BRCNormen

BRCNormen are a family of international standards for food safety, packaging, storage and distribution, and consumer products. They were originally developed by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and are now maintained by BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards). The standards aim to ensure the safety, quality, and legality of products throughout the supply chain and to provide retailers with a common framework for supplier qualification.

The main BRC Global Standards cover the Global Standard for Food Safety, Packaging Materials, Storage and Distribution, and Consumer Products. They are applicable to manufacturers, packaging converters, distributors, and other entities in the supply chain. The frameworks require a recognized quality management system, hazard analysis and HACCP, prerequisite programs, traceability, product safety, quality management, supplier controls, and measures for recall and withdrawal.

Certification and auditing: Certification is achieved through independent, third-party audits conducted by accredited bodies. Audits may be scheduled or unannounced, depending on the standard and agreement. Non-conformities are recorded and require corrective actions; minor issues may be closed during the audit, while major non-conformities require action plans before certification is granted or continued. Certification is typically valid for about one year, with surveillance audits to maintain status and recertification prompted by significant changes or at the end of the cycle.

Impact and recognition: BRCNormen are widely adopted by retailers and brand owners worldwide and are benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative. Compliance helps ensure consistency across suppliers, supports recall readiness, and facilitates market access, particularly in Europe and Asia.