BRCGS Food Safety Certification Services
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What is BRCGS Food Safety?
BRCGS Certification, governed by the BRCGS Global Food Safety Standard, is a leading benchmark in food safety and quality recognized worldwide. For nearly 25 years, this standard has been adopted by over 22,000 sites across 130 countries, making it the preferred choice for top global retailers, quick-service restaurants, and manufacturers. Currently in its 9th edition, BRCGS Certification has evolved to meet the highest standards in food safety, integrity, and quality.
It was the first standard to be GFSI benchmarked and introduced crucial elements like food safety culture, food fraud prevention, and additional modules to reduce audit burden. This certification provides a comprehensive framework for managing product safety, legality, and operational controls within the food manufacturing, processing, and packing industries, ensuring consumer protection and continuously improve brand trust.
Why choose Kiwa for your BRCGS Food Safety Certification?
BRCGS Food Safety certification is essential for any food processing operation handling food. From primary processors like abattoirs and dairies to retail packing operations, this certification ensures your products are safe, legal, and meet quality standards that encourage repeat purchases. Certification also provides a marketing advantage by allowing the use of the BRCGS logo and listing in the BRCGS Directory.
Benefits of BRCGS Food Safety Certification
- Global Recognition: BRCGS is recognized internationally, enhancing your brand's credibility.
- Improved Compliance: Reduce waste, complaints, and product recalls with a strong food safety management system.
- Marketing Advantage: Use the BRCGS Food Safety logo to boost customer confidence.
Our certification process
BRCGS Food Safety Audit Frequency
Inspection frequency is determined by the grade awarded based on non-conformities, with audits occurring at least annually, and every six months for lower compliance levels.
BRCGS Food Safety Audit Duration
The duration of the audit is calculated on the duration calculation requirements of the standard, taking into account factors such as company size, complexity, and workforce. Typically, audits last from two to four and a half days.
Additional Modules Available
- Meat Supply Chain Module: Tailored for facilities using red meat, poultry, or game, excluding slaughterhouses that only process onsite.
- Meeting FSMA Requirements for Food: Ideal for facilities targeting the US market, this module helps demonstrate compliance with US regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions about BRCGS
How do I get started with BRCGS Certification?
Getting started with BRCGS certification begins with understanding the relevant requirements. First, download or purchase the Global Standard you're interested in from the BRCGS Bookshop. It's also recommended to complete an "Understanding the Requirements" training course for your site before reaching out to a certification body for the audit. Quick start guides are available to help you navigate the process effectively.
Where can I download a copy of the BRCGS Standard?
You can freely download the BRCGS Global Standards from the BRCGS Bookshop.
Where can I find the self-assessment document for the BRCGS Food Safety Standard?
The self-assessment document is available for download from the BRCGS website. You can find it under the “Help and Guidance” section of the BRCGS Food Safety page or access it through the BRCGS Participate platform.
When can we schedule an audit for our newly established site?
For new manufacturing sites, it’s essential to ensure that your systems and procedures are fully compliant before scheduling a BRCGS audit. While the timing is up to your company, it’s generally recommended to wait until your processes are well-established, which typically takes at least three months. A pre-assessment near the end of this period can help gauge your readiness.
How does scoring work in a BRCGS audit?
BRCGS audit scores are based on the severity of non-conformities, classified as critical, major, or minor. Critical non-conformities result in an automatic failure or certificate withdrawal. Once non-conformities are identified, your site must address them within a specified time to qualify for certification.
How does the unannounced BRCGS audit process work?
Unannounced audits can occur at any time within a four-month window before the audit due date, including the 28 days leading up to it. If the audit isn’t conducted within this timeframe, it won’t proceed unless there are exceptional circumstances.
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Additional information
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