission), version of the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements,
• Has successfully undergone benchmarking against and the Certification Programme Owner is applying
a previous version of the GFSI Benchmarking for a new GFSI scope of recognition (GFSI scope
Requirements (re-benchmarking), extension),
• Been previously recognised by GFSI but had their • Subject to suspension of their GFSI recognition.
recognition withdrawn.
Those Certification Programme Owners shall confirm
Those Certification Programme Owners shall submit in writing to the GFSI Senior Technical Manager no less
a fully-completed application form with supporting than 28 days before any changes to the Certification
evidence of compliance to the GFSI eligibility criteria. Programme are intended to become effective:

If they wish to maintain their recognition status, GFSI- • Their application for continued recognition;
recognised Certification Programmes shall apply • The significant changes introduced to the
for re-assessment for all their scopes of recognition Certification Programme, including those changes
against the new version of the GFSI Benchmarking that would address the cause of suspension of the
Requirements within nine months of its date of GFSI recognition if applicable.
publication. The GFSI Board has the authority to
extend this period under special circumstances. Upon receipt of the proposed changes to the
Certification Programme, The GFSI Senior Technical
Certification Programme Owners shall apply for Manager and GFSI Executive Director shall decide
continued recognition if the Certification Programme within 28 days on the type of actions required to
in the application is: maintain recognition based on the details of the
changes introduced to the Certification Programme.

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4. The GFSI Benchmarking Methodology

Who is involved in the GFSI Benchmarking Process? particular, they oversee any necessary sanctioning
activities. They may reassign the Benchmark Leader at
any time, at their discretion, if it is deemed necessary
GFSI Technical Manager to do so.
The GFSI Technical Manager is responsible for
safeguarding the GFSI Benchmarking Process. The
Technical Manager appoints the Benchmark Leader GFSI Board
to a Certification Programme and supervises all the The GFSI Board makes a final decision on GFSI
benchmarking activities and communication with the recognition of the Certification Programme, based on
Certification Programme Owner. The GFSI Technical the recommendation of the Benchmark Leader and the
Manager ensures training and calibration of the GFSI Technical Manager. The GFSI Board also makes
Benchmark Leaders. final decisions on any suspensions or withdrawals of
GFSI recognition, and answer to any appeals.

Benchmark Leader
The Benchmark Leader is selected and approved
by the GFSI Board in order to ascertain whether a How much time does the GFSI Benchmarking Process
Certification Programme conforms with the GFSI take to complete?
Benchmarking Requirements.
The GFSI Benchmarking Process must be completed
The Benchmark Leader reports to the GFSI in a maximum of 12 months from the date GFSI accepts
Technical Manager; they perform the assessment an application. The GFSI Board has the authority to
of the Certification Programme against the GFSI extend this time.
Benchmarking Requirements and give their
recommendation whether to recognise a Certification Demonstrating alignment and Objective Evidence
Programme based on the result of their assessment.
In order to achieve GFSI-recognition, a Certification
All Benchmarking Leaders undergo the same initial Programme shall demonstrate alignment with each key
training and annual calibration activities to maintain element of the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements. To
alignment of their evaluation approaches. A list of all do so, the Certification Programme Owner shall provide
GFSI-approved Benchmark Leaders is available from objective evidence that the Certification Programme
GFSI upon request. meets the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements.

The GFSI Benchmarking Process is a pass / fail

GFSI Executive Director benchmark: A key element is either met or not met.
The GFSI Executive Director is accountable for the
compliance to the GFSI Benchmarking Process. In

5. The Key Procedural Steps

The GFSI Benchmarking Process shall be carried out against Part II and Part III of the GFSI Benchmark-
in accordance with the following key procedural steps: ing Requirements,

1. Application: this step confirms that the applicant 3. Office Visit: this step focuses on assessing the
Certification Programme Owner satisfies the GFSI Certification Programme Owner’s compliance to
eligibility criteria and ensures a workplan is agreed, their governance rules through a record review at
their office. It focuses on confirming alignment to
2. Desktop Review: this step focuses on an assess- Part II of the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements,
ment of the content of a Certification Programme’s
normative documents and governance rules

8 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

4. Corrective Action Plan: this step ensures a 7. GFSI Board final decision and communication: this
corrective action plan is agreed and validated step concludes the assessment of the Certification
to address any non-alignments to the GFSI Programme and ensures communication of
Benchmarking Requirements, the result of this assessment to GFSI and the
Certification Programme Owner’s stakeholders,
5. Public Stakeholder Consultation: this step ensures
that the GFSI Benchmarking Process is transparent 8. Monitoring of Continued Alignment: this step
and submitted to the scrutiny of GFSI and the ensures that the Certification Programme Owner is
Certification Programme Owner’s stakeholders, monitored regularly and continues to comply with
the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements.
6. Completion of Corrective Actions: this step
ensures verification that the planned corrective Those steps are summarised in table 2.
actions to address any non-conformities are fully
implemented in the Certification Programme,

Table 2: the GFSI Benchmarking Process

A - Application • Application from B - Desktop Assess- • Self-Assessment

• Admin fee ment • BL Review
• Contact • Call to Review
• Workplan findings
• Final Review

C - Office Visit Assess- • Office visit D - Corrective action • CAP proposal

ment • List of Findings plan • CAP review

E - Public Stakeholder • Final Assessment F - Completion of • Submission

Consultation Report Corrective Actions of evidence of
• Public Consultation implementation
• Amendment of • Validation
CAP as required of evidence

G - Final Decision • Final report and H - Monitoring of • 6 monthly random

recommendation Continuous Align- records review
• GFSI board vote ment • Annual office visit
• Public Announcement • GAP analysis to
sub-versions

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APPLICATION
Any Certification Programme Owner may apply for Leader's services to GFSI, conflicts with the personal
assessment via the GFSI website and email. The interests, financial or otherwise, of that of the
Certification Programme Owner will find an Application Benchmark Leader.
Form including detailed guidance for its completion
on the GFSI website. This form shall be completed and The GFSI Technical Manager shall inform the
sent to GFSI with all required supporting documents Certification Programme Owner of this appointment
providing evidence that the Certification Programme in writing. Upon request from the Certification
Owner satisfies the GFSI Eligibility Criteria. Programme Owner, additional impartiality or
confidentiality agreements may be signed between
The GFSI Technical Manager will review the GFSI and the Benchmark Leader.
application. The GFSI Technical Manager reserves
the right to reject or refer an application back to the The Certification Programme Owner will agree the
Certification Programme Owner if the quality of the work plan (appendix 1) of activities and key dates
application is poor. with the Benchmark Leader and the GFSI Technical
Manager based on the number of scopes and the
A Certification Programme Owner will be permitted to volume of documentation submitted.
lodge multiple benchmarking applications with GFSI
but will only be permitted to submit one application for In the year prior to the publication of a new version
the same Certification Programme within a 12-month of the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements, no new
period, if the initial application is deemed unsuccessful. application will be accepted. A notice will be displayed
on the GFSI website to indicate the starting date of
The GFSI Technical Manager will inform the this one-year period.
Certification Programme Owner within 2 weeks of
receiving the application if it is accepted or rejected: Additionally, GFSI will not accept any applications
for scope extension from existing Certification
• If the application is rejected, reasons for this Programme Owners in the last six months before the
decision will clearly be detailed, publication of a new version of the GFSI Benchmarking
• If the application is accepted, a contract shall be Requirements. This does not apply to sub-versions of
signed between the Certification Programme the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements.
Owner and GFSI.

Once the contract is signed by both parties, the GFSI

Technical Manager will appoint a Benchmark Leader
for the Certification Programme assessment:

• A Benchmark Leader may perform the

benchmarking activities of a given Certification
Programme for a maximum period of three years,
• The Benchmark Leader profile and current activities
outside their contract with GFSI will be reviewed to
ensure there is no potential conflict of interest or
risk to impartiality,
• The Technical Manager may assign additional
Benchmarking Leaders to ensure that the
assessment takes place within the desired
timeframe; this will be done with the written consent
of the Certification Programme Owner.

NB: A Conflict of Interest, or the appearance of a

conflict, can arise whenever a transaction, or an
action, undertaken in the framework of the Benchmark

10 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

DESKTOP REVIEW

The Certification Programme Owner to complete any corrections of the self-assessment

Fills out the Self-Assessment forms. forms and the workplan is reviewed accordingly.
The objective of the self-assessment is to allow the
Certification Programme Owner to demonstrate
that the Certification Programme includes all the The Certification Programme Owner
key elements listed in the GFSI Benchmarking Updates (where applicable) and
Requirements, including Part II as well as the applicable Resends Final Self- Assessment
scopes of GFSI Benchmarking Requirements Part III. Within the agreed timeframe, the Certification
Programme Owner will send updated self-assessment
GFSI will provide self-assessment forms for Part II and forms with any necessary additional information. In
each of the GFSI scopes of recognition included in the order to limit a possible back-and-forth exchange of
Certification Programme Owner’s application form. information, the Certification Programme Owner will
The Certification Programme Owner will complete be required to provide the requested information
those forms with their own assessment of their and / or adjustments in the final self-assessment.
alignment to the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements The final version of the self-assessment forms must
as well as clear and precise justification against each be complete and validated by the Benchmark Leader
key element, including the exact reference to the before progressing to the next step of the GFSI
document, page and clause addressing each key Benchmarking Process.
element. The completed self-assessment forms as
well as the referenced documents will be sent to the The Benchmark Leader may recommend at this
Benchmark Leader for review. point that the process moves to the final recognition
recommendation:

The Benchmark Leader performs • If the desktop review highlights that the Certification
a preliminary desk review. Programme requires significant changes to align to
The Benchmark Leader will review the evidence the Benchmarking Requirements;
provided by the Certification Programme Owner for • If the deadline of the process does not allow for an
each GFSI key element, to ensure it satisfies the GFSI office visit and a public consultation.
Benchmarking Requirements.
In such situations, the GFSI Technical Manager
The Benchmark Leader will take note of any key reviews the recommendation from the Benchmark
elements where additional information is needed and Leader and agrees the next steps with the Certification
/ or where they do not agree with the self-assessment Programme Owner.
from the Certification Programme Owner. These notes
will include comprehensive explanations. All these
findings will be sent to the Certification Programme
Owner in writing for consideration. Findings are also
sent to the GFSI Technical Manager for review.

In a conference call, the Benchmark Leader

exchange their detailed findings with
the Certification Programme Owner.

This will give the Certification Programme Owner

an opportunity to further clarify and complete their
evidence. It will also give greater insight into what
additional information and amendment to the self-
assessment forms the Benchmark Leader requires.
During the conference call, a timeframe is agreed

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OFFICE VISIT
The Benchmark Leader and the Certification before the office visit. The GFSI Technical Manager
Programme Owner will organise a visit to the nominated may join the office visit as an observer and adviser to
office of the Certification Programme Owner. The the Benchmark Leader, who will lead the visit.
purpose of the visit is to check the implementation of
the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements Part II by the The Benchmark Leader will sum up all findings from
Certification Programme Owner through a sample the desktop review and the office visit on a report that
record review. will be signed between the Certification Programme
Owner, the Benchmarking Leader and the GFSI
The Certification Programme Owner shall ensure that all Technical Manager before leaving the Certification
resources including expert employees, documentation Programme Owner’s premises. A copy of this signed
and records are available to support the visit. report will be given to the Certification Programme
Owner, while the Benchmark Leader and GFSI
The Benchmark Leader will confirm an agenda and Technical Manager will retain one for GFSI records.
required documentation for review at least two weeks

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

The Certification Programme Owner shall respond addressing all findings, the Benchmark Leader sends
to the Benchmark Leader’s report with a corrective their draft assessment report, including the proposed
action plan within two weeks of the office visit. corrective action plan, to the GFSI Technical Manager
for validation.
The Benchmark Leader will review the corrective action
plan and confirm whether it addresses the findings. The GFSI Technical Manager will review the
Once the Benchmark Leader and the Certification assessment report and include their assessment of
Programme Owner agree a full corrective action plan the Corrective Action plan to this report.

PUBLIC STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION

The GFSI Technical Manager will make the self- objections made by stakeholders and will share them
assessment forms and the Benchmark Leader’s with the Certification Programme Owner, who shall
assessment report available on the GFSI website address them. The Benchmarking Leader and the
for a stakeholder consultation of four weeks. The GFSI Technical Manager will evaluate every response
Certification Programme Owner will be given the from the Certification Programme Owner.
opportunity to approve the content of the published
documents before it is made available in the public The GFSI Technical Manager shall ensure that those
domain. The report will only be put to consultation stakeholders who submitted comments during the
once agreed by all above parties. The GFSI Technical stakeholder consultation receive feedback.
Manager will collect any comments, observations or

IMPLEMENTATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

The Certification Programme Owner shall complete all the implementation of the corrective actions. Once
required corrective actions and provide evidence of the corrective actions are fully implemented, the
implementation to the Benchmark Leader. Benchmark Leader sends the final assessment report
including the completed corrective action plan and a
The Benchmark Leader will validate the answers recommendation for recognition to the GFSI Technical
from the Certification Programme Owner to the Manager for validation.
comments and findings of the assessments, and

12 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

GFSI BOARD FINAL DECISION AND COMMUNICATION
The GFSI Technical Manager will inform the GFSI Board Owner aware of the decision and those reasons. The
of the results of the Benchmark Leader’s assessment Certification Programme Owner shall have the right to
and the recommendation for recognition in the form appeal against the GFSI Board decision; the appeal
of a final summary report previously agreed upon with shall be undertaken in accordance with the procedures
the Certification Programme Owner. specified in this document (see section “sanctioning”).

The GFSI Board will come to a decision based on In the event of recognition by the GFSI Board, the GFSI
consensus following the recommendation presented Technical Manager and the Certification Programme
by the GFSI Technical Manager. If a vote is necessary, Owner shall agree on a GFSI news release confirming
the votes of 75% of a quorum of the GFSI Board shall this decision. The Certification Programme Owner
determine the final decision. Records shall be kept will be expected to issue a similar news release. The
of the numbers of votes for, against and abstaining. timing of these announcements shall be agreed on
The GFSI Technical Manager shall communicate the by the GFSI Technical Manager and the Certification
GFSI Board decision in writing to the Certification Programme Owner.
Programme Owner, as soon as is practicable after the
GFSI Board decision. The GFSI Technical Manager will ensure that the GFSI
website is updated with the new recognition status
In the event that the final decision of the GFSI Board and scope(s) of the Certification Programme Owner.
is non-recognition, the reasons for the Board decision
shall be clearly documented and the GFSI Technical The GFSI Technical Manager will issue a statement of
Manager shall make the Certification Programme conformity to the Certification Programme Owner.

ANNUAL MONITORING OF CONTINUED ALIGNMENT

The Global Food Safety Initiative has the responsibility 4. Complaint investigation- incident driven.
to create a transparent and level playing field for
all Certification Programme Owners undergoing
Content of the Random Record Reviews
benchmarking against the GFSI Benchmarking
Requirements. In order to ensure that recognised Twice a year, the Benchmark Leader will remotely
Certification Programme Owners have implemented select at least five random audits, performed by
all the controls necessary to ensure food safety, GFSI various Certification Bodies and send the Certification
shall carry out an annual monitoring of continued Programme Owner a list of objective evidence and
alignment. files related to these audits to verify alignment of Part
II of the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements, including
The execution of this monitoring will be managed by the but not restricted to:
Benchmark Leader under the supervision of the GFSI
Technical Manager in order to ensure that the appropriate • Certificate and report and / or auditor notes,
confidentiality is in place throughout the process. • Contract with the Certification Body,
• Examination file of the auditor,
The annual monitoring of continued alignment consists • Scope allowance of the auditor.
of four types of activities:
The Benchmark Leader may increase the number of
1. Random record review — twice a year, selected audits if:

2. Certification Programme Owner office audit — • 5 samples do not allow for a representative sampling
once a year, of the Certification Programme Owner’s scope(s) of
recognition and / or number of certificates
3. Gap analysis against any additions introduced to • Authenticated complaints (see complaint investigation)
the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements with the or results of previous assessments raise concerns
publication of sub-versions, over the continued alignment of the Certification
Programme to the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements.

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The Certification Programme Owner must submit the in the Benchmarking Requirements since the last
requested records within two weeks of the Benchmark assessment of the Certification Programme Owner.
Leader’s request. The Certification Programme Owner
and the Benchmark Leader will agree on the most
convenient manner to allow the Benchmark Leader to Complaint Investigation
verify those records. The GFSI Technical Manager shall investigate any
serious complaint they receive towards a GFSI-
The Benchmark Leader will report back their findings recognised Certification Programme. This can be done
to the Certification Programme Owner and the GFSI by a desktop investigation or an office visit. The GFSI
Technical Manager. These findings will be discussed Technical Manager is responsible for the investigation
during the office audit. of any complaints or suspected non-alignment of a
GFSI-recognised Certification Programme with the
GFSI Benchmarking Requirements.
Content of the Office Audit
The purpose of the visit is to check the implementation In the event that the GFSI Technical Manager receives
of Part II of the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements by a complaint or report regarding the non-alignment of a
the Certification Programme Owner through a sample Certification Programme with the GFSI Benchmarking
record review. Requirements, the Technical Manager will promptly
acknowledge, in writing, the receipt of the complaint
The Benchmark Leader will add the findings of this or report to the party concerned. The GFSI Technical
office audit to the findings of the random record Manager will then initiate the required investigative
review and send this to the Certification Programme procedures to verify the accuracy of the complaint.
Owner and the GFSI Technical Manager.
The GFSI Technical Manager shall ensure that the
The Certification Programme Owner shall respond details of the complaint are clearly understood and
with a corrective action plan for all findings within two documented, and that any claims or comments made
weeks of the office visit. The Benchmark Leader will by the complainant are properly authenticated and
validate the corrective action plan and submit this appropriately documented. This authentication shall be
to the GFSI Technical Manager, who will validate it verified as being accurate and correct by independent
with the GFSI Technical Committee. The Benchmark sources, in addition to the complainant. It is the
Leader will then verify the implementation of those responsibility of the complainant to provide information
corrective actions based on the Corrective Action that appropriately authenticates the complaint and can
Plan agreed with the Certification Programme Owner, be confirmed as genuine. The GFSI Technical Manager
and validated by the GFSI Technical Manager and the may appoint the Benchmark Leader or an independent
GFSI Technical Committee. If the corrective action assessor at any stage during the investigation process.
plan is not validated by the Technical Committee or The GFSI Technical Manager must ensure impartiality
the Certification Programme Owner fails to implement and preserve confidentiality.
it within the agreed timeline, the GFSI Technical
Manager and the GFSI Director may initiate the If the Benchmark Leader or an assessor is appointed,
sanctioning process. he or she shall carry out a thorough investigation of the
complaint and, where possible, provide a resolution for
the issues, fully document the complaint process, and
Gap analysis provide a detailed report to the GFSI Executive Director.
Once a year, typically in conjunction with the first
random record review, the Benchmark Leader will
review the alignment of the Certification Programme
Owner to any new or amended key elements included

14 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

Table 3: The GFSI Key Procedural Steps

GATE STEP COMMENTS

A. Application 1 – The Certification Programme The Certification Programme Owner must define the
Owner downloads the application GFSI scope of assessment they are applying for:
form from mygfsi.com, completes
• GFSI Part II (mandatory).
it and sends it and any required
• At least one GFSI scope of recognition (Part III).
supporting documents to gfsibm@
theconsumergoodsforum.com

2 – GFSI sends an invoice for the

application fee; process progresses The application fee is non-refundable.
when the invoice is paid.

• If the information is complete and complies

with the eligibility criteria defined in the
GFSI Benchmarking Requirements Part I, the
application is accepted, move to step 4.
• If the information is incomplete or does not
3 – GFSI reviews the application and satisfies the eligibility criteria defined in the
confirm within 2 weeks of receipts if GFSI Benchmarking Requirements Part I, the
the application is accepted. application is rejected, feedback is sent to the
Certification Programme Owner, back to step 1.
NB: The Certification Programme Owner may
address concerns regarding the eligibility
criteria and re-apply. Application fee would
be invoiced for this new application.

GFSI provides an agreement that all Certification

4 – A contract is signed between Programme Owners applying for recognition must
GFSI and the Certification Pro- sign.
gramme Owner The appointment of the Benchmark Leader must
• GFSI appoints a ensure the absence of conflict of interest between
Benchmark Leader the Benchmark Leader and the Certification Pro-
gramme Owner.

The Certification Programme Owner is accounta-

ble for their workplan:
• The workplan should allow the completion
5 – A workplan is agreed upon of the assessment and recognition
between the Certification Pro- process within 12 months from the
date the application was accepted,
gramme Owner and the appointed
• The workplan must be agreed upon with the
Benchmark Leader. Benchmark Leader based on the number of
scopes included in the application, the amount
of time needed to perform the benchmarking
assessment, and estimate of the cost involved.

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B. Desktop 1 – GFSI sends Self-Assessment The information included within the self-assessment
Review form(s) for Part II and the scope(s) is the content of the Benchmarking Requirements
included in the application form. (Part II and respective scope(s) of Part III).

The Certification Programme Owner evaluates

their Certification Programme against the GFSI
Benchmarking Requirements.
For each requirement, the following must be included:
• Whether and how the GFSI requirement is
2 – The Certification Programme covered in the Certification Programme;
• The name of the Certification Programme’s
Owner completes the Self-Assess-
document covering the requirement with
ment form(s) and submits them to
reference to the exact page and clause;
the Benchmark Leader and GFSI
• The relevant documents as objective evidence.
with supporting evidence.
Files have to be numbered and a list of submitted
documents provided together with the completed
Self-Assessment forms.
All documents may be submitted by email or a
secured document sharing platform agreed with
GFSI and the Benchmark Leader.

3 – the Benchmark Leader reviews The Benchmark Leader assesses the alignment
the completed self-assessment and of the submitted information from the Certification
supporting documents: Programme Owner with each key element of the
Benchmarking Requirements and rates them as
• The information is complete follows:
and allows a comprehensive
review by the Benchmark • Aligned: the provided information
Leader – the Benchmark Leader addresses the key element
sends the self-assessment • Partly aligned: the provided information
with their assessment and addresses some aspects of the key element.
comments, move to step 4; The Benchmark Leader highlights the
• The information is incomplete, unaddressed element(s) in their comment
and / or the evidence provided • Not aligned: the provided information
is insufficient – the benchmark does not address the key elements.
leader sends feedback to The Benchmark Leader clarifies the
the Certification Programme expected information in their comment.
Owner, back to step 2.

GFSI will facilitate the scheduling and IT tools

necessary for the execution of the call.
The following points will be discussed:
4 – The findings of the self-assess- • Review of Benchmark Leader’s assessment
ment review are discussed and and clarification of any findings;
clarified through a call with the • Agreement on a timeframe for the
completion of the self-assessment;
Benchmark Leader, GFSI, and Certi-
• Review of the workplan in light of the
fication Programme Owner
results of the self-assessment.
The Certification Programme Owner ensures
that relevant and competent representatives are
present during the call.

16 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

 5 – The Certification Programme
Owner updates (where applicable) Within the agreed timeframe the Certification Pro-
and sends the final Self-Assessment gramme Owner will send the final version of the
forms and additional supporting doc- Self-Assessment forms to the Benchmark Leader.
uments to the Benchmark Leader.

6 – The Benchmark Leader reviews

the additional information provided:
• Information is complete and
addressing the findings would not
require a significant re-write of
the programme – the Benchmark
Leader sends the final validation
of the self-assessments and a The Benchmark Leader may recommend at this
completed list of findings to the point that the process moves to gate G:
Certification Programme Owner • If the self-assessment review highlights that
and GFSI, move to “office visit”; the programme requires significant changes
• Addressing the findings would to align to the Benchmarking Requirements
require a significant re-write of • If the deadline of the process does not allow
the programme - the Benchmark for an office visit and a public consultation.
Leader sends the final validation
of the self-assessments and
a completed report including
the list of findings to the
Certification Programme
Owner and GFSI, move to G;
• Information is incomplete or
unclear – back to step 5.

C. Office Visit 1 – The Benchmark Leader and the

Certification Programme Owner plan The office visit focuses on record reviews as
a visit to the nominated offices of the evidence of the implementation of the governance
Certification Programme Owner: reviewed during the previous gates.
• The date is agreed The Certification Programme Owner must ensure
based on availability that all resources needed to support the office visit
• The Benchmark Leader sends process are available during the visit, including
a proposed agenda at least expert staff members, documentation, and records.
2 weeks before the visit.

2 – The office visit happens at the

Certification Programme Owner’s
main office:
• The Benchmark Leader
completes the final list of The Benchmark Leader leads the office visit and
findings and presents it to the determines its length. The duration of the office
Certification Programme Owner; visit depends on the complexity of the certification
• The Certification Programme programme, the number of scopes to cover, any
Owner representative needs for interpretation, etc.
signs the list of findings;
A copy of the signed list of findings is
left with the Certification Programme
Owner, another copy is sent to GFSI.

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D. Corrective 1 – The Certification Programme

Action Plan Owner sends the Benchmark
and reporting Leader a corrective action plan to
address any findings raised during
the assessment.

2 – The Benchmark Leader reviews

the corrective action plan:
• The corrective actions address
the findings – the Benchmark
Leader accepts the corrective
action plan, move to step 3;
• Some of the corrective actions
do not address the findings
– the corrective action plan
is rejected, back to step 1.

3 – The Benchmark Leader com- The assessment report includes:

pletes the assessment report:
• The certification programme information
• The Benchmark Leader sends (name(s), contact details),
the assessment report including • The assessment details (scope of
the list of findings to the recognition, benchmark leader etc),
Certification Programme Owner • An executive summary (summary of
• The Certification Programme findings from Self-Assessment, office
Owner confirms that the content visit, any particular complexities).
of the report is accurate. any findings from the self-assessment review and
the office visit.

4 – GFSI validates the finally agreed

report and action plan:
• The Benchmark Leader
sends the final report
agreed with the Certification
Programme Owner to GFSI;
• GFSI reviews the report
and validates its content.

18 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

 E. Public 1 – GFSI prepares the documen-
Stakeholder tation for public consultation, this
Consultation includes The Certification Programme Owner is asked to
• An announcement statement;
approve the documents for public stakeholder
• The assessment report with
consultation.
the corrective action plan;
• The completed and reviewed
self-assessments.

2 – The Certification Programme

Owner reviews the proposed
documentation for the public con-
sultation:
• The Certification Programme
Owner approves the
documentation: move to step 3;
• The Certification Programme
Owner has concerns over the
content of the report, they submit
their suggested changes to GFSI,
back to step 1.

The assessment report and the completed self-as-

3 – GFSI makes the approved docu-
sessment forms are made available from mygfsi.
mentation available for stakeholder
com.
consultation on mygfsi.com for four
Comments are sent to gfsibm@theconsumer-
weeks.
goodsforum.com.

4 – GFSI closes the public consul-

tation and sends the list of received
comments to the Certification Pro-
gramme Owner and the benchmark
leader.

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F. Completion 1 – The Certification Programme

of corrective Owner completes all required cor-
actions rective actions and:
• Answers to any comments
from the public consultation
requiring an action or comment;
• Provides evidence of
implementation for all
corrective actions for the
findings of the assessment;
• The Certification Programme
Owner sends the final report with
their above addition, and any
required supportive documents,
to the Benchmark Leader.

2 – The Benchmark Leader reviews

the answers from the Certification
Programme Owner to the comments
and findings of the assessments:
• The Benchmark Leader accepts
the comments and completion All findings must be addressed with the corrective
of the corrective actions from action plan completed before the process can
the Certification Programme progress to gate G.
Owner – move to gate G;
• The Benchmark Leader rejects
the comments and evidence of
completion of corrective actions
from the Certification Programme
Owner – back to step 1.

3 – The Benchmark Leader sends

the final assessment report with
the completed corrective actions to
GFSI:
• GFSI accepts the completed
corrective actions: move to G
• GFSI rejects the completed
actions and/or asks for more
information: back to step 1.

20 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

 G. GFSI Final 1 – The Benchmark Leader sends
Recognition the final assessment report, includ-
Decision and ing the executive summary with their
Communication recommendation for recognition, to
GFSI.

2 – GFSI reviews the final assess-

ment report:
• GFSI accepts the
recommendation from
the Benchmark Leader:
move to step 3;
• GFSI challenges the
recommendation from the
Benchmark Leader: feedback is
sent to the Benchmark Leader
for consideration, back to step 1;

3 – GFSI submits the recommenda- Vote may be organised during a face to face
tion to the GFSI Board who votes meeting of the GFSI Board where the quorum is
for or against this recommendation. present, or by email. In the latter case, GFSI must
The Certification Programme Owner gather enough written answers back from GFSI
recognition status is based on the Board members to respect the GFSI Board gov-
board majority vote. ernance rules.

4 – GFSI informs the Certification

Programme Owner of the final
decision and confirms next step:
• The Certification Programme
Owner agrees to communicate
GFSI informs the Certification Programme Owner
publicly the result of their
assessment – move to step 5. of the reasons for the decision. The Certification
• The Certification Programme Programme Owner has the right to appeal the
Owner does not want the result GFSI Board decision (see Part I of the GFSI Bench-
of their assessment publicly marking Requirements).
communicated – move to step 6
• In either case, GFSI posts
a signed statement of
alignment to the Certification
Programme Owner.

5 – GFSI and the Certification Pro-

gramme Owner agree on a common
GFSI and the Certification Programme Owner both
news release text and publish this
publish a news release.
jointly on their respective media.
Move to step 6.

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G. GFSI Final 6 – GFSI updates mygfsi.com

Recognition and ensures the Certification Pro-
Decision and gramme Owner updates their own
Communication website when applicable.

H. Monitoring The monitoring record is issued by GFSI and asks

of continued for a declaration of
alignment 1 – Once a year, the Certification • Any significant changes in the Certification
Programme Owner completes a Programme Owner governance,
including changes in procedures,
monitoring record and sends this to
ownership, organisation etc.
GFSI and the Benchmark Leader. • Any requested scope extension
• Any planned or published new
programme version.

The GFSI monitoring of continuous alignment

includes the following activities:
• Gap analysis: against a potential new sub-
2 – The Benchmark Leader and the version of the Benchmarking Requirements;
Certification Programme Owner • Random record review: desktop audit based
schedule the required activities of the on sampling exercise. This should occur twice
monitoring of continued alignment. a year: before and after the office visit;
• Office Audit: review of Certification
Programme Owner’s records based at their
main office. This should occur once a year.

This includes:
3 – The Benchmark Leader carries
out the first random record review • A gap analysis against a potential new sub-
and the gap analysis with the Certifi- version of the Benchmarking Requirements;
cation Programme Owner. • A review of records associated with
randomly selected audits.

The office visit focuses on record reviews as

evidence of the implementation of the programme
governance (Part II). All resources needed to
4 – The Benchmark Leader carries
support the office visit process must be available
out an office visit.
during the visit, including expert staff members,
documentation, and records. Findings from the
desktop review may be discussed at the office visit.

This includes:
5 – The Benchmark Leader carries
out a second random record review. • A review of records associated with
randomly selected audits.

22 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

 H. Monitoring 6 – The Certification Programme
of continued Owner and Benchmark Leader
alignment ensure that an acceptable correc-
tive action plan is completed for At each stage of the monitoring of continuous
any findings from the monitoring alignment, the Benchmark Leader documents and
activities. agrees on a list of findings with the Certification
• Findings are submitted Programme Owner and communicates this to GFSI.
to the GFSI Technical The recognition of the Certification Programme
Committee for review. Owner may be maintained, suspended or with-
• If any findings raise concerns drawn based on the results of the assessment (see
to the Benchmark Leader “sanctioning”).
on the recognition status of
the Certification Programme
Owner, the sanctioning
process may be initiated.

7 – GFS validates that the results

justify maintaining the Certification The recognition of the Certification Programme
Programme Owner recognition. Owner may be maintained, suspended or with-
• If any findings raise concerns drawn based on the results of the assessment (see
GFSI recommends next “sanctioning”).
steps to the GFSI Board.

6. Sanctioning
Activities of the GFSI Monitoring of Continued This recommendation is passed to the GFSI Executive
Alignment may lead to sanctions for the Certification Director and the GFSI Board for final decision. The
Programme Owner. If evidence of non-alignment GFSI Technical Manager will inform the Certification
against the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements is found Programme Owner of this final decision, including a
by a Benchmark Leader during the annual assessment, full explanation for it.
the GFSI Executive Director shall be informed. The GFSI
Technical Manager and the GFSI Executive Director will
review this evidence and agree on next steps. Evidence of re-alignment required
In the event that the GFSI Board considers that
If further investigation is required, the GFSI Technical evidence of re-alignment is required but recognition
Manager will promptly contact the Certification may be maintained, the GFSI Technical Manager will
Programme Owner. The GFSI Technical Manager will follow up any required actions from the Certification
fully document the process of investigation. Based on Programme Owner; the GFSI Technical Manager may
their findings, the GFSI Technical Manager will make a ask for the support of the Benchmark Leader.
recommendation to either:
Once the re-alignment is confirmed, the GFSI Technical
1. take no action against the Certification Programme Manager will inform the GFSI Executive Director and
Owner, or the GFSI Board.

2. maintain recognition and require evidence of re- In the event that the GFSI Board is not satisfied with
alignment, or the progress made, they may suspend the recognition
of the Certification Programme.
3. suspend recognition, or

4. withdraw recognition.

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 The GFSI Benchmarking Requirements version 2020

GFSI Suspension of Recognition will make a request to withdraw voluntarily and make a
full dossier of the circumstances available to the GFSI
If the GFSI Board considers that a period of Executive Director.
suspension of recognition shall be imposed, the
GFSI website shall clearly specify the details and The GFSI Executive Director will inform the GFSI
conditions of the suspension. Board regarding the circumstances and convene a
meeting to discuss the issue as soon as possible. The
The GFSI Executive Director shall formally inform GFSI Board may grant voluntary withdrawal or initiate
the Certification Programme Owner of the decision a suspension process. The GFSI Executive Director
and period of the suspension, and any remediation will inform the Certification Programme Owner of this
conditions imposed by the GFSI Board to regain decision.
recognition status.

The Certification Programme Owner shall confirm to GFSI Appeals Procedure

the GFSI Board that these remediation conditions can The Certification Programme Owner has the right to
be achieved within the timescales set out by the GFSI appeal against any decision made by the GFSI Board,
Board, when evidence of the implementation of the the GFSI Executive Director or any person contracted
corrective actions will be expected, and alignment to GFSI in relation to the Benchmarking Process.
to the GFSI Benchmarking Requirements can be re-
established. The Certification Programme Owner shall submit an
appeal to the GFSI Executive Director within 30 days
The GFSI Technical Manager will follow up the of the matter in dispute occurring. The appeal shall
implementation of the corrective actions with the be submitted in writing to the GFSI Executive Director
Certification Programme Owner; the GFSI Technical and shall clearly describe the reason and provide a
Manager may ask for the support of the Benchmark full explanation together with substantive evidence to
Leader. support a thorough investigation of the appeal.

Once the re-alignment is confirmed, the GFSI Technical When the appeal procedure is initiated, the status
Manager will inform the GFSI Executive Director and of the Certification Programme shall be amended
the GFSI Board. on the GFSI website to reflect that the Certification
Programme is subject to an appeal.
A suspension period may be extended to a maximum of
12 months from the date the initial suspension occurred. Any appeal shall be heard by an Appeals Committee,
which is a body specifically assembled by the GFSI
In the event that the GFSI Board is not satisfied with Board for the purposes of hearing an individual
the progress made by the Certification Programme appeal. The GFSI Executive Director shall ensure
Owner or their commitment to address any of their that the investigation is conducted in an impartial
requirements, they may withdraw recognition of the and professional manner, and without any actual or
Certification Programme. perceived conflict of interest.

The outcome of the investigation by the Appeals

GFSI Withdrawal of Recognition Committee shall be heard by the GFSI Board, and the
If the GFSI Board considers that a withdrawal of decision made by the Appeals Committee shall be
recognition is required, the GFSI Executive Director upheld by the GFSI Board.
shall formally inform the Certification Programme
Owner of this decision. The GFSI Executive Director shall formally inform
the Certification Programme Owner of the GFSI
In the event that GFSI recognition is withdrawn, GFSI shall Board decision.
issue a news release and the GFSI website shall clearly
specify the details and conditions of the withdrawal. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final. Once
the final decision is given, the appeal process will be
A Certification Programme Owner may choose to closed and the GFSI website updated accordingly.
voluntarily withdraw from GFSI recognition when
unforeseen circumstances put the Certification
Programme into contravention of GFSI requirements.
In this instance, the Certification Programme Owner

24 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

Appendix 1 — GFSI Workplan

TYPICAL AGREED SUPPORTING

GATE STEP
TIMELINE DEADLINE DOCUMENTS

A. Application 1 – The Certification Programme

Owner downloads the
application form from mygfsi.
GFSI Application
com, completes it and sends
form
it and any required supporting
documents to gfsibm@
theconsumergoodsforum.com

2 – GFSI sends an invoice

for the application fee;
1 week
process progresses when
the invoice is paid.

3 – GFSI reviews the

application and confirm
2 weeks
within 2 weeks of receipt if
the application is accepted.

4 – A contract is signed
between GFSI and the Certi-
GFSI Benchmarking
fication Programme Owner 2 weeks
contract
GFSI appoints a
Benchmark Leader

5 – A workplan is agreed
between the Certification
1 week GFSI Workplan
Programme Owner and the
appointed Benchmark Leader.

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B. Desktop 1 – GFSI sends Self-Assessment

GFSI Self-assess-
Review form(s) for Part II and the scope(s) 1 week
ment forms
included in the application form.

2 – The Certification Programme

Owner completes the Self-As-
sessment form(s) and submits GFSI Self-Assess-
3 months
them to the Benchmark Leader ment forms
and GFSI with supporting
evidence.

3 – The Benchmark Leader

reviews the completed self-as-
sessment and supporting
documents:
• The information is
complete and allows a
comprehensive review by
the Benchmark Leader – the
Benchmark Leader sends GFSI Self-Assess-
the self-assessment with 4 weeks
ment forms
their assessment and
comments, move to step 4;
• The information is
incomplete, and / or the
evidence provided is
insufficient – the Benchmark
Leader sends feedback to
the Certification Programme
Owner, back to step 2.

4 – The findings of the self-as-

sessment review are discussed
and clarified through a call with GFSI Self-Assess-
2 hours
the Benchmark Leader, GFSI, ment forms
and Certification Programme
Owner.

5 – The Certification Programme

Owner updates (where ap-
plicable) and sends the final GFSI Self-Assess-
2 weeks
Self-Assessment forms and ad- ment forms
ditional supporting documents
to the Benchmark Leader.

26 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

 B. Desktop 6 – The Benchmark Leader
Review reviews the additional informa-
tion provided:
• information is complete and
addressing the findings would
not require a significant
re-write of the programme
– the Benchmark Leader
sends the final validation
of the self-assessments
and a completed list of
findings to the Certification
Programme Owner and GFSI Self-Assess-
GFSI, move to “office visit”; 3 weeks
ment forms
• addressing the findings
would require a significant
re-write of the programme
- the Benchmark Leader
sends the final validation of
the self-assessments and a
completed report including
the list of findings to the
Certification Programme
Owner and GFSI, move to G;
• information is incomplete or
unclear – back to step 5.

C. Office Visit 1 – The Benchmark Leader and

the Certification Programme
Owner plan a visit to the nomi-
nated offices of the Certification
2 weeks before GFSI office
Programme Owner:
the visit visit agenda
• The date is agreed upon
based on availability.
• The Benchmark Leader
sends a proposed agenda.

2 – The office visit happens at

the Certification Programme
Owner’s main office:
• The Benchmark Leader
completes the final list
of findings and presents
it to the Certification GFSI office visit
Programme Owner; 1-2 days checklist
• The Certification Programme GFSI List of findings
Owner representative
signs the list of findings;
A copy of the signed list of
findings is left with the Certifica-
tion Programme Owner, another
copy is sent to GFSI.

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D. Corrective 1 – The Certification Programme

Action Plan Owner sends the Benchmark
and reporting Leader a corrective action plan 2 weeks GFSI List of findings
to address any findings raised
during the assessment.

2 – The Benchmark Leader

reviews the corrective action
plan:
• The corrective actions
address the findings – the
Benchmark Leader accepts 4 weeks after
the corrective action the office visit GFSI List of findings
plan, move to step 3; maximum
• Some of the corrective
actions do not address
the findings – the
corrective action plan is
rejected, back to step 1.

3 – The Benchmark Leader com-

pletes the assessment report:
• the Benchmark Leader
sends the assessment
report including the list of GFSI Assessment
findings to the Certification Report
Programme Owner
• the Certification Programme
Owner confirms that
the content of the
report is accurate.

4 – GFSI validates the finally

agreed report and action plan:
• The Benchmark leader
sends the final report 1 week GFSI List of findings
agreed with the Certification
Programme Owner to GFSI;
• GFSI reviews the report
and validates its content.

28 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

 E. Public 1 – GFSI prepares the documen-
Stakeholder tation for public consultation,
Consultation this includes Assessment Report
• An announcement statement;
1 week Self-Assessment
• The assessment report with
forms
the corrective action plan;
• The completed and reviewed
self-assessments.

2 – The Certification Programme

Owner reviews the proposed
documentation for the public
consultation:
• The Certification Programme
Owner approves GFSI Assessment
the documentation: Report
1 week
move to step 3; GFSI Self-Assess-
• The Certification Programme ment forms
Owner has concerns
over the content of the
report, they submit their
suggested changes to
GFSI, back to step 1.

3 – GFSI makes the approved

GFSI Public
documentation available for
4 weeks Consultation
stakeholder consultation on
comment form
mygfsi.com for four weeks.

4 – GFSI closes the public

consultation and sends the list
of received comments to the 1 week
Certification Programme Owner
and the Benchmark Leader.

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 The GFSI Benchmarking Requirements version 2020

F. Completion 1 – The Certification Programme

of corrective Owner completes all required
actions corrective actions and:
• answers to any
comments from the public
consultation requiring
an action or comment;
• provides evidence of Depending
GFSI Assessment
implementation for all on corrective
Report
corrective actions for the actions
findings of the assessment;
• The Certification Programme
Owner sends the final
report with their above
addition, and any required
supportive documents, to
the Benchmark Leader.

2 – The Benchmark Leader

reviews the answers from the
Certification Programme Owner
to the comments and findings of
the assessments:
• The Benchmark Leader
accepts the comments
and completion of the GFSI Assessment
corrective actions from the 2 weeks
Report
Certification Programme
Owner – move to gate G;
• he Benchmark Leader
rejects the comments and
evidence of completion of
corrective actions from the
Certification Programme
Owner – back to step 1.

3 – The Benchmark Leader

sends the final assessment
report with the completed cor-
rective actions to GFSI:
GFSI Assessment
• GFSI accepts the completed 1 week
Report
corrective actions: move to G
• GFSI rejects the completed
actions and/or asks for more
information: back to step 1.

30 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

 G. GFSI Final 1 – The Benchmark Leader
3 months after
recognition sends the final assessment
the public GFSI Assessment
Decision and report, including the executive
consultation Report
Communication summary with their recommen-
maximum
dation for recognition, to GFSI.

2 – GFSI reviews the final as-

sessment report:
• GFSI accepts the
recommendation from
the Benchmark Leader:
move to step 3; GFSI Assessment
1 week
• GFSI challenges the Report
recommendation from
the Benchmark Leader:
feedback is sent to the
Benchmark Leader for
consideration, back to step 1;

3 – GFSI submits the recommen-

dation to the GFSI Board who
votes for or against this recom-
GFSI Assessment
mendation. The Certification 2 weeks
Report
Programme Owner recognition
status is based on the board
majority vote.

4 – GFSI informs the Certification

Programme Owner of the final
decision and confirms next step:
• The Certification Programme
Owner agrees to
communicate publicly the
result of their assessment
– move to step 5. GFSI Statement
• The Certification Programme 1 week
of Alignment
Owner does not want the
result of their assessment
publicly communicated
– move to step 6.
In either case, GFSI posts a
signed statement of alignment
to the Certification Programme
Owner.

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 The GFSI Benchmarking Requirements version 2020

G. GFSI Final 5 – GFSI and the Certification

recognition Programme Owner agree a
Decision and common news release text
2 weeks
Communication and publish this jointly on their
respective media.
Move to step 6.

6 – GFSI updates mygfsi.com

and ensures the Certification
Programme Owner updates
their own website when appli-
cable.

H. Monitoring 1 – Once a year, the Certification

of continuous Programme Owner completes
GFSI Monitoring
alignment a monitoring record and sends
Record
this to GFSI and the Benchmark
Leader.

2 – The Benchmark Leader and

the Certification Programme
Owner schedule the required
activities of the monitoring of
continuous alignment.

3 – The Benchmark Leader

carries out the first random Within 6 months
GFSI Monitoring
record review and the gap of the last
Checklist
analysis with the Certification office visit
Programme Owner.

Within 12
4 – The Benchmark Leader months of GFSI Monitoring
carries out an office visit. the previous Checklist
office visit

Within 6
5 – The Benchmark Leader
months of the GFSI Monitoring
carries out a second random
first random Checklist
record review.
record review

32 The GFSI Benchmarking Process

 H. Monitoring 6 – The Certification Programme
of continuous Owner and Benchmark Leader
alignment ensure that an acceptable cor-
rective action plan is completed
for any findings from the moni-
toring activities.
CAP submitted
• Findings are submitted GFSI Monitoring
within 2 weeks
to the GFSI Technical Checklist
of office visit
Committee for review.
• If any findings raise concerns
to the Benchmark Leader
on the recognition status of
the Certification Programme
Owner, the sanctioning
process may be initiated.

7 – GFS validates that the

results justify maintaining the
Certification Programme Owner
GFSI Monitoring
recognition.
Checklist
• If any findings raise concerns
GFSI recommends next
steps to the GFSI Board.

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