Version 5
SAI Global is the leading provider of supplier evaluations in the world to this standard, currently completing more evaluation than any other certification body. The standard is applicable for any supplier, regardless of produce or country of origin, and sets the standard for food manufacturing plants.
What the standard covers
In 1998 the British Retail Consortium (BRC), responding to industry needs, developed and introduced the BRC Food Technical Standard to be used to evaluate manufacturers of retailers own brand food products.
The main requirements of this standard are the adoption of HACCP, a documented quality management system and control of factory environmental standards, process and personnel.
In a short space of time, this Standard has become invaluable to other organisations across the sector.It was and still is regarded as the benchmark for best practice in the food industry.This and its use outside the UK has seen it evolve into a Global Standard used not just to assess retailer suppliers, but as a framework uponwhich many companies have based their supplier assessment programmesand manufacture of some branded products.
Benefits of the standard
It is designed to be used as a pillar to help retailers and brand owners with their 'due diligence' defence, should they be subject to a prosecution by the enforcement authorities.
Your BRC audit can be seamlessly combined with a IFS Audit providing the following benefits:
- SAI Global are able to offer cost a effective service through a single audit using a combined checklist
- Allows management to schedule a single audit for multiple standards and reduces audit time compared with standalone audits
- Addresses ‘deviations and non-conformities’ in a coordinated manner through your BRC/IFS Certification Team
- Makes it possible to issue separate reports and certificates simultaneously against each standard through just one audit.
Accepted by buyers
Many Global retailers and brand owners will only consider business with suppliers who have gained certification to the appropriate BRC Global Standard.
Who does the inspections?
SAI Global/EFSIS have inspectors that have specialist knowledge of key industry sectors and have already gained many years experience by delivering the standard since its inception in 1998
Certification decisions are made by members of the Certification Team who have been approved by the SAI Global Certification Committee. Certification Team members have detailed technical knowledge of manufacturing and product technologies, HACCP, QMS and expertise in the requirements of the standard and the standard owners / stakeholders expectations.
The Standard
The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety can be purchased from the BRC Bookshop: www.tsoshop.co.uk/brcbookshop/
Interpretation Guideline
BRC have published Interpretation Guidelines for the Global Standard for Food Safety, this document can be purchased from the BRC Bookshop visit: www.tsoshop.co.uk/brcbookshop/ for more information.
For New BRC Issue 6 Update, click here!
