Introduction to BRCGS Certification
BRCGS certification (originally developed by the British Retail Consortium) is a globally recognized standard for quality assurance and food safety management. It serves as a benchmark for organizations that manufacture, process, package, store, or distribute food and consumer products. Now owned and managed by the BRCGS brand under LGC Assure, the certification encompasses multiple categories including food safety, packaging materials, storage and distribution, retail, and consumer products.
As a scheme benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), BRCGS certification meets rigorous international criteria for ensuring food safety and legal compliance across global supply chains. GFSI benchmarking means that BRCGS certification is accepted by leading retailers, brand owners, and regulatory authorities worldwide, simplifying the supplier approval process and enabling smoother access to high-value international markets.
BRCGS certification is designed to safeguard product integrity, improve traceability, support recall readiness, and ensure hazard control across every point of the supply chain. It helps businesses comply with HACCP principles, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), allergen management, and hygiene protocols. For food processors, contract manufacturers, co-packers, and packaging suppliers alike, BRCGS certification communicates trust, quality, and a strong commitment to consumer protection and continuous improvement.
What Does BRCGS Certification Involve?
BRCGS certification is built around a robust framework of clearly defined requirements designed to uphold the highest standards of food safety, product quality, and legal compliance. This framework enables organizations to systematically identify risks, implement preventive controls, and foster a culture of continuous improvement throughout the supply chain. Whether operating a food processing facility, distribution center, or packaging plant, companies rely on the BRCGS structure to meet both regulatory expectations and customer demands.
The most widely adopted standard under the BRCGS umbrella is the BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety, which is tailored to meet the needs of food manufacturers producing a broad range of products under varying operational conditions. Key components of the standard include:
- Senior management commitment and continual improvement
- HACCP-based food safety plan
- Food safety and quality management systems
- Site standards and infrastructure hygiene
- Product control and traceability
- Process control and allergen management
- Personnel training and hygiene
Facilities undergo rigorous third-party audits to evaluate compliance with these requirements. Certification is awarded at different grades (AA, A, B, etc.) based on the audit outcome.
Benefits of BRCGS Certification
1. Global Market Access
BRCGS certification opens doors to international trade and partnerships by aligning with GFSI-recognized food safety frameworks. It is a trusted standard for major global retailers, including Tesco, Walmart, and Carrefour, who often require BRCGS certification as a condition of doing business. For example, a certified bakery supplier can expand into EU and UK markets more easily, where stringent retailer requirements demand BRCGS compliance.
2. Risk Management
The BRCGS standard emphasizes preventive controls, robust traceability systems, and recall readiness protocols. This significantly reduces the likelihood and impact of food safety incidents. For example, in the case of a potential allergen contamination, a BRCGS-certified company would already have recall procedures and traceability mechanisms in place, minimizing risk to consumers and protecting the brand from legal and financial repercussions.
3. Operational Efficiency
Implementing BRCGS standards enhances internal workflows by encouraging structured documentation, standardized procedures, and cross-departmental collaboration. Businesses often report increased productivity and fewer non-conformities. For instance, automated monitoring systems for temperature or sanitation that meet BRCGS criteria can reduce downtime and improve audit preparedness.
4. Competitive Advantage
BRCGS certification sets businesses apart as trusted, verified suppliers who prioritize safety, quality, and transparency. This can lead to preferred supplier status with retailers and foodservice buyers. For example, a co-packer with BRCGS certification is more likely to win contracts from multinational CPG brands looking to outsource production to facilities with proven compliance.
Steps to Achieve BRCGS Certification
Follow the following 6 Steps to Achieve BRCGS Certification
- Gap Analysis
Evaluate your current systems, processes, and documentation against the requirements outlined in the relevant BRCGS standard (e.g., Food Safety, Packaging Materials). This includes reviewing your current food safety management system, facility layout, hygiene practices, and training programs. A comprehensive gap analysis provides a baseline for improvement and helps prioritize corrective actions.
- Training
Key staff should receive formal training in BRCGS requirements and internal auditing procedures. This ensures that the team understands the structure of the standard, how to interpret it, and how to apply it to daily operations. Training should be tailored to departments such as QA, production, and maintenance to align their responsibilities with compliance expectations.
- Implement System Improvements
Address the findings from the gap analysis by updating SOPs, enhancing hygiene and sanitation procedures, upgrading infrastructure if needed, and formalizing your HACCP plan. Companies must ensure proper allergen control, documentation of monitoring activities, and traceability systems. This step transforms your food safety program into one that aligns with BRCGS expectations.
- Choose a Certification Body:
Select an accredited third-party certification body authorized to conduct BRCGS audits. Consider factors like geographic coverage, industry specialization, auditor availability, and client reviews. Common certifiers include SGS, NSF International, Intertek, and Lloyd’s Register.
- Pre-assessment Audit (optional)
Many organizations opt for a voluntary pre-assessment audit to simulate the certification process and uncover potential issues in a low-risk environment. This unofficial audit helps the team prepare and build confidence before the formal assessment.
- Certification Audit
The final step involves a scheduled, formal audit performed by the selected certification body. During the audit, the auditor will review documentation, interview staff, and inspect operations to ensure conformance with all applicable clauses of the BRCGS standard. Based on performance, a grade (e.g., AA, A, B) will be assigned, and certification is issued if all non-conformities are resolved within the required timeframe.
Industries That Use BRCGS Certification
BRCGS certification is applicable across a wide array of industries within the global food and product supply chain. These sectors often require strict compliance with internationally recognized food safety and quality standards due to the complexity of their operations, regulatory scrutiny, and the high risk of contamination or mislabeling. Certification in these industries demonstrates a proactive approach to mitigating risks, enhancing operational efficiency, and maintaining consumer trust.
- Food manufacturing and processing: This sector includes companies producing ready-to-eat meals, beverages, snacks, frozen foods, and more. BRCGS certification helps them ensure consistent product safety, manage allergens, and comply with customer and retailer specifications.
- Primary agriculture and ingredient suppliers: Farms, fisheries, and raw ingredient producers (e.g., grain, spices, oils) use BRCGS certification to validate hygiene practices, traceability, and compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), often required by downstream processors and exporters.
- Consumer packaged goods (CPG): Companies involved in the production of shelf-stable products like cereals, canned goods, sauces, and non-perishable snacks benefit from BRCGS certification through streamlined supplier audits and enhanced product integrity for global distribution.
- Cold chain logistics and distribution: Providers of refrigerated and frozen storage and transport must demonstrate temperature control, contamination prevention, and traceability. BRCGS certification ensures that these critical links in the supply chain meet food safety and quality expectations.
- Packaging and labeling companies: Suppliers of primary packaging materials, especially those that directly contact food, use BRCGS Packaging Materials Certification to validate material safety, cleanliness, and labeling accuracy, minimizing risks of contamination or allergen mislabeling.
BRCGS vs. Other Certifications
| Certification | Scope | GFSI Recognized? |
|---|---|---|
| BRCGS | Food safety, packaging, storage, and agents/brokers | Yes |
| SQF | Food safety and quality for farm-to-fork operations | Yes |
| FSSC 22000 | ISO-based food safety systems for manufacturing | Yes |
Many companies choose BRCGS for its comprehensive structure, retailer recognition, and focus on continual improvement.
Final Thoughts
BRCGS certification is not only a badge of compliance—it’s a proactive investment in food safety, brand reputation, and global trade readiness. It demonstrates that an organization is committed to the highest levels of safety, quality, and legal conformance across its operations. By adopting BRCGS standards, companies integrate internationally recognized best practices into their workflows, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and risk prevention.
Whether you’re a manufacturer producing ready-to-eat meals, a distributor handling cold chain logistics, or a packaging supplier responsible for direct food contact materials, BRCGS certification strengthens your credibility with customers, regulators, and business partners. It can streamline supplier qualification processes, attract major retail contracts, and provide peace of mind in regulatory inspections. In an increasingly competitive and regulated market, BRCGS certification is not just a nice-to-have—it’s a strategic advantage that builds long-term resilience and trust.
