What is HACCP?
HACCP stands for hazard analysis and critical control points. It is a systematic food safety approach that identifies hazards that could affect food and determines how significant hazards are controlled at critical points in a process.
A HACCP system covers the activities and processes within its agreed scope. This can include considering how food is received, handled, processed, stored and distributed, where relevant to the organisation. The aim is to establish controls, monitor them and respond when a control does not work as intended.
HACCP certification involves an audit of the organisation’s food safety system against the applicable requirements. AuditCert International first learns about the organisation and agrees the scope, then plans and conducts a review. Certification is not automatic: the audit findings inform the certification decision.
Who needs HACCP certification?
HACCP can be relevant to organisations whose activities affect food safety. In Bangladesh, this may include food manufacturers and processors, catering businesses, food service operations, storage and distribution businesses, and other organisations involved in handling food. The relevant scope depends on what the organisation does and the food safety activities it controls.
Buyers, customers or supply-chain partners may ask a business to demonstrate that it manages food safety through a recognised system. A regulator may also set food safety requirements that apply to an organisation. The specific requirements depend on the business, its activities and the applicable rules; HACCP certification should not be treated as a substitute for meeting legal obligations.
Before applying, consider what products and activities need to be covered, which locations are involved and who is responsible for food safety. AuditCert International can discuss this information during the initial assessment and agree the proposed scope with you.
Practical benefits of a HACCP system
- A structured way to identify food safety hazards and decide how they will be controlled.
- Clearer responsibilities for people who manage, monitor and verify food safety controls.
- Records that help the organisation show what was monitored and what action was taken when issues arose.
- A more consistent approach to reviewing processes when products, equipment, suppliers or working methods change.
- An independent audit of the food safety system within the agreed certification scope.
- A basis for identifying improvement opportunities through audit feedback and ongoing review.
The certification process with AuditCert International
Make an enquiry or application
Send a short description of your organisation, its activities and the service you need. This helps the team explain what is involved and identify the next step.
Initial assessment and scope
AuditCert International learns about your business and discusses the proposed certification scope, including the relevant activities and locations.
Audit planning
The audit is planned with you. The scope and information about your organisation help establish what the audit needs to review.
Audit and system review
The auditor assesses the food safety system against the applicable requirements and considers whether documented arrangements are implemented in practice. This includes checking relevant procedures, records and evidence from the activities in scope.
Findings and certification decision
Audit findings are reviewed as part of the certification decision. Certification is granted only where the applicable certification requirements are met; an audit or application does not itself ensure certification.
Certification and feedback
If certification is granted, the organisation receives its certification outcome and feedback to support continued improvement.
Surveillance
Certification is followed by surveillance activities in line with the applicable certification arrangements. These provide continued review of the certified system and its operation.
What you need to prepare
The information needed depends on the organisation and agreed scope. Preparing relevant documents, records and people can help the audit review the system effectively.
- Documents: A description of the products and processes in scope; food safety and HACCP plans; hazard analysis; procedures and work instructions for relevant controls; and defined responsibilities.
- Records: Evidence that food safety controls are monitored, results are recorded and issues are addressed. Relevant records may also include verification activities, corrective actions, staff training and changes to processes.
- People: Identify the person responsible for the food safety system and the staff who carry out or monitor key activities. They should be able to explain their roles and show how the relevant controls work in practice.
These are examples of useful preparation, not a complete or fixed document list. The audit team will consider what is relevant to the agreed scope and applicable requirements.
How long does certification take, and what affects time and cost?
The time and cost depend on the organisation and the scope of the audit, so they cannot be stated without understanding your circumstances. Factors include the activities and locations included, the complexity of the processes, the size and organisation of the operation, and how ready the food safety system and supporting records are for assessment.
The initial assessment helps AuditCert International understand your business and agree the scope. Audit planning follows, with the audit reviewing the system against applicable requirements. If the assessment identifies issues that need attention, the organisation may need time to address them before certification can be granted. Contact the team with a short description of your organisation and needs to discuss what is involved.
Why work with AuditCert International?
AuditCert International is an accredited certification body offering management system certification, HACCP, HALAL, C-TPAT and social compliance audits, and training. Its HACCP service begins with an assessment to understand your organisation and agree the scope, followed by audit planning and review.
The team can explain the process and next step after you describe your organisation and what you need. Certification decisions depend on the audit and applicable requirements; no certification outcome is promised in advance. AuditCert International assesses systems for certification and does not provide consultancy for systems it certifies.
