BRCGS Food Safety Certification
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BRCGS food certification is carried out against the BRCGS Food Safety standard, a leading global brand recognised by thousands of customers worldwide. It has certificated over 18,000 suppliers in more than 100 countries around the globe. It was also the first Food Safety Standard to be benchmarked by the GFSI.
BRCGS Agents and Brokers |
Kiwa is proud to partner with BRCGS in offering friendly, efficient and competent certification against BRCGS Agents & Brokers Global Standard across a wide range of product types and trading operations no matter how big or small. |
BRCGS Storage and Distribution |
The BRCGS Storage and Distribution standard covers all activities which may affect the safety, quality and legal standing of the products as they are stored and distributed. It shows the customer that the producer has robust product safety systems in place to allow for confidence in the supply of a safe, legal and quality product. |
BRCGS Packaging Materials |
The BRCGS Packaging Materials standard helps a site or operation to demonstrate they are providing products that are quality assured, legally compliant, and authentic. |
BRCGS Training Courses |
Kiwa Training deliver a wealth of courses geared to getting you up to speed with the latest BRCGS standards of practice. |
Whether you’re an established global supplier or based in an emerging market, the BRCGS food standard ensures that your customers have confidence in your food safety program and supply chain management. What’s more, by improving food safety, the standard will also help you reduce waste, complaints, recalls and rejected products.
Each manufacturer or supplier is assessed by an accredited certification body like Kiwa, against specific safety, operational and quality criteria. Gaining certification gives food retailers, working within a highly competitive marketplace, legal, technical and financial advantages. Achieving the BRCGS food standard demonstrates to customers that the producer has robust product safety systems in place, allowing for confidence in the supply of a safe, legal and good quality product.
You can also use your BRCGS certificate as a marketing tool by displaying the BRCGS food standard logo on your publicity materials, stationery and website. And your business will appear on the BRCGS Directory too, giving you further recognition.
Supporting your BRCGS journey
Here you'll find the answers to some of the more common enquiries we deal with on
various schemes.
What is the BRCGS Food Standard Audit frequency?
Frequency of inspection depends on the grade awarded which is based on the number and level of non-conformities. Audits are at least every twelve months, dropping to six months if the site doesn't meet the required level of compliance. A food safety audit can help you gain your food hygiene certificate more easily.
What is the duration of BRCGS Food Standard Audit?
Audit duration is based on standards specific audit duration calculators to determine how long an inspection should be. Factors such as the size and complexity of your company, the number of HACCP plans and number of people will all be taken into account but will be a minimum of one day in duration for Storage and Distribution, Agents and Brokers, with a minimum of two days for food businesses, but can be up to four days for larger, complex sites. The duration of your food safety audit may affect the time it takes to receive your food hygiene certification.
Do you offer BRCGS Food Standard Training days?
We also offer a number of BRCGS certified training days including a conversion course, Third Party Auditor (5 days), and training on Issue 9. BRCGS food certification is recognised internationally and gives customers confidence in your food safety programme. These training days can help you understand the requirements for obtaining a food hygiene certificate.
My certificate is about to expire and I don't yet have an appointment for an assessor to visit. What should I do?
Please call and ask to speak to the relevant scheme co-ordinator. They will be able to confirm your status and may be able to raise an urgent visit. This is especially important if you need your food safety & hygiene certificate renewed urgently.
How are appointments made?
Our systems keep track of forthcoming expiration dates. The appropriate assessor for the scheme will be notified in good time, and he or she will contact you directly to try and arrange a convenient date and time for the visit. We understand the importance of maintaining a valid food health and safety certificate, so we aim to make this process as smooth as possible.
I have confirmed a visit with the assessor but I need to cancel or postpone it. What should I do?
Depending on the scheme regulations, as long as you give us plenty of notice, there should
be no cancellation fee. Otherwise you may incur a penalty of at least one day's fee. Let us
know as soon as you have a problem and we will try to organise another convenient date,
but please bear in mind that your certificate may expire if the visit is not rescheduled in
good time.
Why is the assessment fee payable in advance of the assessment visit?
This is standard practice in the certification industry. It allows assessments to be conducted
in an independent way without either party being distracted by commercial pressures.
Will I get the same assessor on every annual visit?
Kiwa maintains a high degree of integrity and independence when conducting inspection
visits, and our assessors are trained and verified on a regular basis to meet the stringent
requirements of our accreditation body. Wherever possible, the assessors are rotated within
their particular area, so it is unlikely that you will meet the same person on every visit.
I have lost my certificate. Can I get another copy from Kiwa Agri Food?
Under normal circumstances this should not be a problem. Kiwa Agri Food staff will
check your current status and make arrangements to post or fax a copy to you.
The name on my certificate does not match my business trading name. Can I get this altered and reissued?
The assessor should have confirmed your details at the time of the visit and our reviewers
check all details on the report very carefully. If you have changed your trading name or
trading style, the company details and the scope of your operations will have to be
confirmed. Depending on the circumstances, this may require a follow-up visit. Kiwa
Agri Food staff will be happy to answer any detailed questions about certification issues.
I need to send some photos to show that certain works have been carried out to comply with an action point raised on a visit. Can I send digital pictures via email?
This should not normally be a problem, as long as the images clearly show the relevant
detail. Please call our office (01423 878 878) and confirm the reviewer's email address
before you send any images. The format can be colour JPEG or BMP, and the images are
more likely to be accepted if you send a covering email (with descriptions of all the images),
then send each additional picture attached to a separate email.
BRCGS (BRC) Agents and Brokers Certification
Kiwa | We are proudly a BRCGS Certification Body.
BRCGS Packaging Certification
Kiwa Agri Food | Providing friendly, efficient and competent BRC certification for businesses, small and large.
BRCGS Storage and Distribution Certification
Kiwa Agri Food | We are proudly a BRCGS Certification Body for BRCGS Storage and Distribution.
