The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety is one of the operational tools most frequently used for due diligence* and supplier approval. It helps companies to select and qualify their suppliers. Thus, the system reduces the overall costs of the supply chain management and increases the level of safety for customers, suppliers, and consumers. While regarded as a ticket-to-trade, the standard is also a great opportunity to demonstrate your company’s commitment to food safety, quality, and legality, and to work on continual improvement.
BRC Global Standard for Food Safety meets the criteria of the Global Food Safety Initiative GFSI by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) .The standard is accepted by the majority of food retailers as equivalent to the other benchmarked food safety standards, such as IFS, SQF and the Dutch HACCP.
What is the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety?
The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety is a global tool based on the most recent and updated food safety standards and methodologies. The requirements in the standard are related to the quality management system and the HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) system, supported by detailed prerequisite programmes.
Why is certification good for my business?
Most British, and many European and global retailers, brand owners, and food processors, only include suppliers certified to the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety in their supply chain.
The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety enables your organisation to:
- Provide evidence of commitment
- In case of a food safety incident, provide legal defence in the frame of the due diligence concept*.
- Build and operate a management system capable of helping you to better meet food quality/safety requirements and legal compliance, with specific reference to the legislation applicable in the countries where the finished product is consumed
- Provide a tool for food safety performance improvement and the means to monitor and measure food safety performance effectively
- Facilitate reductions in product waste, product reworking, and product recall
- Have efficient supply chain management by reducing second party audits and increasing your overall supply chains reliability.
How can I prepare for certification?
Companies that plan well will often have an advantage and be better prepared for certification. It is important that you and your company are positive, committed, and set clear target dates for implementation and assessment.
This includes:
- Establishing a quality management system
- Identifying legal requirements
- Identifying and documenting the specific food safety hazards and the relevant control measures (HACCP system)
- Identifying the applicable Good Manufacturing Practice/Good Hygiene Practice
- Implement any needed structural improvements
* The capability to be able to demonstrate that every reasonable measure has been taken to avoid an incident.