A globally recognised set of food safety and quality standards, originally from the British Retail Consortium, benchmarked against the Global Food Safety…
A globally recognised set of food safety and quality standards, originally from the British Retail Consortium, benchmarked against the Global Food Safety Initiative. BRCGS, formerly known as the BRC Global Standards and originating with the British Retail Consortium, is a suite of certification standards covering areas such as food safety, packaging materials, storage and distribution, and agents and brokers. Its food safety standard is one of the most widely used in international food supply chains. The BRCGS food safety standard is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative and is built around a HACCP-based food safety plan, a documented quality management system, and control of site, product and process. Sites are graded following their audit, which gives customers a summary of how well the site met the requirements. Australian exporters and businesses supplying UK and European retailers frequently seek BRCGS certification because those customers specify it. Implementation means adopting the relevant BRCGS standard, running a HACCP study, documenting the quality management system, and passing an audit by an approved certification body. Certification is site-specific and must be maintained through periodic re-audits, with the audit grade influencing how often the site is checked. Like other schemes, BRCGS is voluntary and additional to the mandatory requirements of the Australian Food Standards Code. A Tasmanian seafood exporter gains BRCGS food safety certification to meet the requirements of a British supermarket buyer, undergoing a site audit that results in a grade recorded on its certificate.
Frequently asked questions
What does BRCGS stand for?
BRCGS stands for Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards, evolving from the original British Retail Consortium Global Standards.
Is BRCGS recognised by the GFSI?
Yes. The BRCGS food safety standard is benchmarked against and recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative.
How is a BRCGS audit result reported?
Sites receive a grade after their audit, which summarises how well the site met the standard and can affect the audit frequency.
Does BRCGS replace Australian food law?
No. BRCGS is a voluntary certification additional to the mandatory Australian Food Standards Code, which continues to apply.
Which businesses commonly seek BRCGS?
Manufacturers and exporters supplying UK and European retailers often need BRCGS because those customers specify it as a condition of supply.
