Understanding SQF Partial Remote Audit

• A partial remote audit can only take place once a risk assesment has been conducted and a mutual agreement has been signed.
• Remote activities can be conducted for all SQF Codes, including the SQF Fundamentals Program, except for unannounced audits.
• All Food Safety Categories (FSCs) are eligible.
• Remote activities can only account for up to 50% of the audit duration; a minimum of 50% of the audit still needs to be held on-site.
• The on-site audit needs to be conducted within 30 days of the remote activity barring extenuating circumstances.
• Non-conformances identified in the Partial Audit will be considered a non-conformance in the final report and calculated as such.
• Areas identified as in compliance during the remote activities do not need to be repeated during on the on-site audit

Step 1: Determining if the site is compatible with information and communication technology (ICT) methods

Step 2: Planning and scheduling the audit

Step 3: Using ICT to collect audit evidence offsite

Step 4: Conducting the on-site audit

Step 5: Closing out the audit

• Review of exercise, food safety plan, policies, procedures, work instructions, registers
• Production records
• Mock recalls
• Traceability challenge
• Interviews with key personnel