An Overview of BRC Certification in India

The full version of BRC in the Certification is the British Retail Consortium. It is a British trade organisation that was established by the UK food retail sector in January 1992 after the British Retailers' Association and the Retail Consortium merged. BRC released the initial iteration of the food safety standard in 1998. The suppliers of the world who are prepared to supply food items to retailers situated in Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America, including Sainsbury, Tesco, and other states, must meet the numerous standards specified by the British Retail Consortium.

The international standards for food safety were created by the British Retail Consortium, which represents merchants based in the UK. The BRC Global Standard for Food Safety is the most well-known of these standards, and food suppliers from all over the world, notably those involved in selling food items to shops situated in the United Kingdom, must accept and adhere to it.

For businesses that sell food goods, IAS offers BRC Certification in India and other nations in accordance with the BRC Technical Standard.

Based on the defined quality management system that is acknowledged by the British Retail Consortium, IAS grants the BRC accreditation in India. Individuals examine the organisation's provided documentation for compliance with the established standards/criteria before awarding the certification. The criteria are revised on a regular basis, encouraging organisations to modernise their systems.

For three years, the BRC Certificate is valid. The primary goal of the BRC Certification is to guarantee that all products are produced in a HACCP-compliant environment. 

Benefits of BRC Certification for Indian Food Companies

The BRC Certification for food organisations in India has the following advantages:

• Recognition on a global scale.
• All retail customers accept it.
• GFSI has approved the plan.
• A methodical strategy to satisfy the criterion for food safety.
• Enhancing the product's quality and safety.
• Respect with all legal and regulatory standards.
• The capacity to minimise customer and outside audit.
• GMP requirements are managed systematically (programme prerequisites).
• Can assist in locating process enhancements and decreased customer complaints.
• Decreases the possibility of a product recall and negative publicity while also providing proof of thorough diligence.

Protocols & Standard Set by BRC

For suppliers, packaging methods and materials, food storage and distribution, agents, brokers, and retail, BRC offers standards and protocols. 

• In 1998, BRC released the first edition of the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety.
• In 2000, BRC released the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety, which is recognised by the GFSI.
• In 2001, BRC released the BRC Global Standard for packaging techniques and supplies.
• In 2003, BRC made available BRC Global Standard for Consumer Products Issue 4.
• Storage and Distribution Issue 3 BRC Global Standard was made available by BRC in 2006.
• In 2014, BRC made available the BRC Global Standard for Agents and Brokers.
• In 2016, BRC offered the BRC Global Standard for Retail.

Different Standards available for BRC Certification

For BRC Certification, the following standards are available:

• Issue 7 of the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety: It was initially released in 1998. The initial benchmarked standard and top food safety certification standard for BRC Certification is the BRC Global Standard for the Purpose of Food Safety.
• Issue 5 of the BRC Global Standards for Packaging Materials: The BRC Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials is the first packaging standard in the world. The benchmarking committee for the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has approved of it.
• Issue 3 of the BRC Global Standards for Storage and Distribution: One of the baseline standards for the GFSI is the BRC Global Standard for Storage and Distribution. Issue 3, the most recent issue, was released in August 2016. 
• Global Agent and Broker Code (BRC): The BRC Global Standard for the Agents and Brokers in the Food and Packaging Industries offers a framework for controlling product safety, quality, and legality for the agent and broker enterprises in these sectors.
• Customer goods: Issue 4 of the Consumer Products Standards was released for the first time in 2016. By creating two distinct standards, it was once more changed to acknowledge the range of goods contained in the Consumer Products.

Global Standard for Consumer Products: 

1. For General Merchandise; 
2. For Use in Personal Care and Household Purpose.

At either the Foundation level or a higher level, all of the provided standards are eligible for BRC Certification.

• Retail: In 2016, the BRC Global Standard for Retail was released. It offers BRC certification to businesses involved in the retail sale of food items.
• Certification pursuant to BRC Food Safety Issue 8: In India, Corpbiz is the top authority on BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 8. The BRC Food Issue 8 Certification includes examining and creating documents for BRC Food Issue 8 confirmation, as well as incremental implementation of the sanitary framework inside the food associations. The internationally recognised Certifying Body, which is authorised to provide a declaration under the BRC Global Standard for Sanitation provide 8, issues the BRC Food Issue 8 Certificate. 

For a period of three years following the successful conclusion of pre-appraisal and enlistment (final) evaluation, the BRC Food Issue 8 authentications are granted. Depending on the association's size and character, observation evaluations are conducted by the certifying body every three years, either at intervals of months, nine months, or a year. Reestablishment review is completed for a new multiyear cycle after an endless supply of three years.

For varied food safety standard certification and BRC Food Issue 8 certification. We have a team of skilled BRC Food Issue 8 Consultants at Corpbiz who have implemented the sanitation framework for clients all throughout India.

What procedures must be followed to achieve the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety?

The steps to obtain the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety are as follows:

• The first step for the business is to buy or download the original standard copy of the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 8 from the website.
• The applicant must then examine the deficiencies and do a thorough analysis of the current system.
• The applicant must investigate any potential dangers to food safety and related legal requirements.
• The applicant must perform the HACCP process (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) and produce a report on it, or HACCP Report.
• A food safety and quality handbook must be created by the applicant.
• Define the BRC Certification's scope, policy, and goal.
• All of the hired staff should receive training on the procedures, and it should be ensured that they are used.
• Make a list of all the documents that are necessary.
• Teach the employees how to recognise and manage any associated dietary risks and hazards.
• Choose the audit category and timeframe that you want to use.
• Make an effort to train the internal audits.
• Perform the initial internal audit and evaluate the system with it.
• Make the necessary adjustments to the non-conformities.
• Submit the BRC Certificate application.
• Perform the initial internal audit and evaluate the system with it.
• Take the necessary action in response to the system's or the authority's suggestions.
• The certifying body will then conduct the final audit.
• If they recommend any adjustments, implement them within 28 calendar days following the audit's conclusion.
• The certificate must be obtained within 42 calendar days.
• Ensure that the name is included on the BRC directory and that the BRC Certificate is registered with the grade attained.

What criteria are taken into account when awarding the BRC certification?

The BRC worldwide standard is written in straightforward English, making it simple for clients to apply.  To obtain the certificate of BRC food safety (Issue 8) and BRC IoP (Issue 6) standard for packaging companies, the standards specified below must be met. 

The seven standards that should be taken into account when awarding BRC Certification are as follows:

• Senior Management Support: It entails both ongoing progress and the dedication of senior management. In essence, the senior management must pledge their dedication to overseeing and enhancing the institute's food safety procedure.
• HACCP Plan: By performing a hazard analysis of the chemical, allergic, biological, and other risks and hazards from the very beginning of the raw material to the finished product, the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point manages food safety. It also entails different measures for correcting items that don't adhere to basic standards, documentation, document and procedure verification, oversight of the relevant institutions, and maintaining a record of all activities.
• Management system for ensuring food safety and quality: The maker must ensure that it is taking all necessary steps to offer safe food and meet customer expectations.
• Application Site Standards: The location of the food manufacturer must adhere to all guidelines established by the BRC Certification authorities. The production, storage, and cleaning of the food must all adhere to the tight guidelines set forth by the authorities.
• Product Management: The makers must make sure that they are controlling the allergies and doing product testing in order to receive a good grade and pass the auditing exam.
• Process Management: The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) strategy must be followed by the holder or applicant starting on the first day and continuing every day until the final product is produced. The administration of raw materials, cleaning, production, assembling, and packing are all included in this process. This standard guarantees that the producer is creating high-quality, secure items.
• Personnel: This standard is all about maintaining control over the activities carried out by factory workers. This standard covers the workers' appropriate attire, hygiene, and training in the manufacturing unit. During the manufacturing and packaging processes, the applicant or holder of the BRC Certificate must ensure that the working professionals have access to all the tools required by the authorities.

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