Having BRCGS certification will give you increased confidence in your product and will help open up new market opportunities. You will get access to support, marketing tools, worldwide networks and be a member of a globally recognised scheme. Implementing a food ERP system goes far beyond installing software – it’s a complete business transformation. Get an in-depth understanding of what BRC certification is and the fundamental requirements of the standards.
If sole cleaning is also crucial within the hygiene protocol, choose a hygiene station that combines hand disinfection and sole cleaning. These devices guarantee a controlled passage of workers when entering and leaving the production area(s). Upon entering the URK, hands are disinfected in the appropriate hand openings (protected via rubber rings) and footwear is cleaned by rotating brushes.
The Global Standard for Storage and Distribution
The BRCGS certification is recognized in over 130 countries and is accepted by 70% of the top 10 global retailers. This widespread adoption makes it a crucial credential for food businesses seeking to expand their market reach. Many top retailers and food service companies prefer or require suppliers to be BRCGS certified. Now in its 9th issue, the standard has constantly evolved to protect the consumer.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) first published its Global Standard for Food Safety in 1998. Evaluating how your products and services meet and exceed quality, safety, sustainability and performance standards. In the past twenty years, the Standard is now in its seventh issue and has earned global recognition as a reliable and efficient authority on food safety. The BRC has also grown with the times, evolving to accommodate contributions from various leading global specifiers. Even in a volatile world like our one in 2024, they adapt to emerging food safety challenges, and regular updates incorporate new scientific insights and industry best practices. Many top global retailers and food service organizations prefer BRCGS-certified suppliers.
BRCGS Checking: Ongoing Compliance and Audits
By adhering to its stringent guidelines, companies can identify and mitigate risks in the production process. For those businesses seeking to secure a BRC certification, the effort and resources invested are not only measures of compliance; they are commitments to a better, safer, and more resilient food industry. The vitality of the global food market depends on such proactive initiatives, and BRC stands as a model worth emulating and exceeding. With over 28,000 BRC-certified suppliers across more than 130 countries worldwide, the scale octafx broker reviews of adoption reflects the BRC standards’ critical role in enhancing the safety and quality benchmarks globally. The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety was the first standard to meet the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmark, which means it’s accepted by many of the world’s biggest retailers, such as Tesco and Walmart.
The certification body will provide the audit report and confirm whether the certification has been achieved.BRC performs audits in three-year cycles, which allows for constant improvement in your business practices.It also shows that the business has complete operational control over a wide range of food processes.Upon entering the URK, hands are disinfected in the appropriate hand openings (protected via rubber rings) and footwear is cleaned by rotating brushes.
Sign up for QIMA newsletter and receive insights on quality control, global trade compliance, CSR and traceability in the supply chains. Has a retailer asked that your product have a food safety certification like SQF or GFSI, and you don’t understand the difference? Once you are ready for your audit, it’s time to reach out to a BRCGS registered Certification Body. This organization will work with you to assign an auditor, schedule the audit, create a report, and conclude any corrective actions after the audit. One thing to keep in mind when choosing a certification body, they each receive a rating from BRCGS between one and five stars.
Do I need BRCGS certification?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore every facet of BRC – from what it is and why it matters to how to get certified – leaving you equipped to not just comply, but excel. This section lays out the standards intended for staff training, protective attire and personal hygiene. This evaluation helps organizations understand where improvements are needed to meet BRCGS standards. The BRCGS Packaging Standard and the BRCGS Storage and Distribution Standard also focus primarily on ensuring product safety. Adopted by over 22,000 sites in more than 130 countries, the standard is accepted by leading global brands and retailers. At some point during a BRC audit, the auditor will talk to key personnel to identify their role and, possibly, observe them performing a routine activity to ensure it conforms with documented procedures.
By achieving certification against BRCGS’s rigorous criteria, businesses gain a competitive edge in the marketplace, further ensuring the integrity of the supply chain from farm to fork. The British Retail Consortium developed BRC in 1996 to ensure that retailers had a consistent standard for their suppliers. The primary goal is to unify food safety standards and foster transparency in the food industry by ensuring minimum requirements are met and best practices are consistently followed. The standards for packaging materials ensure product safety and quality throughout the manufacturing process. Storage and distribution standards focus on maintaining product integrity during transportation and warehousing. Retailers, brands, and food service companies widely accept the BRCGS Food Safety Standard.
This phase includes a self-assessment and a comprehensive review of all relevant documentation to ensure readiness for the audit. It’s a crucial stage where businesses prepare by aligning their practices with BRCGS standards, discovering and fixing areas of improvement. BRCGS certification scrutinizes the environmental conditions within production facilities to ensure they are conducive to producing or storing safe food or other products. It assesses how businesses control and manage their production environments to prevent contamination and ensure product safety. An on-site BRCGS audit entails a third-party auditor coming to your facility to evaluate your system. The audit includes 10 different sections outlined by BRCGS including an opening meeting, production facility inspection, a discussion with site staff and managers, document review, and a traceability challenge.
After a successful audit, the certification body typically issues the certificate, but there may be follow-up actions required if non-conformances are identified. BRC certification emphasizes the necessity of conducting a thorough hazard analysis to identify potential risks in the production process. For food industry professionals committed to sustainable growth and success, BRC certification is indispensable. It represents a pact with consumers and stakeholders, a declaration of operational integrity, and a roadmap to emergence as a leader in the global food economy. Furthermore, BRC standards are not confined by national borders or legal jurisdictions. They are adaptable to various international arenas and are recognized by global regulators and multinational corporations.
By implementing these measures, companies can reduce the likelihood of product recalls, legal issues, and reputational damage, leading to cost savings in the long run. The BRCGS offer additional products and services through their bookshop, and through running events and conferences. They also run the BRCGS Academy which ensures auditors, certification bodies, sites and manufacturers can implement the standards correctly and uniformly around the world. In February 2019, BRCGS unveiled a new identity as Brand Reputation through Compliance of Global Standards, as well as a ema indicator new logo. This reflects how the BRCGS has evolved over the years and how it seeks to help manufacturers, brand owners and retailers maintain faith in their products.
The process includes reviewing current practices against BRC standards, which cover aspects like hazard analysis, quality management, and employee training. BRC certification can significantly benefit small-scale suppliers by enhancing their marketability to major retailers and manufacturers that require their suppliers to adhere to strict food safety standards. BRCGS has extended its reach beyond food safety to encompass diverse industries.
Join the global network
Partnering with us simplifies the path to BRCGS certification, helping to elevate your food safety or other product protocols and affirming your commitment to excellence in food quality and safety. Having a BRC certification means that your business is manufacturing safe quality food products you can be proud of. Once you have determined which standard you will be following, you are required to create a multi-disciplinary food safety team.
Food businesses can easily get BRCGS certification with the help of FoodDocs‘ smart Food Safety Management System.While all GFSI-recognized schemes share core food safety principles, BRCGS places distinct emphasis on brand protection, traceability, and food safety culture.It’s also a good idea to perform a pre-audit to ensure your facility and employees are ready, which can cost about $6,000.Compliance with these standards often involves undergoing food audits and assessments to obtain certification.
During this assessment, the auditor will evaluate documentation, observe operations, and interview staff to determine whether the company adheres to BRC requirements. This system includes documentation of procedures, staff training records, and regular reviews to ensure compliance with safety standards. With clear, documented procedures in place, companies can better protect themselves from liabilities arising from food safety incidents.
Understanding BRC Food Certification: What It Means for the Food Industry
Intertek provides safety and performance Forex trading scams certification to nationally recognized standards for a wide range of products. Our product directories allow you to easily verify products that carry our marks. Formally confirming that your products and services meet all trusted external and internal standards. For a company to adhere to regulations regarding food safety, the management must first take the responsibility of instilling these best practices throughout the company.
Following the SAI Global acquisition in 2021, we have further extended our reach and expertise in the food sector, offering assurance services across the food supply chain, from farm to plate. Companies looking to earn validation from the BRC Global Standard would do well to integrate a sound ERP solution that can account for all their processes. With iNECTA, you have a bird’s-eye view of your business, and can streamline processes while complying with the BRC’s guidelines. This section is intended to apply the requirements for the management of food safety and quality for product specifications, supplier approval, traceability, etc. By integrating HACCP into its framework, BRCGS ensures that certified companies have a systematic approach to identifying and controlling food safety hazards. BRCGS protects consumers by standardizing food safety protocols and helps brands attain high levels of quality through its clear framework.
Ensure that your team is well-prepared and your business has a high level of facility management for the certification evaluation by using FoodDocs‘ AI-powered Food Safety Management System. At the certification decision, both the audit grade and the quality and timeliness of your Corrective Action Plan are taken into account. As the first standard to comply with the Global Food Safety Initiative, BRC is among the most utilized standards in the food industry, and is firmly established in UK, Europe and USA alike. If you’re in the food industry, chances are that you’ve heard about BRC certification. This blog will explain who BRC are and what commercial benefits you could expect if you choose to embark on gaining a BRC certification.