Understanding BRCGS Blended Audit Process

• A blended audit can only take place once a risk assessment has been conducted and a mutual agreement has been signed.
• The one-day audit will be appropriate to the complexities of the site and sufficient to adequately cover the aspects to be audited.
• 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 28 days of the remote activity barring extenuating circumstances.
• Non-conformances identified in the blended audit will be considered a non-conformance in the final report.
• It is NOT possible to complete a blended audit as part of the unannounced audit program.

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 ICTs to collect audit evidence off-site

Step 4: Conducting the on-site audit

Step 5: Closing out the audit

The structure of the remote audit will be similar to that used for on-site audits:

• Document and policy review (audit of records, systems, and documentation)
• Interview/discussion with personnel, (e.g. to discuss the document, policy or record being audited)
• Review of findings

• Audit of production facilities/physical verification of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
• Implementation of food safety management systems (including HACCP activities)
• Interview/discussion with personnel
• Traceability challenge