BRCGS

BRCGS is a global brand and consumer protection organisation with over 30,000 sites in 130+ countries. The BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety, now in its eighth issue, is well-established globally and has evolved with input from many leading global specifiers. A supplier holding this certification is able to offer the buyer due diligence assurance of quality, safety, compliance with legal obligations and, in turn, protection for the end consumer.

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) operates an international system that determines equivalency between various international food safety certification programmes.  The BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety was the first standard to be GFSI-benchmarked. BRCGS START! is aligned with GFSI Global Markets programme and provides a recognised stepping-stone towards certification to the full Standard.

BRCGS audits are carried out by a global network of highly trained certification bodies. Successful applicants and participants to this program will be supported to implement BRCGS Standards, with a view to independently engaging a certification body to conduct an audit. BRCGS certified sites can; -

• Demonstrate that the food or drink product has been produced and processed appropriately for safe consumption by consumers
• Demonstrate robust traceability and supply chain risk assessment processes to minimise several risks including risk of food fraud.
• Demonstrate that the business operates to a good practice in terms of management commitment, process and product flow, factory environment, construction, and maintenance,
• Have competent trained staff and appropriate assessment and management of risks
• Demonstrate that the above attributes have been independently audited on a regular (typically annual) basis by an approved accredited food certification body.

Scotland Food & Drink has invested in a collective public-sector Export Plan and in a UK Market Development Strategy which is helping Scottish food and drink businesses expand in Scotland, across the UK and into international markets.

This Accreditation Programme is designed to enhance market opportunities for food and drink producers and suppliers.

Applications are invited from businesses aiming to achieve the BRCGS Standard either directly or via the BRCGS START! program. This opportunity is appropriate for all food and drink categories.

The opportunity is time-limited and shall not extend beyond 12 months from the start date given. During this time businesses will be supported towards making a final application to BRCGS within 12-18 months.

It is important to note the programme is to steer the businesses to the point of making an audit-ready final application to a BRCGS certification body. The programme will provide expert support and guidance, but success will be dependent on the response from the business itself, a successful application leading to accreditation is not automatic.

Typically, the cost the of BRCGS audit is in the region £2,350 depending on the scale and complexity of the business. This is not covered in the accreditation support programme and will have to be paid by the business making the application.

Scotland Food & Drink will fund SALSA (on behalf of BRCGS) to work closely with you up to the point you are able to make a confident audit ready application. This includes 3.5 days of technical support with a dedicated mentor who is fully trained and experienced in implementing BRCGS Standards. As a result, you will have a comprehensive BRCGS gap analysis and action plan to support your sites further development.

Businesses will be required to make a one-off contribution of £1,250 to participate in the programme. 

For Scotland Food & Drink member organisations the one-off cost is £550.

For Scotland Food & Drink members it is estimated this represents approximately a 25% contribution from businesses to the actual cost of the support provided.

If successfully certified to BRCGS Standards, there are likely to be some costs to maintain accreditation in the future.  Advice can be given on the likely implications of this for the business, on-going support and costs are not funded.