3.1 Introduction

The requirements contained in this section describe the requirements that a scheme owner shall have in place in relation to their food safety scheme’s system, in order to ensure compliance with the GFSI Guidance Document.

3.2 Relationship with Accreditation Bodies

3.2.1 The scheme owner shall have enforceable arrangements with their respective Accreditation Bodies to ensure compliance with the GFSI Requirements for the Application of ISO /IEC 17011:2004 – Conformity assessment – General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies (reference Part II Annex 2) or have in place an Agreement with Accreditation Bodies endorsed by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), which provides equivalence to the GFSI Requirements for the Application of ISO /IEC 17011:2004 – Conformity assessment – General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies.

The scheme owner shall formally appoint a representative in charge of contact with the Accreditation Body.

3.2.2 The scheme owner shall ensure that, in the event that a Certification Body has had its accreditation withdrawn or suspended by an Accreditation Body, the scheme owner is informed of this action and of the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal or suspension of accreditation.