BRC Global Standard Certification
A Single Level of Certification
The BRC Global Standards scheme operates at a single level of certification for quality and safety and provides clarity for producers and customers. When first introduced, the BRC Scheme operated at “Foundation” and “Higher Level” to accommodate producers at different levels of quality and safety standards. Feedback suggested that this created confusion and varied interpretation among producers and certification bodies and the principle was difficult to explain to potential customers. The current single level of certification reduces this confusion and provides greater clarity for producers and their customers.
A Single Annual Audit
Based upon performance, the BRC Global Standards scheme generally requires a single annual audit. An additional 6 monthly audit is only required if the non-conformities at an audit exceed a certain level. This provides an incentive for producers to conduct an effective pre assessment and have the standards in place to enable them to perform well at audit, freeing resources to manage the business more effectively.
Focus on Management Commitment and HACCP
The BRC Standard places a heavy emphasis on Management Commitment and a detailed approach to HACCP as the cornerstones of an effective Product Quality and Safety Management System. Feedback from BRC’s international network of food experts and discussions with CEO’s of BRC Certificated companies consistently identify these as the major components in a well managed quality and safety focused company.
Detailed Requirements Aid Consistent Interpretation
The “Requirements” in the BRC Global Standard are documented to a high level of detail. This is designed to promote consistent interpretation of the Standard by auditors and implementation by producers, thereby enhancing confidence in the certification process.
Fundamental Requirements Drive Sustainable Standards
The BRC Global Standard identifies 10 Fundamental Requirements that are crucial to a sustainable Quality and Safety Management System; they help ensure the necessary practices are in place to help maintain standards of operation between audits.
Issue 4 Incorporates the Latest Thinking in Food Quality and Safety
Based on feedback from the international community, Issue 4 of the BRC Global Standard for Packaging and packaging materials, Food Safety contains enhanced sections on issues of interest and concern to producers and their customers such as Allergen Management, Site Security, and Foreign Body Management. The Standard has also incorporated sections on Product Design and Customer Focus to help ensure safety is built into the New Product Development process and that the food safety and quality system is constantly reviewed in line with customer needs.
A Framework for Global Supply Chains
The BRC operates a Global Network of over 80 Certification Bodies operating in 90 countries. The availability of the Standard in 14 languages assists food businesses to implement the Standard throughout their global production facilities and relevant international supply chains.
Unannounced Audits
Audits of producers against the BRC Global Standard are normally announced – in that a date for the audit is agreed in advance between the Certification Body and the producer. For the first time, Issue 5 of the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety provides the option for those producers who are sufficiently confident in their food quality and safety systems to elect for unannounced audits in agreement with their appointed Certification Body. This is entirely at the request of the producer but would not normally be undertaken until the producer has a good track record of performance with announced pre-arranged audits.
