Annual report - Viscofan

applied throughout the production process andinvolving stringent working practices that areaudited both internally and externally.These protocols configuring our product safety andquality system are based on the following coreprinciples:Hazard analysis and critical control pointViscofan has a hazard analysis and critical controlpoint (HACCP) system in place at all its facilities.The Company has formed an inter-disciplinary teamthat assesses every step of the production processto detect possible hazards, identify critical controlpoints, implement suitable controls and take anyrequired corrective action. The system is updatedannually in line with any changes in the productionprocess.Product safety and food hygieneViscofan’s product safety and food hygiene systemcovers all aspects. Manufacturing facilities are builtto food safety specifications; employees are trainedin food hygiene and product safety; raw materialsare tested for compliance with specificationpreviously agreed with certified suppliers; systemsare in place to detect defective materials in theproduction system; pest control is implemented;and policies are in place to monitor hazardoussubstances, personal hygiene and visitors.Product traceability and identificationViscofan operates a product traceability system thatenables us to identify at any time and in full detailthe history of every unit sold and even sub-units,from receipt of raw materials to product use by ourcustomer. Viscofan fully implements a foodtraceability system under European CommunityDirective 178/2002 and its related legislation.To ensure that our product safety and food hygienesystems comply with requirements, our productionprocesses are audited internally on a regular basis;they are also audited by outside inspectors to themost stringent standards on the market, laid downby the British Retail Consortium (BRC Standards).In 2006, Viscofan renewed its quality certification inSpain under quality management standard ISO9001:2000 for the third time at its Cáseda plant; thecertifier was AENOR, the Spanish association ofstandardisation and certification. The sites in theCzech Republic, Germany and Brazil renewed theircertifications to that same standard. In 2006 theSerbian plant obtained the certificates required tocomply with the veterinary and health regulationsgoverning the export of food casings made fromanimal raw materials, and continues to worktowards obtaining the ISO 9001:2000 qualitycertificate in the near future.31