Certification of the Food Safety Management Systems (HACCP)

Manufacturing, packaging, transport, storage and selling of food products represent high-risk operations for the consumer’s health. All the organization that activate in these sectors and which enter in direct contact with the consumer’s health must comply with certain requirements, most of them being laid down by the legislation in force.
The integration of Romania in the European Union imposed even more requirements on the organizations in the food safety. Presently, all these organizations are obliged to implement a food safety management system HACCP.
SIMTEX-OC (now known as RINA SIMTEX-THE CERTIFICATION BODY) is the first Romanian Certification Body Accredited for the certification of the food safety management system and presently, in terms of the certified companies, RINA SIMTEX is market leader in this sector!
The certification body of the HACCP systems is accredited by RENAR for the certification of the HACCP systems and functions within the organizational structure of RINA SIMTEX in accordance with the latest international standards.

Among our clients that have already certified their HACCP system, there are important companies, such as:

What is the HACCP system?
HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) is a systematic and internationally recognised approach, which proves that the risks regarding food safety are identified, assessed and kept under control. The certification of HACCP represents a proof of the implementation of this system in an organization. There are a set of standards function of which this certification is performed.
What exactly does this certification process consist in and how long does it last?
The stages of the certification body are described systematically in this document.
What are the standards based on which the certification of the HACCP management system is performed?
In Romania, the organizations may certify their HACCP management system in accordance with the following reference standard:
- ISO 22000 (the first international standard for the HACCP certification)

What is the validity period of a certificate?
For the organizations whose HACCP has been certified, RINA SIMTEX grants a certificate for a 3 year validity period.
Which are the regulations needed for an organization to certify its HACCP system?
For the organizations that activate in the food sector (food products, beverages code NACE: DA), trade of food products (code NACE: GA), but also hotels and restaurants (code NACE: HA), there are the following government orders:
- Government Order GO 1198/2002 published in OG 866/December 2nd, 2002 regarding the approval of the hygiene norms for food products whereby all the organization that process, manufacture, transport, store or sell food products are under the obligation to implement a system for food safety (HACCP). This Government Order GO 1198/2002 was repealed by the GO 924/August 11th, 2005 published in the Official Gazette 804 dated September 5th, 2005 and this shall come in force beginning with October 1st, 2005 and approves the General Rules for food safety.

- The Government Order GO 924/2004 that regulates the requirements, which organizations must comply with. These requirements are presented in the General Rules for Food Products Hygiene approved by the GO 924/2005.
Which are the advantages of an organisation that already has implemented a system (e.g. the Quality Management System ISO 9001) when the organisation wishes the certification of the HACCP Management System as well?
Many organizations that already have a certified Quality Management System (in accordance with ISO 9001), may choose to integrate the future HACCP Management System with the existing one. In over 95% of the cases, the advantage of the integration of management systems is that time, work and money are saved. That is why, RINA SIMTEX recommends the integration of the management systems where there is already an implemented system.
Which are the advantages of the HACCP certification for an organization?

1. Gaining new commodity markets

2. Preventing the possible diseases from transmitting from animals to human beings

3. Identification and better control of the risks associated with food safety.

4. Fulfilment of potential auction criteria

5. Ensuring the partners and clients that the products are manufactured within a system that does not endanger their life or health

6. Reducing the consumption of energy, water and of all resources, in general.

7. Gaining the local community trust concerning the policy for environment protection.

8. Reducing the incidents that involve the organizations legal liabilityReducing the incidents that involve the organizations legal liability

9. Increasing the presence on the market, especially on the international market

10. Improvement of the employees work conditions

11. Constant improvement of the good practices for food safety

12. Fulfilment of the present market requirements regarding the manufacture of ecological products

Which are the advantages of the certification of the HACCP Management System with RINA SIMTEX?

1. The guarantee of our portfolio of clients whose HACCP system has been certified by RINA SIMTEX represents a proof of our auditors professionalism.

2. RINA SIMTEX accreditation for the certifications in all the domains of the NACE Code.

3. The vast professional experience of our auditors both in the organization’s activity domain and in the assessment domain (auditing).

4. Informing the organisations on the financing programmes and on the participation conditions to these programmes, which reduce significantly the cost of the certification.

5. Publishing the list of the certified societies on the web page of the certification body (the site is visited by thousands of people)

6. Guarantee of free and non-discriminating access to certification.

7. Confidentiality of the information obtained in the certification process

Which are the certification stages for the HACCP management system?
The main stages of the certification process of HACCP systems are as follows:
Initiation of the certification process (contacting RINA SIMTEX for the certification)
Initial assessment
Assessment of the HACCP management system
Assessment of the certification file.
Granting the certification for the HACCP management system.
Note: The certificate is granted only if the organization complies with all the requirements regarding the certification specified for each stage of the certification process in accordance with the General Rules for the Certification of the HACCP Management Systems, code RG.

Surveillance

Renewal of certification.

Each stage of the certification process is finalised with written documents, based on which the certification decision is made: Initial Assessment Report, Report of audit on site,

Summary of Assessment.

How does the certification begin?

In order that the certification process can be initiated, you have to address to RINA SIMTEX, in writing, no.10A, Ramuri Tei Street, sector 2, postal code 020354, PO 13-138, Bucharest or by accessing this form (click here). We are prepared to offer you the documents (the official request and the preliminary assessment questionnaire) for the initiation of the certification process and further information regarding the certification of the HACCP Management System. In order to obtain a price offer as soon as possible, it is necessary for you to send the preliminary questionnaire completed.