August 23rd, 2021
Overview of the revision of the JFS-C Certification Program Document

Japan Food Safety Management Association
I. Purpose of revision
The Japan Food Safety Management Association (hereafter referred to as JFSM)
publishes Version 3.1 of the JFS-C Certification Program Document ascorrective actions versus the comments raised by the Benchmark Leader(hereafter referred to as BML) during the re-approval audit versus theBenchmarking Requirements (hereafter referred to as BR) 2020.1 by GFSI.

II. Revision policy
This revision as a part of corrective action to GFSI benchmarking process. As aresult of the GFSI re-approval audit of Version 3.0 of the JFS-C certification
program document published by JFSM in October last year, it is necessary tomake corrections. A separate notice will be issued to accreditation bodies,certification bodies and certified organizations regarding their response.

III. Overview of the JFS-C Certification Program Document revisions(1) Program requirements
・ 2.9 JFSM confirms that the certification bodies have a process to publish audit reports
in English, the official translation language, or in the language required by theorganization.

・・・・・

3.6.1 JFSM establishes and implements an Integrity Program to demonstratethat the certification bodies conform to the requirements of the Certification
Program and manage their activities effectively.
3.6.3 JFSM implements a risk-based assessment program when conducting adesktop review of certification body audit activities.
3.6.4 JFSM implements a risk-based certification body office audit program thatfocuses on the implementation of the Certification Program requirements by thecertification bodies.
3.6.5 JFSM defines key performance indicators (KPIs) for certification body activities
in the results of desktop reviews and office audits performed on certification bodies.
3.6.8 JFSM carries out the desktop reviews, office audits of certification bodies,
evaluation of certification operations through entries in the database, and monitoringof audit reports as described in 3.6.1-3.6.7 as part of the surveillance activities for theintegrity program. Each program will be a risk-based assessment and risk-based
factors are summarized in Annex 4. Details of the implementation of the integrity
program are set out in the "Rules on surveillance activities for certification bodies in
1 / 3relation to JFS-C certification program documents"

・・・・・・

3.11 The switch from other GFSI recognized standards is acceptable only if thescope of JFS-C standard is equivalent to current certified scope when certified
organization is willing to switch to our standard and the equivalence of bothscopes of certifications, audit reports including the previous unannounced
audit and audit histories are minimum requirements defined by JFSM.
Certification bodies shall decide on the validation and approval of theswitching and ensure that JFSM is notified of its approval rationale.
5.2.2３）Certification bodies shall implement procedures for auditor selection,including auditor rotation, such as no more than six consecutive audits at thesame site, in order to maintain the impartiality of the audits.
5.2.2 6）③When a minor nonconformity is found in an audit, the auditor shallrequest the organization to take correction and establish corrective action plan,and to submit those relevant evidences. Within 30 days from the end of theaudit, those completion of correction and efficacy of corrective action plan shallbe verified and approved when acceptable. The completion and effectiveness ofthe corrective action shall be evaluated in the next scheduled audit.
5.2.3１）The audit report is a record to prove that the auditor has properly conducted
the audit and determined the conformity of the organization. The certification bodyshall have a clear structure for the preparation and production of the audit report.
The certification body shall prepare the audit report in accordance with this structureand deliver it to the organization within two weeks after the decision to certify orcontinue certification.
6.2.1 Certification bodies shall have systems and procedures in place to ensure thatthe auditors conducting audits comply with the competence requirements set forth in
ISO/IEC17021, ISO/TS 22003 and IAF MD4, and in particular the requirements set
by JFSM, regardless of their scope of accreditation.
Systems and procedures should include:
1） Maintain records to ensure that each auditor has the required competence for thesector or sub-sector in which they are registered.
2） The qualifications, education and work experience of the auditors required foreach sector or sub-sector (as specified in Annex 3)3） The certification body shall re-evaluate the competence of each auditor every
three years by attending on-site audits to GFSI endorsed standards.
A witness-assessment on auditor performance by an accreditation body may only
be substituted for a witness-assessment on auditor performance by a certification
body, only if the report is reviewed and verified as equivalent by witness-assessorof the certification body.
Witness-assessments shall not be carried out on the following assessment occasions① Extraordinary audit② Additional audit③ Re-audit
If there is any doubt about the competence of an auditor, JFSM will request thecertification body to provide evidence to support the competence of the auditor. If thecertification body is unable to provide evidence of the competence of the auditor foreach registered sector or subsector, JFSM will delete the registration of the sector orsubsector for which the competence was not recognized.
In addition, certification bodies shall reassess the competence of each auditor every
three years in a witnessed on-site audit under the GFSI Approved Standards.

6.2.6１）Auditor training
2 / 3

・Certification bodies shall ensure that trainers in charge of conducting auditor training
in the certification bodies (hereinafter referred to as "trainers") have completed thetraining provided by JFSM.

・Trainers shall establish annual training programs based on the training defined above
and conduct the programs for the auditors. The training programs shall include thefollowing.
Annex1 4 Only If the minimum man-hours for audit is lower than calculated

・

minimum man-hours for audit due to circumstances such as combined audit, thecertification body shall submit the relevant supporting evidence to JFSM andexplain the reason for the lower man-hours for approval.
JFSM shall approve it only when it judges that the validity of man-hours and audit
items is ensured by the risk factors in the integrity program of the audit.

・・・

Annex 2 From a reference to a regulation (the regulation does not require
the auditor to demonstrate competence in all elements one by one) The rules
are not intended to require the auditor to demonstrate each and every elementof competence), and the scope of the rules has been extended to include auditors,
audit witness assessors and technical reviewers.
Annex 3 Scope of application of JFS-C standards and certification program isadded
Annex 4 is added

3 / 3