Safety and quality for food producers and suppliers
Safety and quality for food producers and suppliers
BRC certification is a global food safety standard issued by the British Retail Consortium. It ensures food manufacturers meet strict requirements for safety, quality, and operational control. Companies gain BRC certification to prove compliance with international standards and to build trust with retailers and consumers.
Originally developed and published in 1998, the British Retail Consortium Global Standards (BRCGS) specify safety, quality and operational criteria for food producers and suppliers. Used worldwide, the standards are recognized by the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative), which aims to reduce the need for multiple supplier audits by harmonizing international food safety standards. BRC standards are accepted by many of the world’s largest retail groups, manufacturers, and food service organizations providing an international mark of excellence for the certificate holder.
For over 25 years, BRCGS has led the way in setting standards, providing the most rigorous third-party certification schemes to deliver reliable results. BRCGS certification ensures supply chain confidence, safeguarding both safety and quality to protect consumers. As the most recognized certification across food and non-food sectors, it is accepted globally by brands, retailers and specifiers. With more than 35,000 certificated sites in over 130 countries, BRCGS offers trusted assurance of product integrity and is often the preferred choice for GFSI-benchmarked certification.
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BRCGS deliver confidence across the entire supply chain by guaranteeing the standardization of quality, safety and operational principles. By setting the benchmark for excellent manufacturing practice, they provide assurance to customers that products are safe, legal and of high quality.
With food safety a global priority for consumers and governments, the food supply chain must comply with regulations through appropriate testing and certification while managing cost and time pressures. Consequently, increasing numbers of retailers and food service providers requires suppliers to be certified to a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) approved scheme.
Five-star service: Licensed by the BRC as an approved Certification Body (CB) to audit against the relevant BRC Global Standards, TÜV SÜD consistently achieves a five-star rating1 - the highest possible.
Years of experience: TÜV SÜD has more than 15 years’ experience in food and feed management system certification and was one of the first certification bodies in this field.
International presence: TÜV SÜD’s global network of auditors provides the assurance that a formalized and structured approach to attaining certification is applied without bias, ensuring that audit approaches are consistent, regardless of product or country of production.
Expert partnership: With in-depth experience in food testing, inspection, auditing and certification, TÜV SÜD is globally recognized as a trusted brand throughout the food industry value chain.
Dedicated account manager: Benefit from a single point of contact with your dedicated TÜV SÜD account manager who ensures your audit project is managed efficiently and delivered on time.
TÜV SÜD is a BRC Global Standards Compliance Auditor for:
The BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety (formerly known as BRC Food) is an internationally recognized food safety management system standard developed by BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards). It sets out requirements for food manufacturers to ensure the safety, quality, and legality of their products and the integrity of their operations.
The standard applies to processed food manufacturing, the preparation of retailer-branded products, branded food products, and food or ingredients for use by food service companies, catering companies and food manufacturers.
BRCGS for Packaging Materials applies to the manufacture of food packaging and packaging materials. It is designed to ensure the quality, safety, and legality of packaging materials used for food, consumer products, cosmetics, and other goods. The standard cannot be applied to packaging or materials that are not processed at the audited site, or to activities relating to wholesale, importation, distribution or storage outside the direct control of the company.
This standard applies to companies providing storage and distribution services, including contracted services and a wholesale business where the storage and distribution facilities are under its direct control. It provides a framework to manage product safety, quality, and legality for companies involved in the storage, transportation, and distribution of goods — whether food, packaging, or consumer products.
The BRCGS Agents and Brokers Standard applies to companies in the food or food packaging supply chain involved in purchasing, importing, or distributing products. It provides a framework to ensure product safety, authenticity, and traceability by:
Improve food safety & quality – Implements effective systems for monitoring and controlling production processes ensuring higher product safety and quality standards.
Save money - Minimizes the risk of costly recalls, product rejections, and associated legal issues.
Improve brand reputation & consumer trust: Demonstrates compliance with a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-benchmarked standard building confidence among consumers, suppliers, and buyers, reinforcing brand integrity.
Access major markets – Many retailers and food service providers require BRC certification making it a prerequisite for entering new markets and securing partnerships with larger companies.
Strengthen supplier partnerships – By adopting industry best practices and ensuring product safety, BRC certification can improve relationships and terms with suppliers.
Improve operations – Encourages disciplined workflows, documentation and accountability across the business, not just for food safety.
Achieve audit readiness for other standards – Provides a strong foundation for other GFSI-recognized standards (e.g. SQF or FSSC 22000) and regulatory inspections.
Support marketing efforts – Showcase your certification on packaging and materials to highlight your commitment to quality.
Increase visibility of your business in the BRCGS supplier directory – All certificated sites appear in the directory used by brands and retailers for supplier selection.
Reduce audit burden and costs – add additional modules to include requirements that previously needed a separate audit such as second-party audits.
Get started with TÜV SÜD - Start your BRC certification journey with us today.
BRC stands for British Retail Consortium, a trade association representing UK retailers. The BRC created the BRC Global Standards (BRCGS), which are internationally recognized certifications for food safety, packaging, storage, and distribution. Companies use BRC standards to demonstrate compliance, improve quality, and ensure consumer protection.
The purpose of BRC certification is to ensure food safety, quality, and legal compliance across the supply chain. It provides a standardized framework for manufacturers to manage risks, reduce recalls, and protect consumers. Retailers and suppliers use BRC certification to verify that businesses meet consistent global safety standards.
The main benefits of BRC certification include improved food safety, global retailer acceptance, and stronger consumer trust. Certification helps businesses meet legal requirements, reduce product recalls, and streamline audits. It also enhances brand reputation, supports international trade, and demonstrates a company’s commitment to consistent quality and safety standards.
The benefits of BRC Certification go beyond simply meeting a standard — they touch on compliance, market access, efficiency, and reputation. The following are some of the main advantages:
A. Market Access and Customer Requirements
B. Risk Management and Food Safety
C. Regulatory and Legal Compliance
D. Brand Protection and Consumer Confidence
E. Operational Efficiency and Continuous Improvement
F. Competitive Advantage
The main difference between BRC, FSSC, and SQF certification is their focus and recognition. BRC emphasizes retailer-driven standards for food safety and quality. FSSC 22000 builds on ISO standards with global recognition from GFSI. SQF is widely used in North America and emphasizes detailed food safety and quality programs.
|
Feature |
BRCGS |
FSSC 22000 |
SQF |
|
Origin |
UK (retailer-driven) |
Netherlands (ISO-based) |
Australia/USA (retailer-driven) |
|
Focus |
Food safety + quality |
Food safety (ISO framework) |
Food safety + optional quality |
|
Approach |
Prescriptive, detailed |
Flexible, risk-based, ISO integration |
Structured, stepwise (levels/codes) |
|
Global Recognition |
Strong in UK/EU & global trade |
Very strong worldwide |
Very strong in U.S. & North America |
|
Audit Style |
Checklist-driven |
Systems-based (ISO model) |
Detailed, system + quality optional |
|
Best Fit For |
Companies supplying UK/EU retail |
Companies already using ISO systems |
Suppliers to U.S. retailers and brands |
In Summary:
The BRC certification process entails a gap analysis, implementation of food safety and quality systems, and an on-site audit by an accredited body, such as TÜV SÜD. Companies prepare documentation, train staff, and align operations with BRC standards. Successful audits lead to certification, which requires annual renewal to maintain compliance and retailer approval.
Conducted by an independent, accredited certification body such as TÜV SÜD. Includes:
Duration depends on site size, complexity, and product categories.
The main difference between BRC and HACCP is scope. HACCP is a risk management system that identifies and controls food safety hazards. BRC is a broader certification standard that incorporates HACCP principles but also requires quality management, site standards, product control, and regular audits for global retailer acceptance.
The cost of BRC certification depends on company size, site complexity, and auditor fees. Additional expenses include staff training, system implementation, and corrective actions. Annual renewal and audit costs apply, making total investment variable but necessary for global retailer acceptance and compliance.
BRC certification is needed by food manufacturers, packaging producers, storage and distribution providers, and suppliers in the retail supply chain. Retailers often require certification from their suppliers to ensure consistent food safety and quality. Companies seeking international market access also pursue BRC certification for global recognition and compliance.
The key difference is that BRC (British Retail Consortium) is the original name for the organization that created the global standards, while BRCGS (BRC Global Standards) is the current name for the brand and its globally recognized suite of standards for food and non-food supply chains. “BRC” is still used but the organization officially uses the acronym BRCGS.
Our independent and qualified auditors will apply the following auditing techniques:
If your organization wants to demonstrate a commitment to quality processes and continual improvement so you can get access to top retailers, BRC certification can play an important role.
BRCGS recommend that you engage with your chosen certification body as early in the process as you can.
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