Quality management

COMPANY POLICY

The business policy developed by the highest management of SUNOKO d.o.o. is the most important corporate document. It sets the mission and strategy involved in the operation, development, and improvement of the implemented management and food safety systems. It also serves as the foundation for setting goals related to quality, food safety, occupational health and safety, and environmental protection for the upcoming years. Our business policy is well-known and applied by all employees. By managing our daily operations in accordance with this policy, we fulfill the strategic goals of our organization—namely, the consistent production of high-quality sugar and meeting our customers’ expectations while ensuring the safety and health of employees as well as environmental protection.

The company’s management strategically guides its organization by defining internal (mission, vision, strategy, policy, general and specific goals) and external issues (competition, market stability, currency stability) necessary for successful operation in the business environment. These issues are continuously reviewed at management meetings and during annual reviews of the integrated management systems. The management has identified all significant interested parties (both internal and external) and their requirements and expectations. External interested parties in the business environment include, among others, those who use the products and significantly influence the company’s operations, processes, and all implemented management systems.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS

Sunoko d.o.o. Novi Sad, with sugar factories in Pećinci and Vrbas, is the largest producer and seller of sugar in the Republic of Serbia, holding over 79% market share.

The priority of Sunoko d.o.o. is to ensure that our products are safe and of the highest quality. We achieve this goal through the implementation and certification of numerous standards related to food safety and animal feed, environmental protection, social and religious standards, as well as occupational health and safety standards.

We have adapted all our processes to meet the needs and key objectives of our organization, which is to provide top-quality and safe products that satisfy the requirements of all our customers.

In our sugar factories, production is organized in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and principles of hygiene and food safety.

To maintain all these standards at a high level at Sunoko d.o.o., full dedication of all employees is essential. That is why we work daily to ensure continuous development of our organization by fulfilling the requirements of all implemented standards. One of the key principles of our company is ongoing improvement through the continuous development of all employees.

Standards

Description

fssc 22000

The FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) standard is an international standard applied in food production to ensure food safety and protect human health. This standard covers all stages of food production, from raw materials to finished products, including transportation, storage, and distribution. FSSC 22000 was established in the Netherlands in 2009, in collaboration with relevant organizations such as ISO, GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative), and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points). It is designed to integrate the quality management system requirements in accordance with ISO 9001 with food safety management system requirements based on ISO 22000. Adherence to detailed requirements facilitates communication with the most demanding clients. Certification under this standard is intended for organizations that produce, process, or distribute food and where food safety and compliance with international standards are critical. An accredited certification body evaluates and verifies whether an organization meets all the requirements of the FSSC 22000 standard.

IFS

The International Food Standard (IFS) is a unified standard recognized by GFSI and developed for all food producers, primarily for retail chains and their brands. IFS was created by German retailers in 2002. Its main purpose is to verify the safety and quality of products and ensure compliance with relevant laws and standards. IFS introduces consistent requirements and transparency throughout the supply chain, from raw materials to the final product. Over time, it has become widely recognized, accepted, and even demanded by clients.

HALAL

From the perspective of Sharia (Islamic law), halal means “permissible.” It is opposed to haram, which means “forbidden.” The terms halal and haram are often used in relation to Muslim dietary laws. Forbidden food items include pork, meat from animals slaughtered outside Islamic guidelines, blood, and alcohol. In practice, a food product labeled as halal must meet all requirements outlined in the HALAL standard. Sugar produced in all our factories complies with halal requirements. The halal certificates have been issued by the Halal agency of the Islamic Community in Serbia.

Kosher

The word “kosher” (Hebrew: kashrut) refers to a set of dietary laws from Judaism. It can be translated as “fit” or “appropriate,” which is its meaning regarding food. A “kosher” product is suitable for consumption by observant Jews. Unlike other quality verification systems, there is no publicly available standard for kosher. The only guidelines are found in the Bible, but they are so general that they require rabbinic interpretation. Orthodox Jews adhere to kosher principles. Recognizing the demand for kosher sugar, we decided to start producing kosher-certified sugar in response to many customer expectations. The sugar produced by our factories has received a Kosher certificate issued by the Rabbi of the Jewish Community in Serbia.

GMP+

The GMP+ certification scheme is an international system ensuring animal feed safety. GMP is an abbreviation for Good Manufacturing Practices. GMP+ applies to every individual step in the supply chain: breeding, production of compounds, animal feed, additives and premixes, as well as sale, storage, and transportation. In our company, the GMP+ certificate covers pelleted sugar beet pulp used as animal feed. Our two production facilities, Vrbas and Pećinci, possess GMP+ certificates titled “Production of pelleted sugar beet pulp,” while the headquarters in Novi Sad holds a GMP+ certificate for “Trade of pelleted sugar beet pulp.”

ISO 14001:2015

ISO 14001:2015 is an international standard for implementing an effective environmental management system (EMS). The adoption of this system not only establishes requirements for environmental performance but also provides a framework for organizations to positively influence environmental conservation efforts. ISO 14001:2015 is used by any organization seeking to establish, maintain, or improve its corporate environmental protection system to align with its environmental policy and the standard’s requirements. The benefits of an EMS include resource efficiency improvements, waste reduction, gaining competitive advantage in the supply chain, compliance with legal obligations, better overall environmental impact management, and easier handling of ecological responsibilities.

ISO 45001:2018

ISO 45001:2018 is one of the most important standards today, designed to significantly improve workplace safety and ensure a safe and healthy environment for employees and visitors. As a new ISO standard, it is applicable to any organization wishing to establish, maintain, or improve its Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management system to enhance employee health and safety, eliminate hazards, and reduce risks. The advantages of an ISO 45001-certified organization include increased awareness of safety among employees and visitors, compliance with legal regulations, reduced likelihood of safety incidents and workplace injuries, increased productivity by preventing downtime due to injuries, and improved organizational reputation.

SEDEX /SMETA

Sedex/SMETA is a social standard that facilitates ethical data exchange among suppliers via its platform. Sedex focuses on four key areas: labor standards, health and safety at work, the environment, and business integrity. The organization aims to promote higher levels of business ethics and corporate responsibility, making it easier for Sedex members to manage their global supply chains ethically. As a Sedex member, we have provided details about our operations in these four areas. The information from our self-assessment questionnaires and certification audit reports are accessible to our business partners. As a Sedex member, we decided to have both our sugar factories (Vrbas and Pećinci) undergo SMETA audits. We received positive results at both sites. Conducting SMETA audits is a fundamental element for our key clients and a crucial factor for our sustainability. SMETA is among the most frequently conducted ethical audits worldwide.

SAI FSA

In accordance with the requirements of SAI – FSA, sustainable sugar beet farming certification has been implemented on MK Farming estates. The SAI Platform is the most important non-profit organization established by the food and beverage industry to support the development of sustainable agricultural practices worldwide. The core of this initiative is the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA), which is used to verify farming practices across economic, environmental, and social aspects. Key thematic areas of the FSA are: Farm Management, Land and Nutrient Management, Waste Handling, Water Management, Crop Protection Handling and Application, Biodiversity, Working Conditions. Following certification audit by authorized auditors, farmers can be awarded a bronze, silver, or gold level. Since 2022, MK agribusiness sugar beet producers have been involved in the verification process, with the silver level being the minimum standard achieved. Additionally, the SAI Platform provides training materials and workshops on sustainable production practices within agricultural supply chains.

CONTACT

Biljana Bogdanović

Quality Control Coordinator

+381 64 871 11 42

e-mail: biljana.bogdanovic@sunoko.rs