Fourteen Amcor plants awarded AIB International’s Gold Standard certification

Fourteen Amcor PET Packaging plants have been awarded AIB International’s (AIBI) rigorous Gold Standard certification—more than any other packaging supplier in the world.

“The AIBI Gold Standard program is the most thorough integrated food safety and quality system a company can adopt for its manufacturing organization. On a facility by facility basis, it ensures that the highest levels of food safety and quality management have been achieved and will be maintained, in order to meet and exceed the most demanding customer and regulatory requirements,” says Dr. Maureen Olewnik, vice president audit services, AIBI.

The successful completion of four audits is required for Gold Standard certification during the 12 months prior to application. These include two unannounced Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audits, a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) accreditation, and a Quality Systems Evaluation (QSE) audit. Once the application is accepted, the facility submits random production samples for compliance validation.

“Our goal was to raise the bar and differentiate ourselves from our competition. You have to demonstrate a certain level of long term competence to even qualify for consideration. We are extremely proud that we’ve been able to certify 14 of our North American plants in the first round. It shows our customers that our products are manufactured to the highest quality standards,” says Tod Eberle, vice president, quality systems, engineering standards and blow molding process technologies.

GMP audits include review and training in the areas of food safety and management systems, pest control, operational methods and personnel practices, maintenance for food safety, and cleaning practices.

HACCP accreditation, performed once every three years, includes a HACCP manual review, an on-site plan evaluation and an assessment of its implementation. During the non-accreditation years, HACCP verification is performed annually by an AIBI auditor to ensure that the documented plan is operational.

The QSE verifies that operational management systems which minimize food safety risks and maintain product quality are in place and functioning. The systems evaluation areas include: quality policies, documentation control, equipment (design, safety and analytical calibration), product (safety, performance and prerequisite programs), human resource development, raw materials, process control and verification, storage/shipping and security.

Once Amcor plants have met these prerequisites and are certified, they submit twice per year to random sampling for product validation. Further, they must successfully complete an annual unannounced, multi-day recertification audit. This audit is administered by two senior AIBI auditors, and constitutes a formal recertification to the Gold Standard. If the audit criteria are not met, the plant is decertified for at least one year and must begin the application process from the beginning.

“The quality systems we’ve put in place at Amcor exceed the requirements of our most demanding customers. Our intent is to lead the field, and our success has been validated by our acceptance into AIBI’s Gold Standard certification program. This enables our customers to have the highest confidence in the products we supply them,” Eberle says.

AIB International sets the standard for food safety and provides food companies worldwide with tools to manage risk, build reputation, and protect their brand with audits, training, and educational materials. AIB International offers these services and consulting services in GMPs, HACCP, OSHA, food quality, food defense, ISO 9000, ISO 22000, BRC Global, and FEMAS. AIB began offering food safety education and auditing services in 1948. Learn more at: www.aibonline.org