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Certification Connection
EAGLE's Client Newsletter
January 2025
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Welcome New Employees
We are thrilled to welcome two new members to EAGLE who joined the staff in Q3 and Q4:
- Lindsay Abbott | Business Development & Marketing Support
- Lisa Miller | Technical Admin Coordinator
Lindsay and Lisa have already contributed valuable new perspectives and we’re confident they will play a key role in helping EAGLE achieve even greater success in 2025!
ISO Logo | We make mistakes too!
Contributed by Kelly Abbott | Director of Certification & Technical Services
This article aims to address an error in our last newsletter. The topic focused on the Climate Change Amendment released in early 2024, with the goal of sharing information about the update and highlighting its importance. In our attempt to raise awareness, we mistakenly used the ISO logo. As many of you are aware, this is not permitted.
Appeals Process Change
Contributed by Kelly Abbott | Director of Certification & Technical Services
We have recently updated our appeals process and want to ensure you are aware of this important change. If you wish to submit an appeal, it must now be done within 7 days of the closing meeting. This change is necessary to meet the timing requirements for closing NCRs. Appeals submitted close to action due dates can impact our ability to review the information and meet closure timelines.
You can find the updated Appeals and Complaints process in Document 9, available in EMIS and on our website. This document now clearly specifies the new due date for appeal requests. Please take note of this change and ensure any appeals are submitted within the required timeframe.
New Products and Programs
What's Incubating?
Contributed by Jessica Osborne | Chief Program Officer
It feels like ages since we last connected! As we look ahead to 2025, I’m excited about what’s in store and eager to share updates on our latest products and initiatives. Over the past six months, we’ve made significant strides, and I can’t wait to fill you in, including how you can get involved!
New EMIS Access!
Contributed by Kelly Abbott | Director of Certification & Technical Services
EAGLE is pleased to announce that additional visibility has been added to audit information in EMIS. Clients can now log in to view their Audits List, which includes two valuable dashboards: Upcoming Audits in Confirmed Status and Upcoming Unannounced Audits (for programs that require this). Once an audit date has passed, it will move to the completed audits list.
EAGLE Travel Policy
Contributed by Kelly Abbott | Director of Certification & Technical Services
This is to follow up on our September 2024 notification of the adjustment to EAGLE’s travel policy which affects both clients and auditors. This decision was not made lightly; after a thorough review, we believe this change is essential for the benefit of both our clients and auditors.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Becomes a Prominent Component of Food Safety Certifications
Article in American Vegetable Grower Magazine
Authored by Kellie Worrell | Certification Manager, GLOBALG.A.P. and PrimusGFS
Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is
becoming a prominent component of primary production third-party food safety certifications for fruit and vegetable growers. IPM is a sustainable approach to pest and disease management that combines biological, cultural, and chemical tools to keep pests below relevant damage thresholds while minimizing
environmental, human health, and economic risks.
Why Start-Ups Should Care About Putting Standards First
Contributed by Colin Christmas | Managing Director
On average, about 90% of start-ups fail and around 70% of start-ups fail within the first five years. Take a look at this insightful blog from David Horlock, published by Hinrich Foundation, connecting start-ups with the importance of standards.
OASIS Database Fees
Contributed by April Leonard | Program Manager
As a reminder, the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) has updated the OASIS usage fees for AS 9100, 9120, and 9110 Certified Organizations.
What’s Changed?
Recertification audits will now incur an OASIS database fee of $700, an increase from $500 in previous years. This change became effective on August 1, 2024.
Any audits, including recertifications, surveillance, or special audits, that involve changes to the scope of certification, address modifications (such as adding, removing, or changing addresses), or company name will also incur an OASIS Certificate Modification fee of $300.
GLOBALG.A.P. Training Resources
Contributed by Mallory Lucas | EAGLE Food Technical Manager
GLOBALG.A.P. has started releasing training videos on critical requirements like conducting risk assessments and how to complete the Mass Balance. Their team is continuously adding training content to the site. Access these trainings here through GLOBALG.A.P.’s website.
GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) v6 is now mandatory! As a reminder, we have recorded free training videos for our clients to help with the transition. Access the full set of recordings below.
Leveraging Effective Internal Auditing Against Common Risks Leading to Nonconformity
Contributed by Mike Ftacnik | IATF Lead Auditor
The IATF requirements are a robust set of best practices to drive business improvement. Included in those practices are requirements for assessing customer satisfaction, continual improvement, change management, and problem-solving. All of these practices support the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. In the IATF Rules 6 effective January 1, 2025, there is a greatly expanded section '5.8 Conducting Audits’ addressed to auditors to challenge each client during the audit process to prove effective systems are in place for addressing the PDCA cycle.
IATF Rules 6th Edition
New Reporting Process and NCR Timing Reminder
Contributed by Caitlin Jefferson | Senior Certification Manager
Please click the button below to review the new IATF Rules 6th requirements on the technical review process as well as a reminder on the significant changes on Nonconformity Timing.
IAF Annual Meeting | Berlin
Contributed by Colin Christmas | Managing Director
In October 2024, our Managing Director, Colin Christmas, represented IQNET at the IAF Annual Meeting in Berlin as Food Working Group Co-Convenor.
IQNET Managing Director, Pedro Alves, as IAF Conformity Assessment Body Advisory Committee (CABAC) Chair talked during the IAF-ILAC Midterm meetings in Berlin on the committee's priority issues and value proposition. IQNET is also represented in the IAF committee meetings by liaison representatives: Alex Stoichitoiu-SRAC, Colin Christmas-EAGLE, Michael Drechsel-DQS, Gustavo Pontoriero-IRAM, and many others.
ANAB Logo Update
Contributed by April Leonard | Program Manager
A few years ago, ANAB updated their logo, and the transition period has now concluded. As of January 1, 2025, all interested parties, including Certified Organizations, are required to use the new logo.
FSIS Announces Stronger Measures to Protect the Public from Listeria Monocytogenes
Contributed by Lindsey Stafford | Director of Certification (FSMS)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced several new steps to strengthen the agency’s oversight of food processing facilities it regulates (meat, poultry and egg products) and ensure safe food. These steps reflect the agency’s continual effort to protect public health through science-based regulation, strong enforcement, and advancement of its prevention-first approach to eliminating foodborne illness.
AS 9100/AS 9120 Record Keeping Recommendation
Contributed by April Leonard | Program Manager
EAGLE has noticed that some organizations are relying on the OASIS database to store records of corrective actions for nonconformances identified during AS 9100/AS 9120 audits. As a reminder, while it is required to utilize the OASIS database for audit reporting and NCR management, this database should not be used as the official record for these items.
IQNET Year-End Meeting
Contributed by Colin Christmas | Managing Director
In November 2024, our Managing Director, Colin Christmas, attended the IQNET Association Year-End Meeting in Montevideo, where LSQA Uruguay warmly welcomed IQNET members from around the globe and showcased their wonderful country. The gathering aimed to promote mutual recognition, trust, and collaboration, while sharing progress and working on strategic objectives. This was especially significant as November 11th marks IQNET Day, a celebration of the global network of certification bodies dedicated to excellence.
The theme for this year, "Knowledgeable," highlights how IQNET unites certification bodies to leverage local expertise, collect and share vast amounts of data, and transform it into knowledge. This knowledge benefits professionals, businesses, regulators, and trade organizations, fueling international initiatives that bring advantages to global markets.
Why Governments Need to Adopt Standards for Procurement
Contributed by Colin Christmas | Managing Director
As the largest consumers of goods and services within their economies, governments have the power to influence market dynamics. By adopting international standards, such as those set by the ISO, governments can align their procurement processes with global best practices and lead the way in promoting ethical sourcing, sustainability, and responsible business conduct.
Volunteering Activities
Volunteering the EAGLE Way
Contributed by Kellie Worrell | Certification Manager, GLOBALG.A.P. and PrimusGFS
We are proud to highlight EAGLE'S commitment to giving back to the community. Volunteering is more than just an act of service; it reflects our values as a company!
Click here to read Kellie's inspiring blog about EAGLE's volunteering efforts!
Contributed by Colin Christmas | Managing Director
ISO 9001 APG Guidance on Auditing Resources
The approach to auditing resources needs to consider the extent to which resources influence the conformity of products and services to applicable requirements and the improvement of the QMS.
SQF Digital Seminar | The Crucial Role of Packaging in Ensuring Food Safety
Packaging plays a crucial role in assuring food safety from production to consumption. This SQF365 digital seminar with EAGLE explores the multifaceted importance of food packaging, highlighting food interaction with packaging materials, and its role in protecting food from contamination.
The Advantages of Data-Driven Decision-Making
Evidence-Based Decision Making is a key principle for a Quality Management System. Harvard Business School's article titled "The Advantages of Data-Driven Decision-Making", states that more than half of Americans rely on their “gut” to make a decision. While intuition can provide a hunch or spark that starts you down a particular path, it’s through data that you verify, understand, and quantify. According to a survey of more than 1,000 senior executives, highly data-driven organizations are three times more likely to report significant improvements in decision-making compared to those who rely less on data.
New Publication | IWA 48:2024
Framework for implementing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.
ISO's ESG Implementation Principles (IWA 48) is a high-level structure and set of principles designed to guide organizations in implementing and embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices within their organizational culture.
IAF MLA Report
IAF has published its annual Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) Report, which highlights the activities carried out as part of the peer evaluation process to ensure that regulators, specifiers, and businesses can have confidence in the IAF MLA.
Sedgwick | Brand Protection
EAGLE Sponsored Training
Implementing SQF Systems - Official, Licensed SQF Course
This 2-day live virtual course is based on SQF Code Edition 9. The instructor will tailor the class to participants’ specific needs, with emphasis on how compliance to the SQF Code can be achieved in a practical manner implemented in operations and documented to build trust in your products or services. NOTE: This class will be taught primarily in English. Both instructors are bi-lingual with Spanish for individuals who may need some clarification.
ISO 9001:2015 Training
Three live virtual courses (all certified by Exemplar Global) designed to help provide an understanding of the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. Some or all courses help participants become familiar with ISO 9000:2015 QMS terminology; learn how to conduct audits using the process approach; plan, manage, and schedule an audit program; and ask effective audit questions that yield results.
8AM-6PM CT Daily
Foundations | March 3-4, 2025
Certified Internal Auditor | March 3-5, 2025
Certified Lead Auditor | March 3-6, 2025
EAGLE Promoted Training
EAGLE is excited to share opportunities for Food Safety Training Classes with Superior Food Safety. All SQF classes are taught by an SQF Licensed Trainer and all FSPCA classes are taught by FSPCA Lead Instructors. All classes are Virtual-Online and On-Site.
