Vision
At SAMIC we are committed to ensuring the highest standards and quality of red meat and derivative products, providing producers, relevant stakeholders, and consumers with peace of mind, knowing that their choices are backed by rigorous standards and impartial verification.
Mission
SAMIC is an accredited inspection body, assigned by government, that impartially and independently verifies classification and quality claims on red meat and derivative products to the benefit of the red meat industry.
Management System and Commitment
The management of the South African Meat Industry Company (SAMIC) is committed to the implementation and maintenance of its management system, which is based on the requirements of ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity assessment – Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection.
The management system has been established by SAMIC to ensure that it can meet its obligations as Assignee appointed by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) for the purpose of the application of sections 3(1)(a) and (b) and 8 of the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 119 (Act 119 of 1990) with regard to the classification and marking of meat intended for the sale in the Republic of South Africa.
SAMIC management has formulated, published, and is committed to these management system policies. Each member of management is involved in establishing objectives that pertain to their sphere of operations.
Management ensures that these policies and objectives are acknowledged and implemented at all levels of the SAMIC organization. SAMIC strives for excellence, leading by example and acting with integrity. Management is also involved in ensuring the availability of resources to meet contractual and operational requirements, and to ensure that the management system remains valid to satisfy these needs. Management reviews this management system at regular intervals.
SAMIC has also decided to apply for accreditation from the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) as an indicator of its competence in its inspection and auditing functions and is committed to meeting the relevant accreditation requirements.
Impartiality and Independence
SAMIC understands the importance of impartiality and the consideration of any potential conflict of interest in carrying out its inspection and auditing activities. SAMIC recognises that impartiality and objectivity are the prerequisites for effective and consistent inspection and auditing services.
SAMIC ensures that inspections and audits are conducted impartially by contractually binding agreements. SAMIC takes responsibility for its activities and does not allow commercial, financial, or other pressures to compromise impartiality.
Risks to impartiality are identified and analysed on an ongoing basis and are eliminated or minimised through policies and procedures.
Confidentiality
SAMIC is committed to providing a confidential service.
SAMIC is responsible, through legally enforceable commitments, for the management of all information obtained or created during the performance of its inspection/auditing activities. SAMIC shall seek the DOA or Quality Indication owner approval, in advance, of any information related to its assigned activities it intends to place in the public domain.
Except for information that the DOA or the Quality Indication owner makes publicly available, or when agreed with SAMIC, all other information is considered proprietary information and shall be regarded as confidential.
All aspects of inspections and audits are treated as confidential. SAMIC will not disclose any information obtained during inspection and auditing activities to any other party than the auditee, the DOA, and the Quality Indication mark owner without the auditee’s expressed written permission unless required by law. SAMIC is, however, obliged in the course of its duties to disclose confidential information to the DOA.