Food safety and quality compliance in the United States

First published in 1998, the BRCGS Food Safety Standard gives food manufacturers, suppliers, and processing plants the opportunity to become certified. BRCGS Food certification is internationally recognized. It verifies that your company prioritizes and complies with stringent food safety and quality requirements.

Standardized food safety and quality

Error prevention in food processing

Increased confidence among suppliers, customers, and business partners

Beschreibung Standard/Regelwerk
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The global standard for safe, high-quality food

The BRCGS "Global Standard for Food Safety" was developed by the independent organization "Brand Reputation through Compliance" and last published in its 9th edition on August 1, 2022. The goal of the standard is to ensure the quality and safety of food.

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Key factors of the BRCGS Food Standard

To be certified according to the BRCGS requirements, companies must fulfill specific conditions. Among other things, it is necessary to follow the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

In addition, there must be an audit of the implemented quality management system. To comply with food safety according to the standard, a classification of potential risks in the company or plant is necessary. Additionally, all production or processing methods and technologies for food must be analyzed. The audits also include a review to determine if all legal requirements for food hygiene and quality are complied with. For this purpose, personnel as well as premises and machines are inspected. The qualifications of the employees are also subjected to analysis.

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Is the BRCGS Food certification relevant for my US organization?

BRCGS Food certification is important for all companies that process or work with open food. They can be brand-name manufacturers, suppliers, or companies that package food.

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How has the BRCGS Food Standard evolved?

The BRCGS Food Safety and Quality Standard was first published in 1998 and developed by European trade companies and associations. The BRCGS is the successor to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the British trade association.

The standard is based on a HACCP system, which considers the requirements of the globally applicable Codex Alimentarius. In addition, the BRCGS Food Standard introduces a quality management system and a food safety system that can be certified. The quality management system is based on the fundamental principles of ISO 9001.

Version 8 of the BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety has reduced potential safety risks by optimizing control processes. In addition, a whistleblower system has been established.

The first preparations for the revision of version 8 of the BRCGS Food Safety Standard were started in May 2021. Version 9 was published in August of 2022, which you can read more about here.

The innovations of version 9 are not too extensive; the main focus is on compliance with the current GFSI requirements to secure the worldwide recognition of BRCGS Food Safety. The topic "Food Safety Culture" is formulated in a simpler, more comprehensible and more operationally oriented way in order to do justice to the enormous importance of this topic. The audit options that have so far only been defined under pandemic conditions will be expanded to be able to carry out a "blended audit" in the future even without pandemic conditions. Specifically for companies in the meat industry, there will be more clearly formulated requirements aimed at ensuring that the slaughter process is carried out in a manner that is safe and compliant with animal welfare standards, and to provide greater clarity of requirements for the companies concerned.

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What is the process for BRCGS Food certification?

In the first step, we will discuss your company, management system, and field of activity in a personal meeting or by e-mail. Since the duration of the audit depends on the size and complexity of your company, we need detailed information from you, such as the number of employees. Next, you will promptly receive a detailed and transparent quote, customized to your individual needs.

A gap assessment offers the opportunity to check compliance with the standard requirements in advance and to identify potential for improvement as well as strengths. Especially in the case of an initial certification, it may be useful to obtain the evaluation of a qualified DQS Inc. auditor during or after the implementation of the standard requirements.

As soon as your company is ready, an audit date will be set together with you and approved auditors with expertise and experience in your industry. During the certification audit, our auditors will assess whether your company meets the requirements of the BRCGS Food Safety Standard and identify potential for improvement. In a final meeting, you will receive a detailed presentation of the results from your auditor. If necessary, action plans will be agreed upon.

The audit and its results are evaluated by the independent certification board of DQS Inc., which decides on the issuance of the certificate. You will receive an audit report documenting the audit results. If there are any discrepancies, you will have the opportunity to correct them and take appropriate action at that time. If all applicable requirements are met, you will receive the certificate with a validity period of one year. Your certificate will be published in the BRCGS database.

After one year, your certificate expires. To ensure the continued validity of your certificate, DQS Inc. will schedule your next audit before expiration.

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How much does BRCGS Food certification cost?

The cost of BRCGS Food certification depends on many factors including the size of your company and the complexity of your processes. We will be happy to make you an individual quote for your company without obligation.

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Why DQS is the perfect partner for BRCGS Food certification

  • Many years of experience as an accredited certification body for certification according to authoritative food safety standards
  • Global presence with local contact persons in more than 80 locations including the U.S. 
  • High level of expertise for all product categories
  • Customized offers and services for your company
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We will be happy to provide you with a customized offer for BRCGS Food certification.