The FSA’s "Remote Official Controls": Is your paperwork ready for a webcam?

[Tom]

The FSA is increasingly moving toward a 'Digital-First' enforcement model, including remote doc reviews and video inspections. For many of us, this means the old 'folder on the shelf' approach won't cut it anymore.

A question for the Technical Managers: Have you successfully transitioned to a fully digital Due Diligence trail? and, if you’ve undergone a remote audit, what was the biggest hurdle? Was it technology (connectivity in the factory), or simply how the data was formatted?

 

[Cathy Gladwin]

@Tom this is a really good question for all types of remote audits. I've done a bunch of remote audits (BRCGS certification audits during covid) and a few less formal audits as a consultant since then using a combination of Zoom and whatsapp video and the biggest issue is not being able to spot the detail clearly in the factory audit. You really just can't see clearly (aside from the fact that I get motion sickness if the camera moves too fast. Wifi / data connectivity in the production area is the other issue and commonly as a heads up, I ask in advance that they record when connection is lost so I can catch up when back in the office. You know, it's not ideal - but far better than no audit at all.