Summary
In short
- An unannounced audit readiness check is a checklist used in KnowComply that checks whether the site would pass an audit arriving today, covering records, standards and area condition. It is built against BRCGS cl.1.1 and forms part of the HACCP and Food Safety programme.
- Run monthly, unannounced internally. Completed by the compliance lead.
- The template holds 48 fields across 6 sections.
- Scoring is readiness score, where high is good.
- BRCGS is brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards. A family of GFSI recognised certification schemes covering food, packaging and storage and distribution.
- It connects to the rest of the library: links Internal audits, Readiness audits.
What it is
What it is
What is an unannounced audit readiness check?
An unannounced audit readiness check is a checklist used in KnowComply that checks whether the site would pass an audit arriving today, covering records, standards and area condition. It is built against BRCGS cl.1.1 and forms part of the HACCP and Food Safety programme.
When is an unannounced audit readiness check completed?
An unannounced audit readiness check is completed at the point in the process the check protects, every time that process runs. Run monthly, unannounced internally.
When to use it
When to use it, and when not to
This checklist is one step in a larger programme. Using it for work that belongs to a neighbouring template produces records that are hard to report on later.
Use it for
- The event or activity this checklist covers has occurred, or is about to
- The workspace is being set up, or the register needs an entry added or retired
- You are running the HACCP and Food Safety programme and this is one of its steps
- A linked record needs this one to exist: links internal audits, readiness audits
Not for
- Customer Audit Record, which records a customer or second party audit, its findings and the response given.
- Audit Non Conformance Response Record, which holds the formal response to an external finding, with correction, root cause, corrective action and evidence.
- Certification Body Performance Review, which reviews the certification body on auditor consistency, technical competence, scheduling and value.
- Anything outside KnowComply, which belongs in the workspace that owns that process
Standards
What it is built against
BRCGSBrand Reputation Compliance Global Standards
A family of GFSI recognised certification schemes covering food, packaging and storage and distribution.
BRCBRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
The earlier name for BRCGS. Clause numbers refer to the food safety standard.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the unannounced audit readiness check template based on?+
It is built against BRCGS cl.1.1. BRCGS is brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards. A family of GFSI recognised certification schemes covering food, packaging and storage and distribution. BRC is bRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety. The earlier name for BRCGS. Clause numbers refer to the food safety standard.
What sections does the unannounced audit readiness check contain?+
There are 6 sections: header, site condition, records, people, related records, outcome. Together they hold 48 fields, 43 of which are required.
How many unannounced audit readiness check records should we have?+
This is a singleton. One record per workspace, set up once and maintained, rather than one per event. Other templates refer back to it.
Which programme does the unannounced audit readiness check belong to?+
It is part of HACCP and Food Safety, Internal Audit and Certification, Scheme Certification Readiness. A HACCP system an auditor can follow from hazard to record without asking a single question.
How is an unannounced audit readiness check scored?+
Scoring is readiness score. High is good. Scores exist to make the form tell you something, not to produce a percentage for its own sake.
Can the unannounced audit readiness check template be changed?+
Yes. Every field, option, score and conditional rule is editable, and the links to other templates come with it. Most teams install it as it is, run it for a cycle, then adjust.
The agents
What the agents do with it
The form is the easy part. Keeping it current, routing it to the right owner and holding the evidence together is the work that actually slips.
Holds the unannounced audit readiness check library against your registers, routes each record to its owner, and keeps the evidence trail together.
Coordinates the crew, rolls completion and exceptions into one view, and holds every write for your approval before it touches a record.
This template lives in KnowComply — audit and governance. Audit programmes, legal register, management review, risk and certification.
Sources
Sources
- BRCGS — Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards
- BRC — BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety