MultiTrace User Guidance for CB: Non Conformities (NC)

MultiTrace User Guidance for CB

Welcome to the e-page MultiTrace User Guidance - for Certification Bodies.

On this e-page you will find guidance on how to use MultiTrace, the new traceability system of the Rainforest Alliance (UTZ Certified).

Currently, MultiTrace is only being used in the Coffee and Hazelnut program by both members and certification bodies.

Licenses for the Coffee and Hazelnut program are requested through MultiTrace.

Prior to performing the license request, the audit needs to be scheduled in MultiTrace. Please make sure to get the role approvals (auditor, certifier, scope and commodities) before starting the audit process.

Instructions using the functionalities in MultiTrace are shown in guidance recordings.

Please use the table of contents on the right side to navigate through the manual.

You can also print and share this e-page with your colleagues by clicking on 'Print book' under the section Administration on the right side.

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5. Audit findings

5.4. Non Conformities (NC)

What to do in case of Non-Conformities found during the audit?

In case of non-conformities, the CB and member have a maximum of 12 weeks to close all NCs found during the audit. Once NCs are closed, the CB must submit the license request within 5 weeks. Standards & Assurance (S&A) will review the license request, this could take up to a week. In case some information is missing, or not clear, S&A will reject the license request and will ask for additional clarification to the CB, this could extend the license review process. When all the information is clear and complete in the license request, S&A will grant the license to the member. Only then can the CB send the certificate to the member.

What to do in case no Non-Conformities are found?

The CB must submit the license request within 5 weeks after the audit has taken place. S&A will review the license request, this could take up to a week. In case some information is missing, or not clear, S&A will reject the license request and will ask for additional clarification to the CB, this could extend the license review process. When all the information is clear and complete in the license request, S&A will grant the license to the member. Only then can the CB send the certificate to the member.

If there are NCs: fill in the required columns in the audit findings template (root cause, corrective action, actual date of closure) if the NC's are closed, and upload this version of the template when performing the license request (see chapter 6).

If there are no NCs: request a license within 5 weeks after the audit (see chapter 6).

Please see chapter 5.1 "Checklists for audit findings" to see how to use the templates reporting the audit findings and watch the instruction video Audit Findings in chapter 1. Introduction - Quick Start.