Food safety is a vital factor in a food supply chain. Therefore, identifying the food producers that abide by the specific packaging material standards plays a prime role in ensuring food safety and hygiene. It also displays the reliability of a trusted supplier. The BRCGS Global Standard for Food Packaging Materials helps the different global brands demonstrate their updated packaging measures. The brands can deliver the best solution by providing products that are quality-assured, legally compliant, and follow the quality norms.

What is BRCGS Certification? 

BRC, or British Retail Consortium, was founded in 1996. It was founded by retailers willing to harmonize food safety standards across the food supply chain. In the current times, BRCGS has become a leading global brand. The consumer protection scheme under BRCGS is recognized by thousands of customers across the globe. BRCGS Packaging Materials can develop confidence in the supply chain.

It is easy to achieve by certifying the packaging producers in the food industry. The standard defines the ideal measures to conform the product safety and quality. There are various obligations with regard to legal compliance and consumer protection. One needs to follow a systematic approach to achieve a BRCGS certification for packaging and packaging materials. It is vital to assess the company’s premises, operational systems, and procedures. The assessment reports are checked against the requirements of the standard by the certification body.

A global choice

BRCGS was established in the UK in 1996, and since then, BRCGS has grown into a global brand. The certification program provides certifications for the leading retailers, producers, and food service companies across the world. In fact, 70% of the top 10 global retailers make it obligatory to produce a BRCGS certification before accepting a product in the stores.

Develop client trust

How can one rely on a brand? The certification defines the reliability of a brand. Determine the capabilities of food suppliers, brand owners, retailers, food service companies, and manufacturers with the help of the BRCGS certification. Whether it is a local brand or a global name, choosing a BRCGS-certified packaging producer can ease the needs. It will help you earn the trust of clients in your products. Associating with a BRCGS-certified packaging producer facilitates product enhancement with maximized safety and waste reduction. It also reduces the number of complaints and returns.

Enhanced marketing prospects

Brands can leverage the benefits of the BRCGS certification by using the framework as a positive marketing tool. It is critical to show customers that the product exhibits the best quality packaging and is compliant with the widely acknowledged food safety regulations. Brands can display the BRCGS Certificated logo on public-facing credentials. It can be anything, such as – packaging, websites, online content, and promotional materials. Companies with a BRCGS certification appear on the BRCGS Directory as well.

Prime aspects of BRCGS – Ease the implementation steps.

The BRCGS framework is efficient and effective. It covers several areas of food safety services. The prime aspects include – 

1. High-level management and development for product safety 
2. Hazard analysis and critical control points or HACCP with a food safety strategy 
3. QMS or quality management systems 
4. Environmental and operational settings
5. Improvement of food fraud prevention systems 
6. Operational systems for product security and food defense  
7. Identification and management of risk zones 

Packing and certification – The link

The Global Standard for Packaging Materials was developed in 2001. It was designed to protect consumers by offering a mutual basis for the certification of an organization, supplying packaging to different food producers. The standard defines the ideal practices for product safety, quality, and operational criteria.

All these are critical to maintain within a packaging manufacturing organization. It helps ensure optimal packaging quality. It is critical to achieve a BRCGS certification for packaging materials, and it involves the assessment of a company’s premises, operational systems, and procedures. All these need to be assessed against the prime requirements of the standard with the help of an annual audit conducted by the certification body. Since its inception, the globally recognized standard has been updated frequently.

The updates are vital to reflect the latest improvements and inputs in product safety. After several updates, the framework provides a robust solution. It is necessary to manage the product quality and maintain legal compliance. In the current business scenario, BRCGS has been considered ideal for packaging and packaging materials by many brand owners, retailers, and manufacturers worldwide. It eases the need for assessing the capabilities of the suppliers.

Get certified – Know the steps.

Acquiring the certification is a multi-step process. Research is the fundamental step.

1. Visit the official BRCGS website and download the standard. It is vital to download the Interpretation Guidelines to ease the understanding of the standard.
2. Realize the scope and requirements of the standard. Attending the BRCGS educational course can provide optimal clarity and direction.
3. Self-assessment against the requirements of the standard is vital to determine whether your organization is ready for a BRC audit. BRGCS consists of a self-assessment tool on the website. Additionally, you can seek help from experts to gain an overview of the audit requirements.
4. Organize a BRCGS audit with an industrially registered Certification Body. The Certification Body can the BRCGS audit at your facility. It is critical to verify whether your operations meet the norms of the standard. Based on the assessment, you can audit a report that identifies the non-conformities.
5. If your organization can complete the audit optimally and address the non-conformities, it will be easy to acquire the certification. 

A cost-effective decision to think of!

The BRCGS guidelines are comprehensive and cost-efficient. Earning the certification is not a one-step process! Invest time and resources in the diverse aspects related to food safety. Focus on training and other Food Safety Certificate requirements. Implement the ideal methods of product safety management at the facility by selecting the correct path. Do not worry about the expenditure. Avoid expensive fines for the legal hazard related to food safety failures. Reduce food waste, meal comps, and their accompanying costs to make a comprehensive choice for all.