Abstract
This report compares and contrasts the EFSIS (European Food Safety Inspection Service) standard and the ISO 9000 system in the PPCS Quality Management System. The relevant literature was examined and compared to ISO 9000 and the EFSIS standard.
There were four main research objectives for this study. The first was to describe and analyse the PPCS Quality Management System. The second objective was to compare PPCS ISO 9000 system to the EFSIS standard. Thirdly any anomalies between ISO 9000 and the EFSIS standard at PPCS will be identified. Lastly, the advantages and disadvantages of ISO 9000 and the EFSIS standard will be identified. This study is theory generating, as there is no literature comparing the EFSIS standard and the ISO 9000 system or on the EFSIS standard in general.
The study found that the main problem associated with implementing the EFSIS standard was the different interpretations of the standard, between the EFSIS auditors and PPCS. Other problems included the costs and time involved in bringing the auditors out from the United Kingdom and the standard leading to a sterile and mechanistic procedure.
The study found that the main difference in the implementation of the EFSIS standard and ISO 9000 were the costs. The EFSIS standard had to be implemented into all the plants. Whilst, the costs associated with the ISO 9000 system were minimal due to only one plant being certified. The Quality Management System incorporates several standards and systems, which may cause confusion and some problems.
The involvement from top management and the C.E.O is considered to be limited, which may have caused some problems. The technical manager was instrumental in the success implementation of the ISO 9000 system and the EFSIS standard. The study found that there is a lack of communication between the head office, containing the C.E.O, the marketing department and the technical department, which controls the Quality Management System.