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In relations between suppliers and retail chains, the term ‘BRC certificate’ is increasingly being cited as a prerequisite for establishing or maintaining a business relationship. For many companies, this is their first encounter with the BRCGS system – an extensive family of standards that has been setting global requirements for food, packaging and consumer product safety for over twenty years. This article explains what the system is, how it is structured and which areas of business it covers.
The BRC standard was developed in 1998 by the British Retail Consortium – an organisation representing British and European retailers, including major supermarket chains. The original aim was to create a uniform tool for auditing suppliers of food products sold under the chains’ own brands (private label). Over time, the standard gained global reach and underwent significant evolution – both in terms of substantive requirements and branding. In 2019, the organisation rebranded as BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards), emphasising that certification is not merely a control tool but an element of brand reputation management across the entire supply chain.
Today, over 30,000 facilities in more than 130 countries hold BRCGS certificates. The standard is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), which means it is mutually recognised by other GFSI-benchmarked standards, such as IFS Food and FSSC 22000. In practice, this translates into one of the key criteria for supplier qualification in international retail chains.
The foundation of each BRCGS standard is a combination of four elements:
Certification is carried out by accredited certification bodies and results in the award of a rating at one of the following levels: AA+, AA, A+, A, B+, B, C+ or C. The certificate is valid for 12 months (for ratings of A and above) or 6 months (for ratings of B and C), after which a re-audit is required.
The BRCGS system is not a single document, but a family of separate standards, each of which addresses a specific segment of the supply chain. The choice of the appropriate standard depends on the company’s business profile.
1. BRCGS Food Safety (Global Standard for Food Safety)
The most widely recognised and most widely used standard within the system. It is aimed at food manufacturers – including both processors and businesses involved in the packaging and preparation of food products, particularly those supplying products under retail chains’ own-brand labels. The current version is Issue 9, which places particular emphasis on food safety culture, allergen management, product integrity and the prevention of food fraud.
2. BRCGS Packaging Materials (Global Standard for Packaging Materials)
A standard for manufacturers of packaging materials – including packaging in direct contact with food (films, bottles, cans, trays), as well as secondary packaging (bulk cartons, labels) and components (inks, adhesives). From 28 April 2025, Issue 7 – the latest edition of the standard – comes into force, introducing significant changes to hazard analysis and risk assessment (HARA), extends the scope of certification to include biodegradable, compostable and digitally printed packaging, and modifies the audit protocol, introducing, among other things, the option of a blended announced audit with a remote assessment component.
3. BRCGS Storage & Distribution
A standard designed for logistics operators involved in the storage and distribution of food, packaging and consumer goods. It covers requirements relating to storage conditions, temperature control, the hygiene of transport vehicles and pest management. It is particularly relevant for cold storage companies, high-bay warehouse operators and distributors operating within the food supply chain.
4. BRCGS Consumer Products
A standard for manufacturers of non-food products intended directly for the end consumer: cosmetics, cleaning products, textiles, stationery, toys, small household appliances and glassware. Unlike food standards, BRCGS Consumer Products does not have GFSI recognition, but is increasingly required by retailers as confirmation of the safety and legal compliance of non-food products.
5. BRCGS Agents & Brokers
A standard aimed at companies operating as intermediaries and commercial agents – entities that do not manufacture, process or store products on their own premises, but buy and sell them on behalf of others. The standard verifies supplier approval procedures, document management and product traceability within the supply chain.
System BRCGS (potocznie określany jako BRC) to dziś jeden z najszerzej uznawanych na świecie mechanizmów weryfikacji bezpieczeństwa i jakości produktów w łańcuchu dostaw. Niezależnie od tego, czy przedsiębiorstwo produkuje żywność, opakowania, artykuły kosmetyczne czy pośredniczy w handlu – dla każdego z tych profili działalności istnieje dedykowany standard. Certyfikacja BRCGS jest równocześnie wymogiem rynkowym stawianym przez detalistów i narzędziem wewnętrznego doskonalenia organizacji, które przekłada się na ograniczenie ryzyka, poprawę procesów i wiarygodność wobec partnerów handlowych na rynkach globalnych.
The BRCGS scheme (commonly referred to as BRC) is today one of the world’s most widely recognised mechanisms for verifying product safety and quality within the supply chain. Whether a company manufactures food, packaging or cosmetics, or acts as a distributor, there is a dedicated standard for each of these business profiles. BRCGS certification is both a market requirement set by retailers and a tool for internal organisational improvement, which translates into risk reduction, process improvement and enhanced credibility with trading partners in global markets.
DJB DORADZTWO
Marcin Chorąży
