Find out how to create a risk management programme (RMP) and get it validated, evaluated, verified, and registered.
Each of the steps provides an overview and instructions and will refer you to sections of the RMP manual for more detailed information.
Risk management programme manual for animal product processing [PDF, 2.1 MB]
There are 3 main ways to create your RMP:
This is the easiest way to set up an RMP. Templates for specific activities are on the RMP resources page.
Resources for developing your risk management programme
Basing your RMP on an approved code of practice or template will:
We recommend using a template if one is available for your activity and it suits your needs. Even if you base your RMP on a template or code of practice, you should still use the RMP manual to ensure your RMP is complete.
You can write your own custom RMP. For instructions, refer to the RMP manual.
If you have a food control plan (FCP), you can use it as the basis for an RMP. You can use the same risk factors that your FCP contains.
To convert the FCP to an RMP, you need to identify the:
You’ll need to get your RMP evaluated by a recognised evaluator.
Get your RMP evaluated (Step 3)
What your RMP applies to is known as the "scope" of your RMP – what it does and does not include. Your RMP can apply to one or many products, processes, premises, or businesses.
When you're thinking about how you will set up your RMP, make sure you take into account the physical and operational aspects of your business. For example, if you operate a mobile business, or are a transport operator who uses vehicles in their RMP.
Your RMP must include a description of the:
In your RMP, you must document:
In the RMP manual, section 4 (RMP development) has details of what should be included in your RMP, as appropriate to your products and operation. These include:
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) is an internationally recognised system used to identify, analyse, and control hazards.
This helps to ensure the food you produce is safe to eat. You must apply HACCP principles when you make your food.
Find out about using HACCP in your business
"Operator verification" refers to ongoing checks that you do as an RMP operator. You need to include how you will do operator verification in your RMP. These checks confirm that your RMP:
Operator verification activities include:
Note that operator verification is different to "verifying your RMP" (which is covered in Step 5: Verifying your RMP).
Guidance document: Operator verification [PDF, 873 KB]
You can structure your RMP(s) in different ways. For example, you can:
Whatever you choose, you must ensure that your RMPs cover every aspect of the product, process, premises, or business that the RMP applies to.
Section 2.4: RMP configurations in the RMP manual has more information.
RMP businesses have the option to use their RMPs to manage the food safety of non-animal food products. This option would apply most to businesses that use similar processing methods (like transporting, canning, or cold storage) to manufacture animal product foods regulated under the Animal Products Act 1999 and non-animal product foods regulated under the Food Act 2014. The guidance document has more information.
Guidance document: Can I include non-animal product foods in a risk management programme [PDF, 267 KB]
You should also discuss this with your verifier to ensure you have the correct scope of your RMP.
You can use one RMP to cover both dairy processing and other animal product processing. It will need to meet the requirements for both areas. However, you may need to use separate evaluators and verifiers for each type of processing. Most verifiers and evaluators are recognised for either one or the other, so they may not be able to do both. This is likely to increase your costs.
Risk management programmes for farm dairies
Dairy risk management programme templates
You'll need a validator and verifier for Steps 3, 4, and 5 (validation, registration, and verification). To register your RMP, you will need a letter from a verification agency confirming they have agreed to regularly verify your RMP.
We suggest that you contact a validator and verifier early, in case there is a wait time. You can search for validators and verifiers on our public register, or see Step 3 (validation) or Step 5 (verification) for more information.
MPI public register of recognised persons, agencies, and laboratories
Once you've created a new RMP (or amended an existing one), you need to do a check to ensure that it has all the required information.
For a custom RMP, check to make sure that:
If you are using a template, code, or industry manual, check that you have:
Find out about amending an RMP and significant amendments
Validation is the process of collecting evidence that shows your RMP can consistently produce food that is safe and suitable and meets requirements.
It's particularly important to give evidence that your RMP is meeting:
To help write your validation report, you can use the resources, guidance, and other information found on our RMP resources page
You should also read our guidance document What is 'Validation'? [PDF, 249 KB]
If there's not enough evidence to prove that the RMP is effective before you submit your registration, you may need to develop a protocol for validation. This is a plan describing:
Section 5 (checks and validation) in the RMP manual has more about these protocols.
Risk management programme manual for animal product processing [PDF, 2.1 MB]
If you have registered your RMP without validating all of it, you must:
If you use one of these to create your RMP, you'll generally only need to show that you're consistently following the requirements in the template, code, or industry manual.
When you apply to register your RMP, you might need to provide MPI an independent evaluation report.
See Section 6 (evaluation) in the RMP manual and our guidance document for more information.
Risk management programme manual for animal product processing [PDF, 2.1 MB]
Guidance document: Evaluation manual for evaluating risk management programmes which do not cover dairy products [PDF, 732 KB]
You'll need to get your RMP evaluated if you:
You do not need to get your RMP evaluated if you used an MPI-approved RMP template. However, if you change any sections in that template, then these sections must be evaluated. This will ensure that the processes and activities are still suitable.
Talk to your contracted verifier about any changes you're making to an RMP template.
To choose an evaluator from MPI's recognised persons list:
MPI public register of recognised persons, agencies, and laboratories
If you want to narrow your search, you can try typing in a location. Try a town, city, or region.
Try to choose someone with experience in your type of operation. Some processes and activities (like dairy heat treatment and canning) require evaluators that are endorsed for that activity.
You can't use the same person to develop your RMP and evaluate your RMP, as this would be a conflict of interest.
You're responsible for any costs associated with an evaluation.
The evaluator will check that your RMP:
The evaluator will review:
In most cases, this will involve a visit to your site.
You'll need to fix any issues that the evaluator finds. The evaluator won't provide solutions to the issues. This is because they must be impartial and independent.
If the evaluator finds no issues with your RMP, they will:
The report will propose any conditions that MPI should apply when your RMP gets registered.
You need to include the report as part of your application to register your RMP with MPI.
The evaluation report is only valid for 6 months. You should apply to register your RMP as soon as possible after evaluation. You’ll need to get evaluated again if 6 months pass.
Your RMP must be registered with MPI before you start producing food for trade.
Complete application form AP4.
Application form AP4: Registration of risk management programme [PDF, 305 KB]
When you apply to register, you need to include:
Email your application to approvals@mpi.govt.nz
Or post to:
MPI Approvals
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.
We'll let you know the outcome. Our application process chart shows the review process and timeframes.
RMP application process – New or amended RMP [PDF, 221 KB]
For an RMP application to be considered at MPI's Monday pre-screen, it must be submitted by 10am on the previous Friday.
If you're registering an RMP that covers multiple businesses, the process is almost the same as for an RMP covering one business. If your RMP will cover multiple businesses, you must also provide MPI with written evidence that the RMP operator:
Sometimes, only parts of your RMP will be validated when you register. The other parts will be validated after registration. If this happens, you'll need to develop a plan before you register that shows how you'll ensure the rest gets validated.
See Section 6.4 (validation after registration) in the RMP manual for more information.
We can approve your application if you have a plan to complete the rest of the validation after registering. You must:
The evaluator will evaluate the validation report and any significant amendments you made. A significant amendment is a specific type of change that you make to your RMP.
Find out more about updating or changing an RMP
The recognised evaluator will prepare the final evaluation report when they're satisfied that validation is complete. Send this report to MPI, along with any endorsed RMP amendments.
Once your RMP is registered with MPI, you can start producing food for trade.
You need to make sure that:
Your verification agency will visit and verify your records regularly. This will confirm that your RMP is continuing to deliver product that is safe, suitable, and truthfully labelled.
After registering your RMP, you must get it checked regularly by an MPI-recognised verifier. This will ensure you're meeting legal requirements. How often your operation is verified depends on your level of compliance with:
If your operation complies with the RMP, you'll need verification less often. Visits are needed more often if your RMP isn't compliant, or if you export product.
Additional verification frequencies differ depending on what products you are making. Refer to the Operational Code: Verification [PDF, 508 KB]
To choose a verifier from MPI's recognised persons list:
MPI public register of recognised persons, agencies, and laboratories
The verification agency must confirm in writing that they will verify your RMP on an ongoing basis. Include their confirmation letter with your application.
Your first verification visit will usually happen within 1 to 6 months of registering your RMP. This will depend on the type of animal product you make or process.
You're responsible for:
The following documents prescribe the verification requirements in detail:
|
Document |
What it covers |
|---|---|
|
Operational Code: Verification [PDF, 508 KB] |
Non-dairy RMPs where the product doesn't require official assurances for export. |
|
DPC3: Animal Products (Dairy): Approved Criteria for the Manufacturing of Dairy Material and Product 2010 [PDF, 879 KB] |
Dairy RMPs where the product doesn't require official assurances for export. |
|
Animal Products Notice: Export Verification Requirements 2018 [PDF, 873 KB] Animal Products Export Verification Programme 2009 [PDF, 113 KB] |
RMPs for animal products that require official assurances for export (including dairy products). |
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