---

Today, on World Accreditation Day (WAD), we celebrate the crucial role that accreditation plays in shaping the future of global trade. Jointly organized by ILAC and IAF, this year’s WAD focuses on how accredited services contribute to building strong, flexible, and sustainable global supply chains.

Research by the OECD reveals that up to 80% of world trade involves accredited conformity assessment against international standards. Accreditation, along with standards and regulations, demonstrates the authenticity, traceability, competence, and impartiality of goods and services. It fosters the necessary confidence in quality, safety, and integrity, simplifying global supply chains.

In addition to supporting quality and trade, accreditation contributes to sustainability. The ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, rising energy prices, and trade barriers have led many businesses to compromise on their sustainability goals. WAD 2023 highlights how accreditation aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, helping businesses meet sustainability targets.

You may participate in the virtual event hosted by IAF and ILAC, discussing how accreditation supports global trade. Let’s recognize the importance of accreditation in driving sustainable and efficient global trade.

Registration details and additional resources can be found on the ILAC and IAF websites: https://ilac.org/news-and-events/world-accreditation-day-2023/

---

---

Every year, on June 7, the world celebrates World Food Safety Day, highlighting the importance of preventing foodborne illnesses and acknowledging the efforts made in this crucial area. Food safety is a global concern, as one in ten people worldwide falls ill from consuming contaminated food every year.

As a business owner or employer, there are several steps you can take to prioritize food safety:

1. Adhere to food safety regulations and operating procedures and providing training for food handlers.
2. Incorporate food safety education into wellness policies.
3. Promote the adoption of WHO’s Five Keys to Safer Food among employees.
4. Establish designated areas for the proper washing of produce, utensils, and hands, and consider providing hand sanitizer.

As an employee, you can also play a role in maintaining your own food safety:

1. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water.
2. Prioritize washing hands with soap and clean water and drying them before handling food.
3. Clean and sanitize all surfaces and equipment used such as cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops.

World Food Safety Day presents an opportunity to raise awareness and engage in activities promoting food safety. Here are a few suggestions for participation:

1. Share advice on improving food safety using information from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization.
2. Host a webinar to promote discussion about food safety.
3. Conduct training sessions and leverage social media platforms to spread awareness and encourage safe food practices.

World Food Safety Day serves as a reminder of the importance of preventing foodborne illnesses and celebrating the efforts made to ensure a safe food environment.

---

---

Certain changes in your business may affect the certification process and require additional action from PJR.

When a change occurs, PJR is required to take appropriate action. The response depends on the nature of the change and its impact on the certification. Some changes may require no specific action, while significant changes will require a contractual amendment.

There are three major categories of changes that can impact certification:

1. Legal change, which includes alterations in ownership or legal status of the business. These changes may or may not affect the existing certification.
2. Operational change, which involves day-to-day aspects of the business. This includes changes in the scope of operation, management systems and processes, staffing changes, and the number of employees. Changes in this category typically have an impact on certification.
3. Physical change, which relates to the physical aspects of the organization such as location/address changes, addition or removal of sites, or significant damage to a site. These changes are likely to affect certification.

In some cases, a short-notice audit may be necessary to assess the change and its compliance with certification requirements. Nonconformances found during short-notice audits are treated the same way as those found during regularly scheduled audits. If you’ve decided to accept credit card payments for your business, you’ll quickly realize there are many merchant providers out there and they all charge differently. Compare processing credit card fees to find the most cost-effective solution.

Both PJR and the client have contractual obligations regarding material changes. The client is responsible for notifying PJR in writing and in a timely manner about any changes. Clients are encouraged to reach out to their scheduler for any questions or concerns regarding material changes or post-certification practices.

For more information, contact PJR via phone: (248) 358-3388 or email: pjr@pjr.com.

---

---

An update is here for FSSC 22000, moving the standard from v5.1 to v6. The changes included are meant to increase the standard’s efficacy and applicability for a wide variety of organizations, and include:

• Changes to and clarification of certification process requirements
• New QR codes added to certificates for traceability
• Integrated food safety and quality culture requirements
• Farming and FSSC 22000-Quality removed
• Scope expanded to include Trading and Brokering (FIII)
• Realignment of Food Chain Categories to match ISO 22003-1:2022
• Expansion of existing requirements for allergen management and environmental monitoring (found in Part 2)

The transition to FSSC 22000 Version 6 is planned to take place in a 12-month window, with Version 6 audits being conducted beginning April 1st, 2024 and a cutoff date for clients to have their upgrade audit by March 31st, 2025.

Whether you’re seeking a new certification to FSSC 22000 or have questions about the transition and how it may affect your business, PJR is here to help! Let us know if you have any questions or if there are any resources we can provide to assist.

---

---

If you’re new to the idea of certification, seeing the list of procedures, forms, and other controlled documents involved in the process might be an overwhelming surprise. After all, their designations may not be the most descriptive – and the reason for their existence can be unclear.

Of all the documents PJR asks its clients to be familiar with, the PRO-3 may be the most commonly-referenced of them all. Under the full title “Procedure for Publicizing/Advertising Certification and Use of the PJR Logo, Standard Licensing Body Logos and Accreditation Body Symbols,” the PRO-3 outlines in detail the exact expectations of not only PJR but accreditation bodies and certification scheme owners for the use of their logos and symbology in commercial promotion.

With consequences as severe as suspension or withdrawal of a certificate, knowing the rules for use of logos is crucial for certified clients. As such, PJR rigorously maintains the PRO-3 with the most recent updates from all of the parties in play, no matter how small an adjustment. Clients are promptly notified of these changes whenever a new revision is introduced, and the most current version of the PRO-3 will always be available on PJR’s Registration Document Download (link) page.

Questions about whether your use of logos is appropriate? Reach out to PJR today at pjr@pjr.com or by getting in touch with your project manager!

---