PrimusGFS Certification

Eligibility

Does your operation meet the requirements for PrimusGFS certification? Click here for information on the PrimusGFS Certification Scopes as defined by GFSI.

The PrimusGFS General Regulations define the certification process. For more information please review the general regulations guidance here.

Pre-Assessment

A PrimuGFS Pre-assessment is a non-scored mock audit designed to assess the level of your preparedness for a certification audit.  If this is your first time undergoing a GFSI level inspection, a pre-assessment can be a valuable tool in assessing your readiness for a scored audit.   

Audit Scope

The PrimusGFS audit has defined food safety requirements for managing the production, handling, processing and storing of food. PrimusGFS has established acceptable conditions & criteria for these different production stages by defining seven audit modules. The modules are applied based on the type of operation(s) being audited.

All Operations

Module 1: Food Safety Management System (FSMS)

GAP Operations

Module 2: Farm

Module 3: Indoor Agriculture

Module 4: Harvest Crew

GMP Operations

Module 5: Facility (Packinghouse, Cooler/Cold Storage, Storage & Distribution, and Processing)

Module 6: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)

Module 7: Preventative Control (PC) *optional*

SCS Global Services offers GFSI-level food safety certification including GLOBALG.A.P., BRCGS and SQF. Additionally, contact us for expert guidance if your company is interested in establishing a comprehensive HACCP-based Food Safety Management Plan, as validation of an existing management plan.

Combine your food safety certifications with certified Organic, Sustainably Grown and Fair Trade certification for operational and cost savings.

Process

1. Apply for Certification

GFSI-recognized food safety audit schemes have broad acceptance among industry buyers and retailers around the world. Be sure to check with your customers to determine which GFSI audits they accept or prefer, including PrimusGFS.

For Certification Transfers, please click here to switch certification bodies. Select SCS Global Services as your CB. Our team will be notified immediately and will contact you to finalize your application.

2. Authorize a Proposal

SCS prepares a proposal for your approval with suggested scope of work, timeline, and quote. If the proposal meets your needs, you sign a Work Order. Our SCS Account Representatives will then help you to choose an audit date.

3.  On-site Audit

The auditor conducts an annual on-site audit. The audit includes an opening meeting, physical inspection of the site, review of records, interview with personnel, and an exit interview. We prepare a Report of Findings after the audit is completed.

4. Audit Report Completed

Within 15 days of the inspection date, a preliminary report will be uploaded by the auditor.  Once completed, the auditee will receive email notification.

5. Corrective Action Submission

The client has 30 days from the inspection date to submit corrective action evidence. The auditor will then reject or accept the corrective actions.

6. Report Review and Certification Decision

Once the auditor has reviewed the corrective action responses the audit report and corrective actions, are reviewed by a separate reviewer that is not the auditor, to assure the audit process was followed as required. If the minimum scores are met, and there are no other issues that would prevent certification, the audit is certified.  Once certification has been completed the client will receive an email notification, with the certificate attached as a PDF, that certification has been granted. If certification is not granted, then the client will receive an email notification that the audit was not certified.

7. Maintaining Certification

Annual audits are required to maintain certification.

How much does an audit cost?
Audit costs vary depending on the type of site being audited and how large and complex the operation is. This is why it is very important to fill out the application as accurately as possible so that we can provide a quote that accurately reflects what the cost of the audit will be.

How long does an audit take?
The PrimusGFS regulations provide guidance for how long an audit should take. Click here to see the expected minimum audit durations, which is determined by the size and complexity of the operation.

What are the audit Modules?

There are seven fundamental audit modules defined by the PrimusGFS standard. These modules are applicable to production and manufacturing of products:

Module 1: Food Safety Management System (FSMS) applicable to all operations

Module 2: Farm applicable to all farm operations

Module 3: Indoor Agriculture applicable for indoor agriculture operations

Module 4: Harvest Crew applicable to harvest crew operations

Module 5: Facility applicable to all facility operations

Module 6: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) applicable to all facility operations

Module 7: Preventative Control (PC) optional to all facility operations

What is a Food Safety Management System (FSMS)?

The food safety management system is Module 1 of the PrimusGFS audit which is the documentation portion of your food safety program. Certified producers must document, and implement, a Food Safety Management System prior to becoming certified. The system describes the specific food safety management practices that must be documented and implemented in order to meet the requirements of Module 1.

What are the facility operation types?

• Packinghouse
• Cooler/Cold Storage
• Storage and Distribution
• Processing

PrimusGFS Standard Training Workshop

This one-to-four-day course is designed for food safety and quality team members of all levels involved in the PrimusGFS program. Produce growers, packers and processors of fresh-cut produce as well as food safety professionals will benefit when attending this workshop. It is available in-person (public or onsite at your facility). For PrimusGFS training See here.

We offer HACCP training to support the requirement for training, including online self-paced, in English or Spanish See here. For other SCS training courses See here.

SCS Global Services ofrece capacitación en persona y en línea a su propio ritmo

Horario de cursos ofrecidos en México - HACCP, SQF, GLOBALG.A.P.