The revised and updated Global Standard for Food Safety and Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials will be released in early January.
The BRC says its Global Standards “help suppliers secure and maintain business with retailers by providing a framework to demonstrate they are achieving the levels of quality and safety required by retailers and meeting the legal requirements of the markets they serve”.
Both the food safety and packaging and packaging materials standards were originally created to establish requirements for suppliers of food and food packaging to UK retailers. They are now supported by many major retailers worldwide and have been adopted by some 10,000 businesses in over 80 countries. Certification to the BRC Global Standards verifies technical performance, aids manufacturers’ fulfilment of legal obligations and helps provide protection to consumers, says the Consortium.
The updated and revised standards, developed after extensive consultation, include: “clearer, more detailed requirements”, “increased emphasis on senior management demonstrating commitment to the aim of achieving a satisfactory quality management system”, greater focus on analysis of potential hazards, and new, specially designed training courses. In addition the scope of the Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials has been expanded to cover packaging for all types of goods, and not just food.
For more information visit: www.brc.org.uk/standards
