The producers of food, packing, and consumer goods are increasingly engaging in cooperation with the handlers of their goods – the warehousemen and cold storers and logistics companies responsible for the handling of their products post production. The BRCGS Storage and Distribution standard is meant to ensure that these handlers meet the same level of safety and quality in handling the product as the point of manufacture itself. As buyers extend their standards into their supply chains, exporters are being compelled to demonstrate that the storage and handling facilities are equally certified as the manufacturers are through the certificate. This blog will explore the meaning of the standard, whether the exporter needs it, who requires certification, the process of audit and its place in the broader context of the BRCGS Supply Chain Compliance scheme.
What Is the BRCGS Storage and Distribution Standard
BRCGS Storage and Distribution standard is a certification scheme created by BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards) providing standards for the storage, handling and transportation of food packing material and consumer goods. It includes warehousing, temperature controlled warehousing, order picking, loading and transportation.
In contrast to standards for the production of food products, the Storage and Distribution standard considers a post-production stage of a product – the way of storage, management of the stock rotation, protection of facilities from contamination and traceability of product on every handover stage. BRCGS Storage and Distribution Certification guarantees that all processes of storage and transportation of a product were provided in such a way that they could not damage product safety, legality and quality.
This aspect is extremely important for the exporter, since certification of just a factory of a product production does not guarantee its safety.
When Is BRCGS Storage and Distribution Certification Required for Exporters
The exporters need to have BRCGS Storage and Distribution Certification when the buyer, retailer or importing market has a requirement of supply chain management rather than factory management in certain situations, such as:
- The export company manages its warehouse, refrigeration facility, or logistics center which is different from its production facility.
- According to the agreement between the exporter and the retail company/brand owner, all its handling facilities along its supply chain must be certified under the BRCGS standard.
- It becomes essential to manage temperature because of the need to store and transport certain products like frozen or chilled foods.
- The exporter outsources its logistics operations to another entity and needs to ensure its compliance with the standard.
- Certification of the supply chain outside the factory is mandatory according to importers in UK/Europe/North America under GFSI standards.
That is, if any part of the export company’s operations relates to storage and distribution of the products from the production stage to delivery to the customer, and the customer needs guarantees in this respect, then BRCGS Storage and Distribution Certification is absolutely necessary.
Who Needs BRCGS Storage and Distribution Certification
This standard is applicable to several business sectors dealing with the product after manufacturing. The table below represents some of the major business sectors.
The logistics service providers of export firms that do not conduct any form of warehousing and transport might also be mandated by the purchaser to issue the export company proof of their certification in line with the BRCGS Logistics Standard.
Is BRCGS Storage and Distribution Certification Required for Exporters
Certification of BRCGS Storage & Distribution is not a requirement by law to be followed by exporters. It is simply a market need, wherein some retailers, brand owners, or import agreements may decide whether to accept or refuse the products of a certain supplier based on whether there is an existing certification. Several UK and European retailers have actually put into agreement that this certification be possessed by the logistics providers in their supply chains.
However, for an exporter who wishes to be able to reach out to these markets, it will be found that the certification is a requirement but not a legal one. In circumstances where the supply chain policy of the buyer calls for GFSI certified storage and distribution certification, an exporter lacking such certification would certainly be prohibited from appearing on the list of vendors.
BRCGS Storage and Distribution Certification vs Related Standards
Confusion with regard to these two issues emanates from the exporting community on issues relating to food safety. Below is a comparison of these two.
Benefits of BRCGS Storage and Distribution Standard for Food Exporters and Logistics Providers
Certification also delivers some advantages which not only meet the demands of the buyer’s checklist but also show up in the form of tangible results:
- Increased ability to access the market because many retailers restrict vendors who deal only with certified storage and transport firms
- Reduced risk of losing the goods as a result of temperature exposure, contamination, or wrong stock rotation
- Improved traceability throughout the transfer process from manufacture to distribution
- Reduced costs involved in doing audits since certification is often good enough for many clients at once
- Increased ability to secure new export arrangements or logistics partners
This is the same case with the logistics industry: The 3PL companies that are certified by BRCGS Logistics Certification are allowed to offer their services to multiple exporters rather than having to comply separately for each client.
The BRCGS Storage and Distribution Audit Process
Certification will be awarded after the successful implementation of the Storage and Distribution Audit conducted by the accredited certification body. The audit examines the documented procedures, the existing situation on the site, and the conduct of the staff in terms of the requirements of the standard and usually involves a thorough review of the documentation as well as a tour of the facilities.
What the Audit Typically Covers
- Securing the site, management of pests, and maintaining facilities
- Temperature checks and maintenance of the cold chain where appropriate
- Stock rotation, traceability documents, and segregation of products
- Vehicle cleaning, loading of cargo, and transportation documents
- Training records and food safety culture
Site evaluations take place using a grading scale, and the non-conformance issues found must be resolved within a set period of time prior to certification issuance. The period of certification will normally last one year, after which a re-audit is needed to retain certification.
Preparing for a Storage and Distribution Audit
When exporters or transporters are getting ready to be certified, one step that is done first is a gap analysis relative to the current standard. This allows for identification of any deficiencies in documents, facilities, or procedures that might be problems during the actual audit.
Documentation Typically Reviewed
- Site plan and HACCP/food safety assessment concerning storage activities
- Temperatures log and calibration documents for refrigerators
- Documents pertaining to pest management and inspections
- Documents pertaining to traceability and stock rotation (including FEFO policy)
- Vehicle maintenance and cleaning schedule
- Staff training documentation on hygiene, allergens, and emergencies
The preparation time depends on the state of the facility and its past history regarding certifications. For a warehouse that already has some kind of controls based on ISO and/or HACCP standards, the amount of time needed will be less compared to those that start with limited documentation.
Common Mistakes Exporters Make with BRCGS Storage and Distribution Certification
A number of factors tend to create delay or non-compliance during Storage and Distribution Audits. Exporters can circumvent most of these problems through planning.
- Assumption of BRCGS Food Safety Certification at the factory level is enough for separate warehouses/transport
- Inadequate recording of temperature excursions and the corrective measures taken
- Third-party transport being considered not part of the scope of internal audits
- Not verifying whether a logistics company’s certificate is sufficient for a particular location/activity
- Inadequate documentation of staff training before an audit
BRCGS supply chain compliance relies on all the nodes in the chain being at the same level. It means that any problem with one node in terms of logistics or warehousing could ruin the whole process of exporting the goods despite the certification of the factory.
BRCGS Logistics Certification and Supply Chain Compliance
The BRCGS Logistics Certification of all warehouses and transport links works as a common assurance system for exporters with complex supply chains. In place of individual verification of a warehouse or a haulier by each buyer, one certificate can be used again by multiple buyers.
It is integral to the more general concept of BRCGS Supply Chain Compliance, which requires visibility not only at the production facility level but throughout the entire supply chain. Those exporters that have mapped out their whole supply chain and verified the certificate status at each link in it will be able to respond promptly to any request from the buyer.
Cost and Timeline Considerations
The cost of certification will depend on the size of the site, the number of storage zones, the difficulty of temperature control, and the chosen certifying agency. It is recommended that exporters budget not only for the audit cost but also for the cost of pre-audit assessment and labor spent on closing gaps identified during that process. Multi-site companies with regional warehouse operations usually coordinate group audit schedules to save on travel expenses.
The time required between filing an application and receipt of the certificate varies from a few weeks to a few months. Sites that have well-established quality management systems, such as ISO 9001-certified sites or sites with a food safety certificate, typically have a shorter process than sites applying for certification for the first time.
Key Takeaways
- Storage and Distribution Certification by BRCGS is related to warehousing, cold storage, and logistics, and not manufacturing
- It is needed by exporters if their customers, agreements, or destination countries demand the whole chain to be certified
- The certificate is held by 3PL companies, cold storages, distribution centers, and by exporters’ warehouses
- This certification is market-oriented and not mandatory in a legal sense, although it is sometimes practically obligatory
- The Storage and Distribution Audit examines the facilities and transport control prior to certification
FAQs on BRCGS Storage and Distribution Standard
When is BRCGS Storage and Distribution certification required for exporters?
Under the circumstance that it is specified in a purchase order, retail agreement, or export contract that all the storage and transportation partners in the supply chain need to be certified.
Who needs BRCGS Storage and Distribution certification?
Exporters of food, warehouses, cold storages, distributors, 3PLs, and logistic companies transporting products post-production need the certification.
Is BRCGS Storage and Distribution certification required for exporters by law?
No, it is not mandatory by law, although many retailers and brand-owners make it mandatory in the supply agreements.
What are the benefits of BRCGS Storage and Distribution Standard for food exporters and logistics providers?
It expands market access, improves traceability, reduces product loss, and often replaces multiple separate buyer audits.
How long does BRCGS Storage and Distribution certification last?
The certificate usually lasts 12 months, at which point a re-audit becomes necessary to renew it.
Does BRCGS Logistics Certification cover both storage and transport?
Yes, it evaluates warehouse conditions, as well as cleanliness and loading of the vehicles and transport documents.
Can an exporter rely on a logistics partner’s certification instead of getting certified directly?
Yes, in such a case, the buyer will accept certification of the logistics partner as proof of compliance
