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TAPA STANDARDS STANDARDS FAQs #37 A monthly update by TAPA EMEA's Standards Lead, Mark Mark Gruentjes Steve McHugh


Gruentjes, and Executive Director Standards, Steve McHugh After receiving a steady stream of questions about TAPA’s Security Standards from Audit Bodies and our members, we feel it will be beneficial to share some of the questions received and the responses given by the TAPA EMEA Standards Team. We aim to cover 3-5 questions in Vigilant each month.


We are now into the third month of working with the updated 2020 versions of TAPA’s FSR and TSR Security Standards. We are pleased to report that we’re seeing tremendous interest in the new Standards, the associated training and new companies looking to obtain TAPA certification for the first time. That said, from a TAPA EMEA perspective, we do have some challenges, so this month’s article focusses on two very important topics:


1. COVID-19 impacts on the FSR/TSR certification process


2. Why training is needed before you seek FSR/TSR 2020 certification


If you would like to raise a new topic for discussion or ask questions about one of our published responses, please contact us using this link.


Question 2.


What if my certificate is due to expire and we cannot complete recertification before the expiry date?


Question 1.


What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the TAPA certification programme?


Answer: In the EMEA region, we estimate that about 75% of recertification audits have been delayed. Since lockdown restrictions have eased in some countries, we are now seeing some delayed audits being completed but we anticipate many audits may be delayed by between 6-9 months. There are 2 main reasons that may prevent a recertification audit taking place before the expiry of the current certificate:


1. The Auditor cannot travel due to company safety policy and/or government-imposed restrictions


2. The Logistics Service Provider (LSP) has restrictions at the location to be audited that prevent an Auditor accessing the site


Question 3.


What advice has TAPA EMEA given to Independent Audit Bodies and members regarding locations that are to be certified for the first time?


Answer: Any locations that were scheduled for a certification audit for the first time but have, so far, been unable to complete the audit will obviously be required to reschedule this once travel and other restrictions are eased and Auditors are available. Given that the new TSR and FSR 2020 versions were introduced on 1 July, all first-time certifications must be completed using the latest revisions of the Standards.


Answer: Do not let your certificate expire! TAPA EMEA has given its approved Independent Audit Bodies (IABs) the authority to extend expiring certificates by up to 90 days. If more time is needed, IABs can apply to TAPA for further extensions. If you are self- certified, contact TAPA directly for a certificate extension.


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