The BRCGS Agents and Brokers standard is suitable for companies that buy, sell or facilitate the trade of food, packaging and consumer products and may provide additional services.

 

This standard is designed to promote best practice on product safety, quality, integrity and the operational criteria required to fulfill obligations with regard to legal compliance and consumer protection.

Agents and brokers provide a critical link in the movement and trade of products, and influence supplier product safety and quality standards, as well as being responsible for maintaining an effective chain of traceability.

The standard has a scope which covers certification for the following categories of products:

  • Food products, including raw materials, processed foods, and fruit and vegetables;
  • Food packaging materials – primary, secondary and tertiary materials, and raw materials for the manufacture of packaging materials;
  • Pet foods for domestic animals;
  • Consumer Products.

Examples of services covered by the standard that can be included in the scope of the certification include importing, exporting, and the arranging of storage, distribution, product testing, product development, product release, repacking, further processing, etc.

In addition to the main standard, there is a voluntary module covering Meeting FSMA Requirements. This is applicable to any facility located within the US as an assessment step in preparation for their required compliance date. It may be used by facilities outside of the US who see this market as a current or future export target, to show evidence to the importer of record that they have specifically addressed certain aspects of the supplier verification program.

You can also use your certification as a marketing tool by displaying the BRCGS Agents & Brokers logo on your publicity materials, stationery and website. And your business will appear on the BRCGS Directory too, giving you further recognition.

If you are new to certification against BRCGS Agents & Brokers and feel an independent pre-assessment would help gauge your preparedness prior to an initial audit, please get in contact.

BRCGS Agents & Brokers - Audit frequency

Frequency of inspection depends on the grade awarded which is based on the number and level of non-conformities. Audits are at least every twelve months, dropping to six months if the site doesn't meet the required level of compliance.

BRCGS Agents & Brokers - Audit duration

Audit duration is based on standards specific audit duration calculators to determine how long an inspection should be. Factors such as the number of supplying sites and the number of product types traded will be taken into account. However, a minimum of one day duration is expected for storage & distribution businesses, but can be up to two days for larger, more complex sites.