Standard Owner Benchmark - BRCGS

BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards), formerly known as the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standards, is a leading global safety and quality certification program for food, packaging, storage, and distribution. It provides a framework for assessing the safety, quality, and operational criteria within a wide range of sectors in the food industry.

The BRCGS certification program was developed in the early 1990s by the British Retail Consortium, a trade association representing UK retailers. It aimed to establish a common set of standards and protocols to ensure food safety and quality throughout the supply chain.

Today, BRCGS is recognized internationally and used by food producers, manufacturers, and retailers around the world. The certification scheme helps companies demonstrate their commitment to food safety, hygiene, and quality management systems. It covers various aspects, including production processes, premises, personnel, and product integrity.

The BRCGS standards are regularly updated to reflect industry best practices and regulatory requirements. They provide a comprehensive set of requirements that companies must meet to obtain certification. These standards cover areas such as hazard and risk analysis, product labeling, supplier management, traceability, and product safety and quality management.

By achieving BRCGS certification, companies can enhance their reputation, build trust with customers, and gain a competitive edge in the market. The certification is often a requirement or a preferred standard for suppliers within the retail industry.

In addition to the core BRCGS Food Safety standard, there are other BRCGS standards available, including those for packaging and packaging materials, storage and distribution, consumer products, and agents and brokers.

It is important to note that BRCGS is a certification program and not a regulatory body. It provides a framework for assessment, but the certification itself is issued by approved certification bodies that have been accredited by the BRCGS. These certification bodies conduct audits and assessments to determine whether a company meets the requirements of the relevant BRCGS standard.