One notable change in BRCGS Issue 9 is the addition of a third assessment option — the Blended Audit — alongside the two traditional formats: the announced audit and the unannounced audit.
How the Blended Audit Works
A Blended Audit is an announced audit conducted through a combination of on-site and remote electronic assessment, with remote assessment capped at a maximum of 50 percent of total audit time. The remainder must still be conducted on site, particularly to verify actual production process conditions and facility hygiene.
Advantages and Limitations to Weigh
The advantage of this format is reduced time the auditor must spend on site, which can lessen disruption to daily operations and, in some cases, reduce travel cost. However, the organization must have sufficiently stable IT infrastructure for remote assessment and be able to present documents and records systematically through an electronic system.
Considerations Before Choosing This Format
Organizations with complex production processes or higher food safety risk may benefit more from the traditional format, where the auditor remains on site throughout, allowing deeper observation of detail. We recommend organizations consult their certification body to assess the suitability of each format before deciding, based primarily on production process complexity and the organization's technological readiness.