India’s manufacturers of non-food consumer products are being increasingly pressured by international retailers to ensure that their products are safe, legal, and manufactured consistently. One of the most commonly used standards in this respect is the BRCGS Consumer Products Standard. This document will cover the topics like the scope of the standard, its applicability, requirements, and the procedure of obtaining certification.
What Is the BRCGS Consumer Products Standard
The BRCGS Consumer Products Standard is an internationally recognized certification system developed by BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards) for businesses producing, packing or processing non-food consumer products. This standard uses the same risk-based approach as other standards of the BRCGS family, which are aimed at controlling food, packaging and storage and distribution of foods.
The standard attempts to give an answer to one of the main questions raised by retailers and brands regarding their suppliers: can this factory produce a safe and legal product of required quality? The certification to this BRCGS standard allows buying companies to have an objective, independently verified answer to this question, and that is why this certification is often included in supplier qualification criteria in UK, European, US and Indian retail supply chains.
In other words, this is what the BRCGS Consumer Products Standard is: a set of requirements to management commitment, product safety and quality management system, site standards, process control and more, applied to non-food products.
Scope of the BRCGS Consumer Products Standard
The coverage of the BRCGS Consumer Products Standard is divided into two separate standards, which apply to different kinds of products. Identifying which standard applies is the first thing manufacturers must do when assessing certification.
Certification can be obtained for both standards at either the Foundation or Higher Levels, depending on the readiness of the management systems of the manufacturer and the demands of its retailers.
Who Needs BRCGS Consumer Products Certification in India
The frequently asked question for Indian exporters is: Who requires BRCGS Consumer Products Certification in India? In reality, the need arises purely from buyer requirements and not due to domestic regulations. Some of the organizations that are the regular applicants are as follows:
- Household cleaning products, wipes, and personal care product manufacturers who supply the UK/EU retailer markets
- Toy and stationery as well as general merchandise manufacturers who export to global brand owners
- Textiles and furniture manufacturers who work in retail private label programs
- Packaging converters who have moved into producing finished consumer goods
- Contract and private label manufacturers looking to add more retailers to their approved list
If the BRCGS Consumer Products Standard is listed in either a buyer’s code of conduct for suppliers or their technical specifications, then certification is a requirement, irrespective of the organization’s size.
Key Requirements of the BRCGS Consumer Products Standard
The provisions of the BRCGS Consumer Products Standard are structured according to risk management, quality management system, and factory environment control. The key points that should be demonstrated by a certified facility are the following:
- Commitment from senior management to the safety, legality, and continuous improvement of products
- Documented systems for managing product safety and quality, including documentation control
- Risk assessments conducted during the design phase to ensure safety and legality within the target market(s)
- Process hazard/risk assessments related to raw materials, manufacturing, and packaging
- Factory standards for site, machinery, and pest control
- Personnel standards for hygiene, training, and competence
- Testing, inspection, and traceability of products
- Processes for dealing with customer complaints and product recalls
Foundation vs Higher Level Certification
BRCGS Consumer Products Certification Process
The BRCGS Consumer Products certification process generally involves a similar sequence of steps, regardless of whether it is an initial application or a transfer from another certification body. Below is the flow for obtaining BRCGS Consumer Products certification for Indian manufacturers.
This is the typical BRCGS certification procedure that is followed in all BRCGS schemes but customized according to the clauses of the Consumer Products Scheme
BRCGS Consumer Products Audit: What to Expect
BRCGS Consumer Products audit is an essential milestone in the process of certification. This procedure includes a comprehensive document review and on-site walk-through of the manufacturing facility. In most cases, auditors check for:
- Senior management involvement and proof of resources being committed
- Product safety and quality documentation, which includes risk assessment and specifications
- The factory conditions, equipment maintenance, and hygiene standards
- Records of process controls and in-process inspections
- Batch coding, traceability, and mock recalls
- Awareness of employees about the procedure they are involved in
Findings are classified into critical, major, or minor nonconformities. For Foundation level certification, all nonconformities must be addressed before the certificate is issued; in Higher Level, the number and level of nonconformities affect the final result.
Benefits of BRCGS Consumer Products Certification for Indian Manufacturers
- Fulfills a widely accepted safety standard for consumer products accepted by many major retailers worldwide
- Creates opportunities for entry into supply chains of UK, EU, and USA retailers who require BRCGS compliance from their suppliers
- Decreases the frequency of individual buyer audits that the facility needs to accommodate annually
- Improves internal quality management processes, hence fewer customer grievances and corrections
- Establishes due diligence documentation in case of a product safety problem
Key Takeaways
- The BRCGS Consumer Products standard involves two distinct standards: Personal Care & Household, and General Merchandise.
- Certification can be attained at either Foundation or Higher level based on the maturity of the management system.
- The need for the BRCGS Consumer Products certification in India arises primarily from buyer/retailer demands and not through national legislation.
- The BRCGS certification process includes gap analysis, documentation, auditing, and closure of nonconformities.
- Successful BRCGS Consumer Products auditing leads to the issuance of a certificate valid for one year.
FAQs
What is the BRCGS Consumer Products Standard?
This is a certification scheme that applies to manufacturers of non-food consumer products that address issues of product safety, legality, and quality management.
What are the BRCGS Consumer Products Standard requirements in India?
There are no Indian specific requirements but global BRCGS Consumer Products Standards that include management commitment, risk assessment, site standard, and process control.
Who needs BRCGS Consumer Products certification in India?
Make the right choice of standard and level, address documentation gaps, schedule an appointment with an accredited certification body, successfully complete the audit, and address non-conformities.
How to get BRCGS Consumer Products certification for manufacturers in India?
Select the correct standard and level, close documentation gaps, book an accredited certification body, pass the audit, and close any nonconformities.
How long does BRCGS Consumer Products certification remain valid?
It is usually valid for 12 months before a recertification audit becomes necessary.
What is the difference between Foundation and Higher Level certification?
Foundation offers either a pass or fail grade depending on whether the issues identified have been resolved, while the Higher Level offers a graded assessment.
What happens during a BRCGS Consumer Products audit?
The auditor looks at the documentation and performs an inspection of the organization to evaluate process control, hygiene, traceability, and awareness among others.
