What is BRC (British Retail Consortium) Certification?

The BRC (British Retail Consortium) was developed and published in 1998 by the BRC, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standards specify safety, quality and operational criteria for food producers and suppliers. BRC Global Standard for Food Safety is said to be a product and process certification standard which is known for compliance with the best practices in the industry.

These food quality and safety standards are published by retail trade groups. Any organization wishing to supply its food products to those retailers must meet the required standards. The retailers request that an independent third party approves the quality and food safety system of the supplier.

The BRCGS create and implement standards in a variety of sectors:

• Global Standard for Food Safety
• Global Standard for Packaging Materials
• Global Standard for Ethical Trade & Responsible Sourcing
• Global Standard for Storage and Distribution
• Global Standard for Consumer Products
• Global Standard for Agents and Brokers
• Global Standard for Retail
• Global Standard for the Gluten-Free Certification Program

Why BRC certification is important?

Demand for food safety is growing. Consumers and authorities increasingly demand that the food we eat should offer high levels of quality and security. If a problem occurs, the source of error needs to be found quickly and the problem rectified. Demands are typically directed to the retail trade first, but responsibility spreads through the entire food chain to include food producers, primary producers and transporters.

Used worldwide, the BRC standards are recognised by the GFSI, which aims to reduce the need for multiple supplier audits by harmonising international food safety standards. BRC certification is internationally recognized mark of food safety as well as food quality. The certification is received by the help of a third-party audit against the Standard requirements by any accredited certification body.

BRC standards are accepted by many of the world’s largest retail groups, manufacturers and food service organisations - providing an international mark of excellence for the certificate holder.BRC Global Standards deliver confidence across the entire supply chain by guaranteeing the standardisation of quality, safety and operational principles. By setting the benchmark for excellent manufacturing practice, they provide assurance to customers that products are safe, legal and of high quality.

What are the benefits of BRC certification?

• Internal recognition as approved by GFSI
• Access markets like UK, Germany, France & other markets where BRC is a requirement.
• Strengthened relationships with retail distributors build stakeholder engagement and brand reputation International recognition.
• Accepted by all the retail customers.
• A systematic approach to meet the requirement for food safety.
• Improving the safety and quality of the product.
• Conformance with all the legal and regulatory requirements.
• The ability to reduce the customer and third-party audit.
• Systematic management of GMP requirements (prerequisite programs)
• Can help in identifying the process improvements and reduced customer complaints.
• Provides evidence of due diligence and also reduces the likelihood of product recall and adverse publicity.

Who can acquire BRC certification?

This BRC certification may applicable for the following categories of organziations

•   Finished Food Manufacturers of branded and unbranded products.
• The raw material, as well as the ingredient suppliers.
• Primary product packing material manufacturer and supplier.
• Food product / packing material Storage and Distributor
• Consumer Products organizations.
•  Food product bulk selling Agents and Brokers.
• Food Retailers