This blog will show why food companies fail BRC certification without consultant help, and what actually causes the first-time BRC audit failure.
“We already have ISO/FSSC.
We can handle BRC certification without a consultant.”
This mindset has cost hundreds of food manufacturers their first-time BRC audit failures, along with buyers, export certificates, and time to recover.
Problem Statement:
Many food manufacturers choose to go for BRC certification without a consultant‘s help, thinking it will save them money. Instead, they experience BRC audit failure, repeated non-conformities, and buyer confidence issues.
The truth is simple: BRC certification is more than paperwork. It is a system maturity test, understanding, and real-time control, which most food manufacturers underestimate.
Why does this happen?
BRC certification fails without a consultant because of the following reasons:
- Misunderstanding of BRCGS requirements
- ISO/FSSC logic doesn’t apply to BRC certification
- Audit preparation is document-centric but implementation-weak
- Staff interviews are not considered
- Internal audits are not BRC certification-compliant
These BRC certification issues compound, leading to certain failure.
Founder Pain Points:
- “Can we attempt BRC certification without a consultant?”
- “Why did we fail even though we have documents?”
- “Auditor said we have systems, but they are ineffective.”
- “Staff members couldn’t answer audit questions.”
- “Buyer wants us to re-audit quickly.”
- “We underestimated the BRC audit complexity.”
Yes, it is possible to do BRC certification without a consultant.
But it is also risky.
BRC audit test:
- How companies make decisions under pressure
- Whether employees understand food safety daily
- Whether records can prove consistency, not just intention
Most companies concentrate on what they should have, not what the auditor wants to see happening.
This is why most companies fail the first time BRC audit.
Helpful Guide:- Emergency BRC Certification: How to Get Approved When Audit Is Due in 15–30 Days?
Common Mistakes in BRC Certification (Without Consultant):
- Treating BRC Like ISO or FSSC
One of the most common pitfalls in BRC certification is the belief that ISO/FSSC schemes are sufficient.
BRC requires:
- Higher and stronger site requirements
- Better and deeper management responsibility
- Real-time evidence
This misconception alone leads to many BRC audit failure reasons.
- Over-Documentation, Under-Implementation
Without a consultant, companies trying for BRC certification often:
- Develop lengthy SOPs
- Copy templates
- Ignore implementation verification
This is easily identified by auditors.
- Poor Internal Audits
Internal audits are commonly:
- Checklist-driven
- Not clause-wise
- Not challenging enough
This does not adequately prepare staff for actual BRC audits and is another BRC audit failure.
- Staff Interviews Ignored
Another common reason for BRC audit failure is a lack of staff understanding.
Operators need to be able to:
- Describe food safety hazards
- Describe what to do when something goes wrong
- Describe where records are maintained
Without preparation, audits fail during staff interviews.
- Lack of Genuine Corrective Action Thinking
After non-critical observations, companies:
- Fix symptoms
- Ignore root cause analysis
BRC auditors require preventive approaches. The importance of hiring a BRC consultant is clear after failure.
Helpful Guide:- Top 5 Mistakes Indian Export Houses Make During BRCGS Audits
What Actually Works?
- Clause-Wise BRC Gap Assessment
Effective BRC audit preparedness begins with:
- Risk assessment clause by clause
- Site condition assessment
- Staff awareness assessment
This immediately eliminates BRC certification without consultant risks.
- Prioritize High-Risk Areas
Successful BRC audits emphasize:
- Site standards & sanitation
- HACCP & CCP management
- Traceability & recall procedures
- Corrective actions’ effectiveness
Not everything needs to be flawless; critical control must be demonstrated.
- Training for Understanding, Not Attendance
BRC requires:
- Competence
- Confidence
- Ownership
The importance of hiring a BRC consultant is that training should be audit centered.
- Mock Audits That Simulate Pressure
True mock audits reveal:
- Interview weaknesses
- Evidence weaknesses
- System vulnerabilities
The importance of hiring a BRC consultant is that companies fail the BRC audit on the first attempt.
Legal4sure Role:
At Legal4sure, we do not simply “prepare documents.”
We assist food manufacturers in:
- Uncovering true BRC compliance challenges
- Avoiding typical BRC certification errors
- Developing systems for auditors
- Preparing teams for actual audit pressure
This organized assistance greatly minimizes BRC audit failure causes, particularly for those who are attempting BRC for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Can we do BRC certification without a consultant?
You can, but the failure risk is very high if your team doesn’t have BRC audit experience.
- Why do companies fail the BRC audit the first time?
Most often, it’s because of poor site standards, weak HACCP logic, untrained staff, and failure to do effective corrective actions.
- Is BRC certification feasible without a consultant for small factories?
Yes, but the risks are significantly higher if a small team with fewer resources is trying to get BRC certification without a consultant.
- Why is hiring a BRC consultant important?
Consultants provide the perspective of an auditor, focus on priorities, and help to avoid repeat non, compliances.
- What is the major challenge in BRC compliance?
The real challenge is to provide evidence of daily implementation, not just documentation.
Founder Takeaway:
BRC certification is not a matter of intelligence or hard work; it’s a matter of experience under audit pressure.
Failure occurs not because food is not safe, but because systems fail under examination. This is why BRC certification without a consultant has a failure rate of almost 80% for first-time applicants.
Planning BRC certification and wondering if you should go ahead without a consultant?
Get professional advice to minimize audit failure, rework, and buyer delays, and develop a BRC system that will actually pass. Consult with a BRC compliance expert today.
Helpful Guide:- BRC Audit Checklist
