COVID-19: A STATEMENT FROM GROWN IN BRITAIN

First and foremost, Grown in Britain would like to reassure its customers and colleagues that during the latest Covid-19 restrictions, the safeguarding of your health and wellbeing, and that of our staff and supply chain, is our top priority. 

In accordance with government guidelines, we are taking all necessary measures required to help slow the spread of the virus, and have implemented a number of practices enabling us to carry out our certification and auditing processes, with some degree of normality.

During the restrictions, physical site visits will not be carried out. Instead, we are offering remote audits, the first of which was carried out recently and proved highly successful. On another positive note, we will endeavor to learn from this how we might develop the potential of these technology systems in our auditing procedures moving forward.

These remote audits will be subject to a number of criteria. Full audit terms will be emailed to all Grown in Britain customers shortly; in the meantime, the main points are as follows:

• The site to be audited will require suitable internet speed and availability.
• Site walks will be carried out using a video platform such as Facetime, Messenger, WhatsApp, Zoom or similar. FreeConference also offers a phone app allowing multiple users at one time.  
• The audit paperwork will also be completed using one of the above-mentioned video sharing platforms – GotoWebinar also allows screen sharing so that our auditors can see your paperwork.
• These sharing tools will be used as the first resort. If the internet connection fails, we may ask for paperwork or video evidence or to be emailed.
• The above process will only go ahead if both you and our auditor are comfortable for it to do so.

If you are an existing certificate holder:

• We will ask you to sign an agreement stating that should any major non-conformances be highlighted in your renewal application, you are happy for the auditor to conduct an onsite audit of both major and minor non-conformances, when restrictions are lifted. 
• During this audit, 10% of conformances will also be checked. Consequently, if any are found to be non-conformances, a full site audit will be carried out.  
• This date must be set for July onwards in order for an interim certificate to be awarded. 
• If further Covid-19 restrictions are imposed, the possibility of conducting this follow up onsite audit remotely will be explored between you and Grown in Britain.

If you are applying for certification for the first time:

• We will ask you to sign an agreement stating that once the restrictions are lifted, you are happy for the auditor to conduct an onsite audit.
• The onsite audit will assess non-conformances and test if conformances are correct.
• 10% of conformances will also be checked on site. Consequently, if any are found to be non-conformances, a full onsite audit will be conducted. 
• The audit date must be set for July onwards in order for an interim certificate to be awarded. 
• If further Covid-19 restrictions are imposed, there will be a rolling 3-month extension to a maximum of 12 months.

It’s important for both new and existing certificate holders to note, that Grown in Britain will not award any interim certificates unless our auditors are completely satisfied that all requirements have been met.

Members of the Grown in Britain team are currently working from home and we are doing all we can to maintain ‘business as usual’ wherever possible. I would ask that you exercise patience and courtesy as we all work together through these uncertain times – should you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to call us on 075841 69094.

Thank you for your continued support.

Dougal Driver
CEO