PrimusLabs - Affiliated Auditor Program

Auditor Programs

PrimusLabs Audit Protocols

There are currently four audit protocols that define an auditors' association with PrimusLabs (company and online systems) when conducting audits. The audit protocol is defined in bold at the top of the first page of the audit report.

PrimusLabs Contracted Audits
A contracted audit is performed by one of PrimusLabs' staff members. PrimusLabs' staff are trained when hired, receive ongoing training, communicate with colleagues and their reports are subject to a review system for quality control. Contracted audit reports will state "Contract" in the title and the report will also bear the PrimusLabs logo.

PrimusLabs Subcontracted Audits
A subcontracted audit is conducted on behalf of PrimusLabs by an affiliate. PrimusLabs selects an affiliate based on the individual's abilities, location and past performance. Subcontracted affiliates are not employees of PrimusLabs and are free to accept or decline any audit offers presented to them by PrimusLabs. Affiliates chosen for subcontracting work have successfully passed the online exam, attended a training seminar, receive email updates and have shadowed a PrimusLabs auditor.
Subcontract audit reports are subject to a review system for quality control. Subcontract audit reports will state "Sub Contract" in the title and the report will also bear the PrimusLabs logo.

Independently Contracted Audits An independently contracted audit is performed by an affiliate utilizing the PrimusLabs system. Affiliates solicit work for themselves and use the PrimusLabs online auditing database. Affiliates must complete the online training and successfully pass the auditor exam. Affiliates should not be first party or second party operators. Affiliates who are not utilized for subcontracting do not have to attend the training seminar and do not have to shadow or be shadowed. Many affiliates do attend the training sessions as part of their continuing education and to obtain a better understanding of the PrimusLabs system. Independently contracted audits are not subject to any audit report review system.
Affiliate audit reports that have not been subcontracted by PrimusLabs will state "Independently Contracted" in the title and the report will not bear the PrimusLabs logo.

Self-Audits
Self-audits are conducted by individuals who have downloaded or utilized the online versions of PrimusLabs' audits. These auditors may be using PrimusLabs' audit templates to perform internal audits, pre-audits, their own procurement audits or may be used by consultants. Self-audits may be first or second party auditors. Self-auditors are not required to take the auditor exam or receive any training from PrimusLabs but are welcome to attend any workshops offered by PrimusLabs. Self-auditors who choose to use the online audit templates (as opposed to downloaded pdf, excel files, etc.) can submit reports to the PrimusLabs database for storage however, their reports are not subject to any report review system. Self-audit reports have "Self-Audit" in the title and will not bear the PrimusLabs logo.

Click here for audit scheme information

Affiliated & Subcontracted Auditing

I. Introduction

This section of PrimusLabs' website details the procedure for becoming a third party auditor under the PrimusLabs system. Please click on Auditor Categories and scroll down to see the definitions of the different types of auditors. Affiliate auditing is whereby the auditor utilizes the PrimusLabs internet based database systems. Subcontract auditing is where PrimusLabs subcontracts work to the chosen auditor. Any affiliate wishing to become an option for subcontracted work must attend the PrimusLabs Training Course. Summary of the affiliate auditor program can be found here (PDF).

The Internet provides an ideal means for introducing individuals with a common interest and for facilitating the exchange of information between these parties. PrimusLabs has designed an Internet site that introduces buyers to regionally based auditors. Many of these auditors have developed a special understanding of the unique strengths and weaknesses of their particular growing regions.

Buyers have a need to convey to their suppliers certain standards and guidelines. Furthermore, the buyers have a need for a feedback system that assures that their suppliers are implementing the proper practices.

To assist all interested parties, PrimusLabs has made its safe production document development program and auditing available. Once admitted to the program as an auditor, the auditors webpage links to other supporting documentation.

This program has been developed to address the cost inefficiencies of ideal or near ideal surveillance systems. Ideal surveillance being defined as a receiver's own employees conducting the audit, near ideal surveillance being an audit conducted by a "known entity", such as PrimusLabs, CMi, AIB, etc.

These cost inefficiencies have created a window of opportunity for regionally based auditors. Through PrimusLabs' Internet system, you now have an opportunity to become a "Third Party Auditor" using templates that have been specifically designed for produce industry (processing audit can be used in many other parts of the food industry as well).

If you decide to become a subcontractor for PrimusLabs your performance will be under constant and increasing scrutiny. Reviews will include traditional auditing of the auditors and audit report reviews. PrimusLabs' objective is to assure even the most discriminating quality assurance and legal departments that an accurate audit did take place and that the results are made available in a timely manner to the proper parties.

If you choose to apply for acceptance into our system, your comments, suggestions and questions regarding how the system might be improved are always welcome. PrimusLabs is continually seeking to streamline the processes and make them more relevant to users of the food safety system.

A third party auditor is defined as an agent of the person or organization for whom the audit is conducted, and is not an employee, agent, partner, or joint venturer with PrimusLabs. The relationship between PrimusLabs and the affiliated/subcontractor third party auditor is simply that of customer and supplier.


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Affiliated & Subcontracted Auditing

II. Becoming an Approved Affiliated Auditor

In order to become an approved affiliate auditor (independent contractor), a candidate must:

Review and understand all sections in How to Become an Auditor.
Auditors are expected to be well versed in food safety topics and other relevant areas in order to be able to carry out PrimusLabs audits. Click here for a listing of some useful information sources; these links are not exhaustive, they show some examples of materials that the candidate auditor should be aware of (any link to a company website does not imply any kind of endorsement of the products or services involved).
Register, complete and pass the appropriate (field or facility) affiliated auditor online exams .In order to pass the exams, the auditor must be well versed in Good Agricultural Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices and HACCP. The USDA, FDA and many other websites have documentation that allows one to self study these topics.
Meet or exceed minimum qualifications and other requirements.
Submit resumes using PrimusLabs online format (DOC).
Submit certificates that support resume e.g. degree, HACCP and other educational and training certificates.
Telephone interview with PrimusLabs determines potential affiliates interest and aptitude in chosen area.
For those candidates wishing to become PrimusLabs Subcontractors, a PrimusLabs training course must be attended (the exam can be taken after the course, if this has not already been completed).
Shadow training and assessing auditing (auditing the auditor) will be conducted.
Auditor trainees who meet the necessary requirements are approved. Approved Affiliated Auditors are listed at Find an Auditor.
Allow periodic witnessed audits as part of the QA System.
Third Party Affiliate and Subcontractor Auditors cannot be employed as staff member in a food producing company since this is often a conflict of interest. Successful candidates will receive further information on conflicts of interest after registering on the database.

As part of PrimusLabs' commitment to enhancing your efforts to the widest audience possible, PrimusLabs has designed a series of programming links that will allow incorporation of location, time and visual imagery into your audit reports. Data generated by GPS, digital cameras and other devices submitted under a standardized format will be included as part of the overall quality assurance efforts.

As mentioned in criteria 5 (listed above), auditors will be required to submit their biographies to PrimusLabs and authorize PrimusLabs to post their biographies within its Internet site. PrimusLabs will make these biographies available to interested parties (i.e. growers, shippers, retailers, food service firms, etc.). Each auditor is encouraged to submit updates to their biographies demonstrating their commitment to maintaining their technical competency. Biographies must be supported by certificates e.g. HACCP, Degree Certificates etc.

Applicants failing to demonstrate sustained competence or adherence to PrimusLabs' expectations will be notified of deficiencies. If corrective measures are not observed, auditors will be removed from the approved list. PrimusLabs reserves the right to remove any affiliate and/or subcontractor from the auditor listing (with remuneration for part of annual fee charged for resume display on the website).

Affiliated & Subcontracted Auditing

IV. Data Storage, Display and Transfer

Though business to consumer e-commerce models get the majority of press, the business to business models represents a large percentage of total e-commerce traffic. PrimusLabs has developed a series of interrelated business to business programs that assist growers, shippers, brokers, etc. in getting the maximum return for their investment in safe production practices.

PrimusLabs Internet based programs have the capability to store, analyze, display and deliver information (e.g. audit results, microbiological, chemical etc.) designed to optimize their usefulness to buyers and suppliers. These programs not only provide timely delivery of information, but also analyze and display the information in formats customized for various buyers and suppliers.

Data destinations within PrimusLabs' Internet site are normally reserved for buyers and suppliers of various foods. At the request of a given supplier, data generated from that suppliers various vendors (could growers, packers etc.) are archived under pre-arranged formats within their nested site. When directed by a supplier, PrimusLabs will transfer data to specified buyers' nested web sites under formats defined by that buyer. PrimusLabs bills for the development and maintenance of the sites as well as for data transfers.

Audits or the auditor's client (e.g. grower, shipper, broker, etc.) can request that the data submitted be transferred to a specified buyer's or supplier's nested website. Individual data points will remain resident in the PrimusLabs database but will not be compiled into report format or displayed except as requested under a transfer agreement to a specified website. If archiving is desired, a charge based on the current pricing schedule will be applied.

In the case of a website developed for the use of the auditor, all connected, relevant data will be displayed in PrimusLabs' current format. Contents will include the auditor's biography and a display of, or link to a display of, all audits submitted. A two-tier Internet (public domain)/Intranet ("proprietary domain") is available.

By applying to become part of the PrimusLabs system, the third party auditor is authorizing PrimusLabs to develop an electronic storage site(s) for results of audits, testing, etc., done on behalf of a client. As noted in the preceding paragraph, this site(s) is not a display site and data is not accessible unless transferred (upon authorization of the supplier) to a participating supplier or buyer's site. The auditor automatically agrees to authorize PrimusLabs to transfer the data as directed by the supplier (i.e. the auditor's client).

When conducting an Independently Contracted Audit, the auditor"s data submission to the PrimusLabs website and request to transfer data shall constitute a representation and warranty from the auditor that he has all necessary authorization and power from the grower/shipper of the audited location and/or product, to submit the data to the PrimusLabs website pursuant to PrimusLabs' standard terms and conditions (including data ownership and use), and to transfer the same to the parties requested. The auditor shall indemnify and hold PrimusLabs free and harmless from any loss or liability associated with the receipt, storage or transmission of data from an Independently Contracted Audit.

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Qualifications

In order to assure the auditor’s qualifications to perform the PrimusLabs auditing function and post results to the PrimusLabs website, the following requirements and ongoing procedures should be followed:

Acceptance of the completed Audit Contract between PrimusLabs and the independent third party auditor.
Minimum Bachelor’s degree (Food Science, Agriculture, Microbiology or related fields preferred) or extensive applied experience in an appropriate field (e.g. Food Science, Agriculture, etc.).
Evidence of post degree and "on the job" training. Certificates showing Food Safety (GMP's & GAP's) training is mandated, as is proof of HACCP training if audits including HACCP are to be carried out.
Knowledge and training with respect to allergens, recall systems, pesticide management, pest control, sanitation systems, GMP's (including as noted in 21 CFR Part 110) microbiology and auditing are desirable. Auditors with the Lead Assessor qualification might be offered specialist subcontract audit work.
Auditor must be familiar with all applicable federal, state and local regulations regarding food safety.
Demonstrated competency in auditing of fields or facilities.
Auditors resume or biography reviewed and approved by PrimusLabs and then allowed to be posted on the PrimusLabs website ($100.00 per annum charge).
Computer literacy (internet applications, Excel, Word, etc.)
Strong observational, listening, reporting and organizational skills. Naturally curious and tenacious.
Excellent to superior verbal communication and writing skills. Attention to detail is extremely important.
Excellent to superior interpersonal skills required. Ability to handle confrontational situations a must requirement.
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Conduct audits and create audit reports with integrity, honesty and confidentiality. Auditors must be able to remain non-judgmental. The auditor must create an audit report that is a true and fair view of the operation audited relative to the compliance criteria. PrimusLabs has a list of auditor conventions for work that is subcontracted.
Demonstrate commitment to on-going education.