Recall Plan
A recall plan is designed to facilitate quick action to effectively locate the recalled product, remove it from the marketplace, and determine the root cause to prevent future product deficiencies. A recall plan should provide the critical information to your recall management team to ensure recall effectiveness and recall compliance when working with regulatory agencies. Most importantly, a recall plan helps to reassure the public of a company’s ability and commitment to protect consumers.
Every recall plan is different, but there are a few best practices to consider when developing a recall plan. Key components of a successful plan include:
- Corporate Organizational Structure: Beyond a visual and descriptive organization chart, this section should clearly map out all supply chain operations, including suppliers, customers, distribution centers and retailers.
- Responsibilities of the Recall Management Team: Include a clear outline of the specific recall responsibilities of each individual, department, and affiliate.
- Fact Gathering: Explain the process for gathering information about the defective product and determining the cause of the problem, how to solve it, and how to prevent future system breakdowns.
- Recall Classification: Determine the scope and potential hazards of the recalled product in order to identify the recall classification.
- Notification of regulatory agency: contacting the appropriate regulatory agency with the necessary recall information.
- Recall Communications: Set up a recall communications center to appropriately inform consumers, government officials, and media outlets, and respond to inquiries.
- Recall Termination: Define the policy to be implemented to end the recall process.
A recall plan should be created and tested before a recall strikes and should describe in detail the company’s procedures, including a breakdown of specific responsibilities. In accounting for all steps from the time a recall is identified until the completion of the recall, an effective recall plan can ensure that the painful recall process is streamlined and efficient.
