BRC Food and Packaging System Certification Consultancy in India

Overview of BRC Global Standards

In 1998 the British Retail Consortium (BRC), responding to industry needs, developed and introduced the BRC Food Technical Standard to be used to evaluate manufacturers of retailers' own brand food products. It is designed to assist retailers and brand owners produce food products of consistent safety and quality and assist with their 'due diligence' defence, should they be subject to a prosecution by the enforcement authorities. Under European Union (EU) food laws, retailers and brand owners have a legal responsibility for their brands.

BRC Food Standard was published first, and then the BRC published the first issue of the Packaging Standard in 2002, followed by Consumer Products Standard in August 2003, and finally the BRC Global Standard - Storage and Distribution, in August 2006. In 2009, the BRC partnered with the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) to develop the Global Standard for Consumer Products- North America edition. Each of these Standards is regularly reviewed, revised and updated at least every 3 years, after extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.

Currently four BRC standards are in practice:

1. BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9
2. BRC Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Material Issue 6
3. BRC Global Standard for Storage and Distribution Issue 3
4. BRC Global Standard for Consumer Products Issue 4

BRC Food Safety Issue 9 Certification

Punyam.com is the largest and the best consultant for BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 9 certification in India. The BRCGS Food Issue 9 Certification includes step-by-step implementation of the food safety system within the food organizations, food safety training for awareness as well as auditing and preparing documentation for BRC Food Safety Issue 9 certification. The BRC Food Issue 9 Certificate is issued by globally recognized Certifying Body, which is accredited to provide certificate under the BRC Global standard for food safety issue 9. The BRC Food Issue 9 certificate is issued for the period of 3 years after successful completion of pre-assessment and registration (final) assessment. Surveillance audits are conducted by the Certifying Body within the period of 3 years, at the intervals of 6 months, 9 months or 12 months depending upon the nature and size of the organization. Upon completion of 3 years, renewal audit is done for new 3 year-cycle.

For BRCGS Food Safety Issue 9 certification and other foods safety standard certification, Punyam is having a team of experienced BRC Food Issue 9 Consultant who have implemented the food safety system for more than 100 satisfied clients across India.

Steps of BRC Food Issue 9 Consultancy by Punyam.com

• Procurement of the original copy of the standard.
• Micro-level survey of the existing system.
• Form a steering committee and task-force for hazard study and documentation. Carry out HACCP analysis and prepare HACCP plan.
• Prepare the BRC Food Issue 9 documents (Manual, Procedure, templates).
• Conduct awareness program (top + middle + bottom level).
• Define policy and establish objectives.
• Implementation and training of all personnel in the use of procedures and formats.
• Provide training to employees related to food safety hazards identification evaluation and control.
• Self assessment of the food safety system.
• Train internal auditors.
• Assess the system through first internal audit.
• Take corrective actions for non-conformities.
• Apply for certification.
• Assess the system through second round of internal audit.
• Avail pre-certification audit of certifying body.(Optional).
• Take actions on suggestions given by them.
• Final audit by certifying body.
• Submit the corrective actions to certifying body within 28 calendar days.
• Get the certification within 42 calendar days.
• Get BRC certified with achieved grade and get the name listed on BRC directory.

Benefits of the BRC Certification in India for Food Organizations

• International recognition,
• Scheme approved by GFSI,
• Accepted by all the retail customers,
• Improves the safety and quality of your product,
• Conformance to legal and regulatory requirements,
• Systematic approach to meet the requirement for food safety,
• The ability to reduce the customer and third-party audit,
• Systematic management of GMP requirements (prerequisite programs),
• Can help identify process improvements and reduced customer complaints,
• Provides evidence of due diligence and reduces the likelihood of product recall and adverse publicity.

Requirements of BRC Food and BRC Packaging Standards

BRC global standard is written in plain English so easy to understand to implement by the client. Below listed requirements need to be implemented to get the certificate of BRCGS food safety (Issue 9) and BRC IoP (Issue 6) standard for packaging companies. In each of the below listed requirements, there are many sub-requirements.

• Senior management commitment
• The food safety plan – HACCP
• Food safety and Quality management system
• Site standards
• Product and process control
• Personnel and training.