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BRC/IoP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials
Introduction
For many years, packaging manufacturers and suppliers have commissioned
hygiene audits, in order to satisfy the due diligence defence found in
United Kingdom legislation, and to improve their own premises and
practices. Many retailers and food manufacturers also inspected packaging
premises in order to satisfy themselves that systems and procedures at
their packaging suppliers meet their individual requirements.
In 2001 the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Institute of Packaging
(IoP) published a joint standard covering food packaging materials to
assist retailers and food manufacturers in the fulfilment of their legal
obligations. With the assistance of representatives from throughout the
industry, the Standard aimed to provide a common basis for the evaluation
of companies. Since its introduction, the Standard has become a benchmark
by which these evaluations are undertaken and in 2004 the scope was
extended to cover all types of packaging materials.
Objectives
The objective of the BRC/IoP Packaging Standard is to specify safety,
quality and operational criteria which are required to be in place within
any manufacturing organisation supplying packaging to UK retailers, their
suppliers or other Standard users. The format and content of the Standard
are designed to allow an assessment of a company's premises, operational
systems, and procedures, by an accredited third party certification body.
Amongst the aims of this standard are:
- the intention to minimise duplication of auditing,
- the reduction of conflicting requirements from
various customers, and
- the promotion of "best practice" for the
industry as a whole.
Benefits
There are a number of benefits arising from the use of the BRC/IoP Standard
which include the following:
- Evaluation and registration by an accredited
third-party certification body will allow recognition throughout the
industry.
- Common verification criteria will allow both
manufacturers and suppliers to report upon their status to food
retailers and other organisations in the supply chain.
- As the Standard is comprehensive in scope covering
the areas of quality, hygiene and product safety throughout the
packaging industry, no additional certification of these areas should
be necessary.
- At least part of the 'due diligence' requirements
for the packaging manufacturer/supplier, packer/filler and retailer
will be met through certification. Packaging manufacturers may also
use this Standard to ensure their suppliers are following good hygiene
practices and so complete the 'due diligence' chain.
- Ongoing surveillance and follow up of any
corrective actions helps to establish a self-improving quality,
hygiene and product safety system within the audited company.
Requirements
The Standard requires:
- the adoption of a formal Hazard Analysis System
- a documented Technical Management System
- the control of factory standards, products,
processes and personnel.
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