The BRC Global Standard - Food
Objective of the Standard
The objective of the BRC Global Standard-Food is to specify safety,
quality and operational criteria which must be in place within a
manufacturing organisation supplying food products to UK retailers,
their suppliers, or other Standard users.
The Standard was initially developed to assist Retailers to fulfil
their legal obligations and protect the consumer, by providing a
common basis for the audit of companies supplying retailer branded
food products. Since the introduction of the Food Safety Act in
the United Kingdom, the obligations placed upon the UK Retailer
have now become "best practice" across much of the supply
chain and therefore manufacturers have accepted the principles of
the Standard as a means of providing critical elements of their
due diligence system.
The fundamental principles originally established by the Retailers'
have been incorporated into the standard which is continuously reviewed
to reflect any changing requirements of both Retailers' and their
suppliers.
Scope
The BRC Global Standard for Food sets out the requirements of the
industry for the manufacture of processed foods and the preparation
of primary products supplied as retailer branded products, branded
food products and food or ingredients for use by food service companies,
catering companies, and food manufacturers. It is not intended to
replace the requirement of any legislation, where this legislation
requires higher or additional levels of control.
Certification can only apply to products that have been manufactured
or prepared at the site where the evaluation has taken place. This
will include storage facilities that are under the direct control
of the production site management.
Companies whose primary operation is the processing of product,
or the supply of pre-packed product, may be included in the scope
of certification, if appropriate controls are in place and the scope
specifically excludes the manufacture or preparation of pre-packed
product.
Certification under this Standard cannot be given for activities
relating to:
- wholesale
- importation
- distribution or storage (outside the direct control of the
company)
Requirements
Registered companies will be required to have:
- a functioning HACCP system
- a documented and effective quality management system
- control of factory environment, product, process and personnel
Benefits
Benefits of registration to the BRC Global Standard include:
- The single standard and protocol, reflects the requirements
of all BRC members, for quality, hygiene and product safety throughout
the food industry.
- One common standard recognised throughout the industry allows
for a consistent approach to auditing.
- There will be no need for multiple customer audits. Status
can be verified to the customer by the evidence of third party
certification and/or copies of audit reports.
- The Standard addresses part of the 'due diligence' requirements
of the food manufacturer/supplier, packer/filler and retailer.
Registration will demonstrate to customers that their suppliers
are following good hygiene practices and complete the 'due diligence'
chain.
- Even in countries where "due diligence" legislation
does not apply, the standard is widely recognised as providing
"best practice" for the industry.
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