qual qual ∙ i ∙ ty ty ˈ kw kwäl äl ə d ē : Wh What at Does Does it it Me Mean to to the the EPIA EPIA Pr Producer Member Member by Stan Williams, EPIA Managing Director 1
What exactly do we as the EPIA mean by quality? • qual ∙ i ∙ ty ˈ kwäl ə d ē / noun : “ The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something.” • OK, so is it a comparative analysis of like products? What if the like product is the result of sloppy and inferior production practices? • Does that mean anything better is a quality product? • Is it a degree of excellence? If so, what degree 1% or 100% of the ideal? • What is the ideal? For that matter what is excellence? • Excellence [ek ‐ s uh ‐ l uh ns] noun “ The fact of state of superiority ”. • Superior to what as a measurement standard? • Again, a comparison to what characteristics? Is Quality a comparative degree of Excellence? 2
These questions are very subjective and beg for an objective definition • What constitutes the level of the product attributes needed to meet the ideal for product specifications needed to meet a level of acceptability? • Is acceptability the ideal, or should there be a “Gold Standard” to compare our product to in order to determine a level of quality that more than meets an acceptable level of product specifications • And to serve as an industry measure against which to judge other similar products? The industry measure is the “Gold Standard” 3
Let’s not attempt to reinvent the wheel • The International Organization for Standardization (IOS) , is a voluntary, non ‐ treaty federation of standards setting bodies of some 130 countries, including all EU countries. • Founded in 1946 ‐ 47 in Geneva as a United Nations agency. • The IOS promotes development of standardization and related activities to facilitate international trade in goods and services. The framework for a “ Gold Standard ” is in place 4
The IOS has done much of work the for us • ISO 9000 Series Definition: “ Family of related, auditable, international standards and supplementary guidelines on quality management and quality assurance. • First published in 1987 (and continually updated) by the ISO, these standards are not specific to any industry or product any industry or product recognized. • Although called 'voluntary,' they are almost mandatory for practically all manufacturers and service providers selling to multinationals and large or governmental organizations.” • ISO promotes a “process approach” to attaining acceptable standards. • ISO 9001 pertains to this process approach for attaining a “quality” product. • ISO goes on to state: “The systematic definition and management of processes, and their interactions, so as to achieve the intended results in accordance with the quality policy and strategic direction of the organization. ” Systematic process approach leading to an objective definition of Quality 5
Now we have a definitive direction to follow • What is the EPIA imposed policy on quality and do all our producers have the same strategic plan for attaining the level of quality we advertise that the EPIA promotes? • The answer is both yes and no . • Yes , the EPIA imposed policy is HACCP compliance and the EPIA has a strategic plan for attaining the level of quality we hope to be accepted as the “Gold Standard” defined as the best, most reliable, or most prestigious thing of its type. • No , we still have some members that do not seem to have a workable strategic plan to reach the level of quality we demand. EPIA imposed policy is HACCP compliance 6
Compliance Required for EPIA Membership • Every member of the EPIA as of 31 December 2016 will be practicing HACCP policies and practices to provide a product that meets or succeeds any other packaged ice produced in Europe. • We can definitively say this because as of that date EPIA membership will be suspended for those companies who are not HACCP certified. • If the EPIA tagline “ Ice You Can Trust ” is to mean anything, we must be able to prove it every day with the high quality packaged ice available to our member’s customers from each and every EPIA producer member. The EPIA brand on the bag means “ Ice You Can Trust ” 7
High level overview of HACCP compliance summarized into three major areas • Personnel • Follow good manufacturing practices to establish quality control standards for your product. • Train yourselves and your personnel on these practices and standards • Production Facilities • Follow good manufacturing practices to establish quality control standards for facilities management. • Sanitary Operations • Follow good manufacturing practices to establish quality control standards for your operational activities. • Establish and follow pest control procedures • Store and maintain raw materials and supplies within sanitary guidelines • Establish and follow master cleaning and sanitizing plans Do you recognize the underlying requirement? 8
Eur EuroPIQCS PIQCS Guidelines Guidelines Manual nual explaining the standards prescribed for HACCP HACCP certific certification ion • Phase 1: Attest to reading the EuroPIQCS guidelines distributed to all members and preparing their company for compliance. All producer members will provide an approved HACCP Plan. • Phase 2: Attest to an approved third party audited self ‐ evaluation as conforming to all of the 13 major European HACCP standards as well as attaining Phase 1. Third party auditors for this phase may be other EPIA members that are acceptable to the EPIA Directors or Standards Committee Chairman. • Phase 3: Attest to a critical self ‐ evaluation as conforming to at least 80% (26 of the 32) major PIQCS audit items as well as attaining Phase 1 and 2. Phase 2 is the minimum level to remain as an EPIA Producer member 9
Eur EuroPIQCS PIQCS Guidelines Guidelines Manual nual explaining the standards prescribed for HACCP HACCP certific certification ion (c (con’t) on’t) • Phase 4: Attest to a critical self ‐ evaluation as conforming to all major and minor audit items with no more than 10 discrepancies (2 of which can be major items) and the 15 European HACCP standards. • Phase 5: Successfully complete an independent third party audit for all EuroPIQCS audit items and all European HACCP standards with allowable discrepancies that have been or in the process of being corrected. It is up to each of each of us to make the EPIA the “ Gold Standard ” for Packaged Ice in Europe and promote “Ice You Can Trust” as a recognized tag line in the industry. 10
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