ANSI also supports safety efforts through its role as an internationally recognized accreditation body that assess the competencies of certification bodies of product/process/services that certify the conformance of food and food-related products/process in accordance with certification programs. The ANSI accreditation process is in accordance with the international standard ISO/IEC Guide 65,
General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems (new
ISO/IEC 17065). ANSI accreditation offers a formal, third-party process that reviews the competence of the certification body to implement certification programs on bottled water and packaged ice, drinking water additives, drinking water treatment units, and food service equipment. ANSI also provides accreditation services for specific food-related sector programs such as SQF, BRC, GLOBALG.A.P, PrimusGFS, CanadaGAP, IFS, and the Global Aquaculture Alliance.
In addition, laws have been passed in Arizona, California, and Illinois requiring training providers issuing personnel certificates to food safety handlers to be accredited under the ANSI Certificate Accreditation Program (ANSI-CAP). This oversight is intended to improve public health and strengthen food safety measures in both states. ANSI-CAP accredits organizations that issue education and training certificates to the workforce, and was the first program of its kind to offer a formal, third-party process for review and recognition of quality certificate programs. For more information on ANSI's accreditation services, visit www.ansi.org/accreditation.
Whether you're sharpening knives in your kitchen at home or strolling down an office hallway, voluntary standards and conformance programs help keep you safe.
For more information about National Safety Month 2014, visit its official website.
