What is BRCGS?
What is BRCGS?
BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards) is a leading global brand and consumer protection organization that sets standards for food safety, packaging, storage, and distribution. BRCGS certification helps food manufacturers and suppliers demonstrate their commitment to producing safe and high-quality products. The standards cover various aspects of food production, including hygiene, traceability, and risk management, providing assurance to consumers and stakeholders alike.
The globally recognized BRCGS Global Food standard, initiated in 1998, was the inaugural food safety standard acknowledged by the GFSI organization in 2000. This accreditation underscores its compliance with GFSI’s rigorous benchmark criteria. Functioning as a comprehensive quality management framework, the standard encompasses both food safety and quality prerequisites, essential for certification by food manufacturers.
How does BRCGS differ from other GFSI schemes?
BRCGS is a scheme which encompasses both food and non-food categories ensuring a harmonized supply chain. If you are considering choosing BRCGS as your food safety system, its helpful to understand why doing so could be right for your company.
- BRCGS was the first standard to be GFSI benchmarked. This achievement demonstrates a dedication and commitment to food safety and quality which is important when making your decision.
- They were the first to introduce food safety culture requirements. Food safety culture is now part of mainstream food safety terminology. BRCGS was ahead of the curve, keeping up with the latest innovative trends in the industry.
- The BRCGS Global Food Safety Standard truly is a global standard. Unlike some others, this standard is mainstream in more than 130 countries. BRCGS is widely accepted by the European Union, which may be a motivating factor for United States manufacturers hoping to export.
- BRCGS closely manages and verifies training partners and auditors. This means that those seeking certification can expect high caliber certification bodies and training.
Implementing BRCGS Food Safety Program
1. Determine Correct Auditing Standard
There are 11 different types of BRCGS certification to choose from:
- Agents and Brokers
- Consumer Products
- Ethical Trade and Responsible Sourcing
- Food Safety
- Food Safety Culture Excellence
- Gluten- Free
- Packaging Materials
- Plant Based
- Retail
- Storage and Distribution
Based on your specific business, you will select the correct standard. You may also select more than one standard. For example, if you produce baked goods, you may utilize both the food safety and gluten-free standards.
2. Create Your Team
Once you have determined which standard you will be following, you are required to create a multi-disciplinary food safety team. It is specifically called out in Issue 9 that the team be made up of individuals from different departments such as quality assurance, technical management, operations, and engineering. A multi-disciplinary provides a holistic approach to a food safety system. Beyond the makeup on the team, it is required that all team members have an understanding of HACCP principles
and the team leader be able to demonstrate that competence.
3. Attend Training
One great thing about BRCGS is there are many ways you can learn about certification including in person and online options. Safe Food Alliance offers both public and private in-person courses. If the online route is more your speed, you can find a full list of all online classes on the BRCGS website.
4. Implement System
When it comes to implementing your BRCGS system, the first thing that needs to be addressed is senior management commitment. It is the first step in the official standard because without their buy-in, it’s going to be very difficult for any food safety manager to be successful.
BRCGS lays out a list of fundamental requirements which are “crucial to the establishment and operation of an effective food quality and safety operation”. Those requirements are:
- Senior management commitment and continual improvement
- HACCP based food safety plan
- Internal Audits
- Management of suppliers or raw materials and packaging
- Corrective and preventive actions
- Traceability
- Layout, product flow, and segregation
- Housekeeping and hygiene
- Management of allergens
- Control of operations
- Labelling and pack control
- Training: raw material-handling, preparation, processing, packing, and storage areas
5. Conduct Internal Audit
Internal audits are a great way to prepare your company for an official audit. They are also required under the BRCGS Food Safety Standard. Each year, certified sites must conduct 4 separate internal audits, each of which will include an evaluation of:
- HACCP or food safety plan
- Prerequisite programs
- Food defense and food fraud prevention plans
- Procedures implemented to achieve the standard
Think of internal audits as practice tests. The more you practice, the better you will do on the final exam.
6. Select Certification Body
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.
7. Conduct BRCGS Audit
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. Your auditor will also look at the verification of your product safety management system, label review, and how you conduct production facility inspection. At the end of the audit, there will be a final review of findings and a closing meeting.
8. Corrective Actions
After your audit has been completed, you may have non-conformities and corrective actions which need to be completed. Non-conformities come in three levels: Critical, Major, and Minor, and are prescribed based on severity and risk. Corrective actions are ways to remedy non-conformities. An effective way to correct food safety issues in your facility is to conduct a root cause analysis. This analysis allows you to find the “root cause” of what went wrong and create preventive actions so there isn’t a reoccurrence.
9. Maintain
Maintenance is all about continual development. Keep your team up to date with training. Verify that you are meeting all BRCGS requirements on an ongoing preventive basis. Keep conducting those internal audits! That way when you schedule your annual third-party BRCGS audit, you’ll be ready.
The Benefits of Getting BRCGS Certified
Consumer and customer demands have never been greater. With BRCGS certification you gain an entire program worth of solutions and benefits that can make your food safety program and your product one that we can count on.
- Widely Accepted: BRCGS is one of the most widely accepted food safety schemes for retailers, manufacturers, ingredients companies, and raw materials processors around the world. This is especially helpful if you export your product to other countries who require a GFSI benchmarked scheme.
- Reduces Risk: Any time you implement a GFSI benchmarked scheme, you are making a greater commitment to food safety. BRCGS is no exception. When you achieve BRCGS certification, it tells the world that you are committed to an increased level of food safety sophistication and a reduction in risk.
- Competitive Advantage: GFSI certification is very well known to buyers in the retail space. Many of them even require it to sell your products in their stores. If a buyer must choose between two identical products, one which is BRCGS certified and one that is only HACCP certified, they are going to choose BRCGS every time.
- Demonstrates Control in Quality Assurance Programs: By implementing a BRCGS food safety system, you can show consumers, customers, and your internal team your dedication to providing a safe and quality product. This adds a new level of confidence to the entire system.
BRCGS Issue 9
BRCGS Issue 9, the latest iteration of the globally recognized food safety standard, introduces several enhancements aimed at strengthening food safety practices across the supply chain. Building upon previous versions, Issue 9 emphasizes a holistic approach to risk management, with a greater focus on food safety culture, environmental monitoring, and food fraud prevention. It incorporates updated requirements to address emerging food safety challenges and aligns with industry best practices and regulatory developments.
Additionally, Issue 9 emphasizes the importance of supplier management, allergen management, and product authenticity, empowering businesses to enhance transparency, traceability, and consumer trust. With its emphasis on continuous improvement and innovation, BRCGS Issue 9 equips businesses with the tools and frameworks necessary to uphold the highest standards of food safety and quality in today’s dynamic and ever-evolving food industry landscape.
BRCGS Learning Library
