BRCGS Certification

BRCGS CERTIFICATION:

A COMPREHENSIZE OVERVIEW

BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards) certification is a globally recognized third-party certification program that focuses on ensuring the safety, quality, and operational criteria of food and non-food products across the supply chain. Achieving BRCGS certification is often a requirement for businesses to supply products to major retailers, manufacturers, and food service organizations worldwide.

WHAT BRCGS STANDARD

SHOULD MY COMPANY GO WITH?

The BRCGS certification program offers different standards tailored to specific industries and sectors within the supply chain:

BRCGS for Food Safety: Designed for food producers, processing facilities, and food service organizations involved in various food categories like fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, and aquaculture. This standard focuses on HACCP principles, food safety plans, and a culture of product safety within the organization.

BRCGS Plant-Based Global: This standard caters specifically to manufacturers and processors of plant-based products, ensuring the absence of animal inputs throughout the production process. It covers a range of product categories, including processed foods, ingredients for food service and manufacturing, pet foods, and natural health products.

BRCGS for Packaging and Packaging Materials: This standard applies to manufacturers of packaging materials for both food and non-food products. It emphasizes hazard analysis, risk assessment, quality management systems, and good manufacturing practices within the production process.

BRCGS for Storage and Distribution: This standard targets storage, warehousing, logistics, and transport providers within the supply chain. It focuses on hygiene, product safety, damage reduction, waste minimization, and ensuring the integrity of products during storage and distribution.

THE ASI DIFFERENCE

Food safety isn't just a box to check; it's a core value. At ASI, we understand that. We go beyond simply providing BRCGS certification services. We become your trusted partner, working alongside you to achieve operational excellence.

Our comprehensive approach equips you with the tools and expertise needed to not only meet BRCGS standards but to surpass them. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ASI empowers you to consistently deliver the safest, highest-quality food products possible.

Choose ASI, and choose more than just certification. Choose a partnership dedicated to your success. Together, let's build a food industry where safety and quality are not just met, but exceeded.

PREPARING FOR BRCGS AUDIT:

Choosing the Right Standard: The first step involves determining the appropriate BRCGS standard for your specific business operations. The sources outline several standards, including those for food safety, plant-based products, packaging and packaging materials, and storage and distribution. You'll need to select the standard that aligns with your products and position in the supply chain.

Pre-Audit Preparation: Before the actual audit, companies must thoroughly prepare their facilities and operations to ensure compliance with the chosen BRCGS standard. This includes:

Understanding the Standard's Requirements: You'll need to familiarize yourself with the specific criteria and requirements outlined in your chosen BRCGS standard. This might involve reviewing the standard's documentation and guidelines.
Implementing Necessary Systems and Procedures: Based on the standard's requirements, you'll need to establish and implement robust systems and procedures related to hazard analysis, risk assessment, quality management, food safety, product security, and other relevant areas. This might involve developing and documenting new policies, training staff, and making necessary changes to your operational processes.
Conducting Internal Audits: It's beneficial to conduct internal audits to identify any potential gaps or areas for improvement before the actual BRCGS audit. These internal assessments can help you address issues proactively and increase your chances of a successful certification audit.

BRCGS Audit: The core of the certification process is the audit conducted by a certified BRCGS certification body. During the audit, trained auditors will:

Review Documentation: The auditors will thoroughly examine your documented systems, policies, procedures, and records to verify compliance with the BRCGS standard. This might include reviewing your HACCP plans, quality manuals, training records, and other relevant documentation.
Inspect Facilities and Operations: The auditors will physically inspect your facilities, production lines, storage areas, and other relevant areas to assess hygiene, safety, and compliance with the standard's requirements. They will observe your operational practices and processes to ensure they align with your documented systems.
Interview Staff: Auditors may interview members of your staff at various levels to evaluate their understanding of the BRCGS standard, their roles in maintaining compliance, and the effectiveness of your training programs.

Post-Audit Review and Certification:

Addressing Non-Conformances: If the auditors identify any non-conformances or areas where your operations do not meet the BRCGS standard's requirements, you will typically be given a timeframe to address these issues.
Certification Decision: Once any necessary corrective actions have been taken, the certification body will review the audit findings and determine whether to award BRCGS certification.
Ongoing Surveillance: Achieving BRCGS certification is not a one-time event. Certified companies are typically subject to ongoing surveillance audits to ensure continued compliance with the standard's requirements. These audits help maintain the integrity of the BRCGS certification and ensure that certified businesses uphold the required standards over time.

FAQ FOR BRCGS CERTIFICATION

What is BRCGS Certification?

BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards) certification is a globally recognized standard for food safety, packaging, storage, and distribution. It ensures that manufacturers and suppliers are adhering to the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational criteria.

Why is BRCGS Certification important for my business?

BRCGS certification helps improve your business's food safety practices, enhances your brand's reputation, and can increase market access by meeting the requirements of many global retailers and food service companies.

What are the main standards under BRCGS?

The main BRCGS standards include:

Food Safety
Packaging Materials
Storage and Distribution
Agents and Brokers
Consumer Products
Gluten-Free Certification Program
Plant-Based Certification

How do I start the process of getting BRCGS certified?

To start the process, you need to:

Choose the appropriate BRCGS standard for your business.
Conduct a gap analysis to identify areas needing improvement.
Implement the necessary changes to meet the BRCGS requirements.
Schedule an audit with a BRCGS-accredited certification body.

What is a gap analysis?

A gap analysis is an assessment of your current practices against the BRCGS standard requirements. It helps identify areas where your business does not yet meet the standard and requires improvements.

How long does the certification process take?

The duration of the certification process varies depending on your business's current compliance level and the complexity of the standard being implemented. It typically takes several months from initial assessment to certification.

What is involved in a BRCGS audit?

A BRCGS audit involves a thorough examination of your processes, procedures, and practices to ensure they meet the BRCGS standards. This includes reviewing documentation, observing operations, and interviewing staff.

How often are BRCGS audits conducted?

Initial certification audits are followed by annual surveillance audits to maintain certification. Full re-certification audits are typically conducted every three years.

What happens if my business does not pass the audit?

If your business does not pass the audit, the certification body will provide a report outlining non-conformities. You will need to address these issues and undergo a follow-up audit to achieve certification.

What are the costs associated with BRCGS certification?

The costs vary based on the size and complexity of your business, the standard being implemented, and the certification body’s fees. It includes costs for the audit, gap analysis, training, and any necessary improvements.

Can I choose any certification body for my BRCGS audit?

You must select a certification body that is accredited by BRCGS to conduct the audit. Accredited certification bodies have met the rigorous standards set by BRCGS for conducting audits.

How do I maintain my BRCGS certification?

To maintain your BRCGS certification, you must:

Continuously comply with the BRCGS standards.
Undergo annual surveillance audits.
Implement corrective actions for any non-conformities identified during audits.

Where can I find more information about BRCGS standards?

More information about BRCGS standards can be found on the official BRCGS website or by contacting an accredited certification body.

BRCGS CERTIFICATION