Checklist for monitoring plan for environmental pathogens

From March 2025, all food businesses (with the exception of slaughterhouses and cutting plants) in Belgium will be required to implement a monitoring plan for environmental pathogens in accordance with the GM4 self-monitoring module. Does your monitoring plan already meet these requirements? Find out what steps you still need to take with this free checklist.

The monitoring plan according to GM4 must be based on a detailed risk analysis, which determines which analyses are necessary, where they must be carried out and how often. An insufficiently substantiated/implemented plan will lead to A2 deficiencies during an ACS audit. In addition, GFSI standards such as IFS, BRCGS and FSSC 22000 also require a well-thought-out and well-substantiated environmental monitoring plan. During a GFSI audit, you must be able to demonstrate that you comply with current legislation and regulations.

Tip: answer the questions honestly and as accurately as possible. If you do not fully understand a question, there is a good chance that you have not yet (sufficiently) implemented the relevant part or that you are not fully aware of the content of the module. In that case, answer “No” or “I don't know”. After completing the questionnaire, you will receive advice tailored to your company and discover what steps you still need to take.

Want more insight and practical tools?

Would you like more insight into the content of the module and practical tools to get started? Then register for the Open GM4 Training Course on 9 December 2025.