BRCGS Food Safety

In short

BRCGS Food Safety (BRCGS Global Standard Food Safety) began as a British retail standard and is now used worldwide. It is detailed and prescriptive: the audit checks senior-management commitment, the HACCP plan, the food-safety and quality system, site standards, product, process and personnel controls.

A site receives a grade from AA (best) to D after the audit, and can choose an unannounced audit programme. Many UK retailers and brand owners, and others across Europe, require it from their suppliers.

What it covers

• Senior-management commitment and a documented HACCP plan
• Food-safety and quality management system, internal audits and supplier approval
• Site standards, pest control, cleaning, foreign-body and allergen controls
• Traceability, product control and personnel training

What it does not cover

• Not an organic, fair-trade or social certification
• BRCGS also has separate standards, for example for Agents and Brokers; the Food Safety certificate does not cover trading activities by itself

Who asks for it

Retailers and brand owners, especially in the UK, and large manufacturers across Europe.

How to check a certificate

Search the BRCGS Directory by company name or site; it lists the standard, grade, scope and expiry.

How a company gets it

1. Buy the current standard and run a gap assessment
2. Implement and document the requirements, then run internal audits
3. Choose a BRCGS-approved certification body and book the audit
4. Close any non-conformities, receive the grade and certificate, and repeat on the audit cycle

Questions