AOECS - GLUTEN FREE ALLIANCE STARTS TRAINING FOR FOOD AUDITORS

AOECS - Gluten Free Alliance starts training sessions for food auditors to give them a good understanding of the new AOECS Standard 3.0. This new version will become mandatory for all companies licenced with the Crossed Grain Trademark as of January 1st, 2023.

The new standard becomes mandatory on January 1st, 2023
The AOECS Standard 3.0 provides guidelines for food business operators manufacturing gluten-free packaged food. The new standard was launched in July 2022 and will become mandatory as of 1st January 2023, for those companies whose food products hold the Crossed Grain Trademark on-pack.

AOECS launches auditor training to equip them with a good understanding of the new AOECS Standard 3.0
In conjunction with the release of the new standard, AOECS kicks off with two days auditor training to support auditors who perform audits against the new AOECS Standard.

“This auditor training is an important step towards AOECS supporting auditors getting prepared for conducting AOECS stand-alone audits. In addition to the AOECS Standard 3.0 we have created a new audit checklist and also a producers’ self-assessment which surely will be of great help for auditors getting their work done successfully”, says Veronica Rubio, Secretary General at AOECS.

First training session in November
The first training course will take place over two days on November 18 and November 24, 2022 with the possibility to be repeated as per demand.

Target audience
All participants must have a recognized professional auditing qualification and be accredited by one of the following certification schemes: ISO 22000:2005, BRC or IFS or also ISO9001:2015, if specialized in the food sector.

The training is designed for both experienced and new auditors in conducting AOECS stand-alone audits. They can be both freelancers or auditors working for accredited certification bodies.

Training is accessible by invitation only
Auditors interested to participate in this training should ask for an invitation to the National Coeliac Society in the country where they operate

A five-hour training held in two sessions
The training course will be held in two sessions of 2,5 hours each so that auditors will have the opportunity to take a breath and ask additional questions in the second session.

The course costs 225 euros + VAT and it covers all important topics: the regulatory framework in Europe, how the AOECS European Licensing System for pre-packaged gluten-free food works and how an audit should be performed from A-Z to make sure requirements in the AOECS Standard 3.0 are correctly met.

All participants of this training course will receive a certificate after passing an online test after the training.