SAS, the Swiss NAB, hosted the meeting of the EA CC WG Food on 12 and 13 June 2018 in Geneva (Switzerland).
The Food Working Group of EA Certification Committee is dedicated to:
- the development of consistent accreditation of entities delivering certification in the food and feed sector
- facilitating and promoting exchange of information to enhance harmonization and use of best practices among all the EA Members.
This meeting was the opportunity to discuss the activities managed by the Working Group with a focus on:
- Feedback of IAF WG Food, such as the Memorandum of Understanding with GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) managed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
- EA Task Force Group on the Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs 1151/2012 PDO/PGI, with discussion on the date of implementation and transition plan;
- The Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91
- Common approach toward “compliant” controls under the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 of 8 December 2008 laying down detailed rules for implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 as regards the arrangements for imports of organic products from third countries;
- International Assessor Training for Organic Production according to ISO/IEC-Guide 17065, organized by DAkkS on 14 and 15 May in Berlin;
- Revision of ISO 22000 (published in June 2018) and ISO/TS 22003:2013 Food safety management systems — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of food safety management systems;
- Discussion on food schemes, including cases under EA 1/22 EA Procedure and Criteria for the Evaluation of Conformity Assessment Schemes by EA Accreditation Body Members, the new status of EA Recognized Stakeholders given to IFS (International Featured Standards) Management GmbH and the on-going evaluation of the Global Red Meat Scheme.
- Representation of EA CC WG Food at next EA CC meeting organized in Warsaw on the 11 and 12 September 2018.
It was also the occasion for members to exchange on the revision of the following EA publications:
- EA 3/12 EA Policy For the Accreditation of Organic Production Certification;
- EA 6/04 EA Guidelines on the Accreditation of Certification of Primary Sector Products by Means of Sampling of Sites.