What Does BRCGS Stand for (and Why Is It Important?)

What Does BRCGS Stand for (and Why Is It Important?)

Do you work in the food retail industry in the UK or in another country?

If so, it’s important that you have an understanding of BRCGS and its regulations. What does BRCGS stand for? What do you need to know about the organization?

Read on to learn everything you need to know about BRCGS.

What Does BRCGS Stand For?

BRCGS stands for the Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards. Formerly known as the British Retail Consortium, BRCGS is a UK trade association created in 1992 that publishes standards for best practices in the food and manufacturing industries.

The organization also publishes recycling standards for the United Kingdom. While the organization is based in the UK, over 29,000 food suppliers in over 130 countries use the association’s standards and best practices. Certification through the BRCGS is issued via a global network of accredited certifying bodies.

What to Know About BRCGS Standards

The standards set forth by the BRCGS guarantee standardization in terms of safety, quality, and operational criteria. The standards also ensure that manufacturers fulfill their legal obligations and offer protection to the end consumer.

Many leading retailers are now required to use BRCGS certification, especially in the manufacturing and food-service industry. The standard requirements help ensure that organizations create safe environments for producing products.

All of BRCGS’s standards are approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). The Global Food Safety Initiative is a private organization that was established in 2000 under Belgian law and is managed by the Consumer Goods Forum. The GFSI maintains a list of benchmark food safety standards for manufacturers and farmers.

Over 16,000 organizations worldwide are certified according to the BRCGS Global Standards for Food Safety. To get your organization on this coveted list, you need to put together a management system that addresses all the requirements and work with a certification body to be audited.

Once you pass the audit, your organization can become certified. To keep your certification in good standing, you’ll need to maintain your health and safety standards and undergo regular auditing.

What are the Benefits of BRCGS Certification?

So, why should your organization bother to get BRCGS certified?

The main benefit of certification is that it allows you to guarantee a higher level of product safety for your customers. This can improve your brand reputation and trust.

Certification means you uphold your organization to the highest standards regarding:

  • Product safety
  • Food safety and quality
  • Material handling
  • Complaint handling
  • Packaging materials
  • Protective clothing
  • Personal hygiene
  • Medical screening
  • Control of operations
  • Corrective actions
  • Supplier approval

To prepare for BRCGS certification, it’s recommended that you work with a BRCGS approved training partner.

Are You Ready for BRCGS Certification?

Now that you’ve read this article, it’s time to decide if your company is ready to become BRCGS-certified. As you can see, there are many benefits to certification, and having the BRCGS stamp of approval can go a long way in terms of customer trust.

Check back in with our blog for more tips on how to improve your food or manufacturing business.

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