SLAQ Members Receive Accredited HACCP Certifications

A news release from ISO FORUM of Sri Lanka Association for Quality (SLAQ) states that Ms. Shinwa Lanka Pvt. Ltd. and SLS Warehousing Pvt. Ltd., who are two Company Members of the SLAQ had recently received HACCP (Food Safety Management Certifications) certificates from Certification International (UK).

In addition these companies received ISO 9001:2000 certificates from CI (UK) and both these certifications are with accreditation from United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). Quality International Certification Services Pvt. Ltd (QICS) had arranged these certifications in Sri Lanka .

The above news release further states that these two are among the first group of companies to receive HACCP based on ISO standards with accreditation from UKAS. These certifications are based on ISO 9001:2000 (Requirements for Quality Management Systems) and ISO 15161:2001 (Guidelines for application of ISO 9001: 2000 to the Food and Drink Industry). UKAS made this provision to assist companies too seeks accredited certification based on ISO standards.

As UKAS is now offering accredited certification based on ISO 22 000:2005(Requirements for the Food Safety management Systems), which was issued by ISO in September 2005, these companies now have an opportunity to obtain UKAS accredited certification based ISO 22 000: 2005.

Ms. Shinwa Lanka Pvt. Ltd. is engaged in processing value-added seafood products for international markets. These include a number of prawn-based products, live and cooked Lobsters, frozen Cuttlefish and frozen Crabs.

SLS Warehousing Pvt. Ltd is engaged in blending of tea for export, and this operation is covered by both HACCP and ISO 9001certificate. The other operations of this company, which includes storage facilities, are covered under the ISO 9001 certificate.

SLAQ was highlighting the need to seek accredited certification and an awareness campaign was undertaken which included many seminars and discussions were held in the past. It is noted that exporters had now realized the importance of internationally valid certifications. It is understood that many SLAQ members are developing FSMS systems for obtain accredited certifications in the near future.

SLAQ offers free guidance to those companies seeking internationally accepted certificates. This effort will support food processors to export their products to many sophisticated markets. Some countries have already issued regulations to follow HACCP for processing to export these countries. It is expected this requirement will soon become a global requirement.

As such food processors are advices to take early action to develop HACCP and seek accredited certification.

SLAQ website: www.qualityassociation.org . Keeps the industry updated on development in the field of Quality Management (ISO 9001) food safety Management (ISO 22000), Environment Management (ISO 14001), Occupational Health & Safety (OHSAS 18001) and also Social Accountability (SA 8000). Information on CE Mark, Organic certification, Forestry Management will also be provided.