EQIPT Course
EQIPT Auditors Course for the BRC/IOP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials and other Packaging Standards
The Evaluators Qualification in Packaging Technology (EQIPT) was originally developed in 2001 to meet the needs of auditors who did not have a primary packaging qualification but who wished to audit companies for the BRC/IOP’s standard for food packaging materials. The standard is now in its fourth edition and includes packaging for other products as well as food and drink.
There are also a series of other packaging standards that have been developed as alternatives to the BRC/IOP for example FSSC 22000. All these require that auditors have adequate packaging knowledge to be able to audit effectively and EQIPT can also be used for these additional standards. See Appendix 1.
EQIPT has been submitted to the World Packaging Organisation for recognition as appropriate for packaging auditors.
The EQIPT course is designed to provide auditors, who do not hold a recognised primary packaging qualification for example the PIABC Diploma in Packaging Technology with sufficient knowledge of packaging and related processes, to enable them to apply the appropriate rigour to the packaging-manufacturing environment whilst performing an audit.
This is the latest revision of the course developed by The IOM3 Training Academy and endorsed by the The Packaging Society (see http://www.iom3.org/content/eqipt . The qualification is quality assured by PIABC www.piabc.org.uk which is recognised as an awarding body in the UK by the UK Government’s Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL).
The course is taught as a three-day core, with assessment by a written examination, followed by optional units delivered on-line and based on various packaging sectors: paper and board, plastics, metals and glass. Auditors wishing to work in one or more of these areas need to study the appropriate units, which are assessed by written assignment.
Course duration:
Three days at a Packaging Society location. The exam can be taken at The Boilerhouse, Grantham or at various locations overseas.
Who should attend?
Individuals who wish to audit against the BRC/IOP Packaging Standard and other packaging standards and who do not currently hold the PIABC Diploma in Packaging Technology or other approved qualification. NB: Auditors also require qualifications in food technology/ environmental health/hygiene and quality assessment (Lead Assessor).
This activity is approved for Professional Development by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.
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