ARC Branch Issues Document Revisions

ARC Branch Issues Document Revisions

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Audit, Review and Compliance (ARC) Branch has revised the following documents:

ARC 1000 Procedure, Quality Systems Verification Programs, General Policies and Procedures - PDF. The revised document applies to all clients requesting audit and accreditation services from the ARC Branch. For the most part, these changes further define "Program Suspension" and "Program Withdrawal" and improve consistency between International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and ARC Branch terminology. Changes are identified within the document, which became effective Monday, April 13. (Alternative link: ARC 1000 Procedure)

ARC 1012 Procedure, USDA ISO Guide 65 Program, Accreditation for Certification Bodies - PDF. The revised document applies to clients requesting services under the USDA ISO Guide 65 Program. The changes include how companies are listed on the Official Listing and  the definition of what must be submitted by the certification body prior to surveillance assessments and reassessments as well as when submitting expansion of scope requests. These changes were necessary to meet the requirements of the ISO 17011 Standard. This document also became effective Monday, April 13. (Alternative link: ARC 1012 Procedure)

If you have questions regarding changes to these documents, please contact the ARC Branch.

ARC Branch Issues Document Revisions

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Audit, Review and Compliance (ARC) Branch has revised the following documents:

ARC 1000 Procedure, Quality Systems Verification Programs, General Policies and Procedures - PDF. The revised document applies to all clients requesting audit and accreditation services from the ARC Branch. For the most part, these changes further define "Program Suspension" and "Program Withdrawal" and improve consistency between International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and ARC Branch terminology. Changes are identified within the document, which became effective Monday, April 13. (Alternative link: ARC 1000 Procedure)

ARC 1012 Procedure, USDA ISO Guide 65 Program, Accreditation for Certification Bodies - PDF. The revised document applies to clients requesting services under the USDA ISO Guide 65 Program. The changes include how companies are listed on the Official Listing and  the definition of what must be submitted by the certification body prior to surveillance assessments and reassessments as well as when submitting expansion of scope requests. These changes were necessary to meet the requirements of the ISO 17011 Standard. This document also became effective Monday, April 13. (Alternative link: ARC 1012 Procedure)

If you have questions regarding changes to these documents, please contact the ARC Branch.