Steps to obtaining APIQ certification

Contact APIQ Management to find out how we can assist you to become APIQ Certified

Phone: 1800 789 099

Email: apiq@australianpork.com.au

Download the APIQ Manuals and Guides from the resource library.

The manuals and guides will provide you with a complete overview of the APIQ program.

Work Through the APIQ Manuals and Guides and create:

• A Piggery Management Manual or Quality Assurance (QA) Manual
• A record keeping system to meet the APIQ Standards and Performance Indicators. These may include:
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or Work Instructions (WIs) explaining your processes and procedures
  • Records developed using the APIQ templates, your own records, or the Pig Management Diary available for small holders (contact APIQ Management for a free copy).

Manage the piggery as described in your Piggery Management Manual.

Complete an Internal Audit using your own internal template or the APIQ Express Audit Checklist

The APIQ Standards require producers to complete an internal audit once a year. This should happen six months after conducting the site audit. You can do as many internal audits as you like.

Small Holder producers can print and complete Section 3 of the Small Holder manual as the template for an internal audit report. This will step you through the Standards and Performance Indicators for your certification and the verification options you are seeking (Coles Specifications for Supply to Coles Supermarkets and/or Gestation Stall Free).

You can identify opportunities for improvement and create personal Corrective Action Requests. When implemented they will drive improvements in farm operations and practices.

Create Corrective Action Requests (CARs) for non-compliance identified in your Internal Audit. Complete the corrective actions to close each CAR.

A CAR should:

• Outline the non-compliance
• List proposed actions to be taken to remedy the non-compliance
• Specify a timeframe to close the CAR
• Be signed off on completion

Once you are confident that your system is working and you have completed steps 1 to 5, you can arrange for a Compliance Audit.

Contact APIQ Management to request an audit/s

Your site details will be updated within the APL records management system. Records will reflect that you are seeking APIQ Certification. If you are new to the industry, a record will be created for your site. APIQ Management will confirm site specific information including:

• PIC
• Tattoo
• Site address details

APIQ Management will advise AUS-MEAT that you have requested an audit.

Your AUS-MEAT assigned auditor will contact you to schedule your audit

You, or your representative/s, participate in the Compliance Audit

The AUS-MEAT auditor performs the following on-site functions as part of a Compliance Audit:

• Desk Audit: the auditor meets with the producer or their representative to review the audit plan. Activities include:
  • Conducting a review of the Piggery Management Manual (previously known as QA Manual) and recording system.
    • The producer locates and outlines key elements of the manual(s) and record(s)
    • Ensure issues identified in previous audits have been rectified
    • Auditor selects other focus areas that arise through the course of the discussion
• Site Audit: the auditor conducts a Site Audit walking through the facilities and piggery areas. Activities include:
  • observing the operations
  • Discussing activities with workers, owners or management
  • Evaluating the practices being used against the producers Piggery Management Manual
• Closing Meeting: during this meeting the auditor, producer and any representatives will:
  • Review the findings and observations of the Compliance Audit
  • Agree to and sign off on Corrective Action Requests
  • Outline further steps required for approval

The auditor records audit findings and creates a compliance audit report for your site

AUS-MEAT will provide you with a copy of this report. Where CAR(s) are identified, they will provide you with a Corrective Action Report specifying items for action.

You work with your auditor to close out any CAR(s) within 60 days of the date of your audit.

AUS-MEAT will notify APIQ Management about the status of your audit

APIQ Management maintains the APIQ Certification record for your site. They will notify you of your APIQ certification status. Status can be current, conditional, extended, suspended, or cancelled.

For producers new to APIQ, status is provided as soon as you have met all APIQ Standards and Performance Indicators.

If your site has CAR(s) still to be closed, APIQ Management will determine whether they can issue Conditional Certification. In this case Current Certification will apply once all CAR(s) are closed.

Your APIQ Certificate is available via the APL PigPass portal. You are given access details to PigPass in your notification email, or through APIQ Management if you do not have internet access.

AUS-MEAT will invoice you directly for their audit services

APIQ Compliance Audit Fees and Charges have been set and agreed to by the APL Board and AUS-Meat.

Auditors may take photographs within the piggery. These photographs will be to verify compliance or non-compliance to the APIQ Standards. Any photographs will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.