Chocolats Valrhona - Quality Approach
A Quest for Absolute Quality
A Quest for Absolute Quality
ISO 22000 A Food Safety Management System
ISO 22000 A Food Safety Management System
OHSAS 18001: participative occupational health and safety management
OHSAS 18001: participative occupational health and safety management
ISO 14001: Environmental management system
ISO 14001: Environmental management system
Quality Award
Quality Award
A Quest for Absolute QualityValrhona has improved its quality process to fully and meticulously integrate all levels of the ISO 22000 standard, which it obtained in 2006. From the basic controls to the latest requirements, Valrhona steadfastly applies the standard throughout the company, from its cocoa plantations to its finished creations; constantly focusing on its desire to harmoniously enhance its authentic chocolate with unique, exceptional flavours. By perpetually promoting, enhancing its unique expertise, Valrhona’s quest for excellence has become one of its essential performance criteria for its strategic objective: to be the Grand Chocolat reference for professionals, connoisseurs and chocolate lovers throughout the world.Its total productive management, aiming for absolute quality, initiates actions organized around fundamental risk prevention and control commitments :-For its customers: respecting food safety, research and innovation, customer satisfaction surveys.-For its associates: establishing a voluntary commitment to protecting health and safety in the company; -For the environment: respecting the quantified regulations and commitments for conserving natural resources.ISO 22000 A Food Safety Management SystemValrhona continually aims to ensure it offers its customers products that present all expected food safety guarantees. This key aim involves all our associates, from those who identify and control critical points (from delivery of primary material to the end products themselves), to those who set out to define best practices to be adopted (hygiene, manufacturing, storage, maintenance). An approach that was validated in 2006, based on the ISO 22000 international standard.From analytic expertise to ensuring traceability, Valrhona has implemented numerous methods and standards to justify the confidence of its customers : - analysing risks in the company (based on the HACCP method), -monitoring primary material and end products based on a predefined control framework (chemistry, microbiology, contaminants); - ensuring quality insurance with suppliers; - continual checking for the appearance of new risks ;- internal network for preventing and managing emergency situations ; - ensuring primary material and product quality corroborated by analyses carried out by accredited laboratories ; - integrated production control, -sensorial expertise and analysis, etcResults: 38% reduction in customer claims in one year.OHSAS 18001: participative occupational health and safety managementIn 2004, Valrhona initiated a mutual occupational health and safety project based on 3 main factors : -work environment: adapted machinery and premises- working conditions: reducing noise and hardness of work- staff behaviour: training, knowledge and respect for safety rules.This fundamental and ambitious challenge was drawn up in mutual agreement with all associates; from assessing risks to specifying solutions, which were then implemented using specific financing and an extensive training programme. The effectiveness of this continual improvement process was immediately seen through the considerable reduction in work-related accidents. Receiving the internationally renowned OHSAS certification magnificently highlights the efforts made by all members of staff.Results: To date: - 77% of work-related accidents in 2 years.ISO 14001: Environmental management system.Valrhona’s environmental issues integrate the same participative approach, which proved to be a success in occupational health and safety management. As such, the company is fully committed to assessing environmental risks and implementing the appropriate environmental-friendly measures. Valrhona’s committed efforts and objectives, confirmed in 2005 by the ISO 140001 certification, have not only encouraged company development, but have also led the company to promote French business and products worldwide.Objectives : -reduce water and energy consumption-cut down waste production and increase their upgrade percentages-minimize accidental pollution risks-privilege the harmonious integration of production sites into the human environment(eliminating noise and smell pollution)Results : - 8% less water consumed in 2 years, - 10% less waste in 2 years.Quality AwardOn 6th December 2004, Valrhona received the French Award for Quality from the Chief of Staff of Mr. Devedjian, the French Ministry of Industry.This prize has been awarded each year, for the last 12 years, to companies who have implemented exemplary quality approaches and continual improvement processes. In 2004, over 50 companies, from all sectors of business, were in competition. This award constitutes national recognition for efforts initiated in quality management throughout the company (production, customer relations, innovation, etc.)By distinguishing Valrhona, the French Movement for Quality (Mouvement Français pour la Qualité - MFQ) chose to “highlight and promote a human-scale, dynamic, innovative and internationally-oriented company”