AA Grade Certification of the BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety is the best grade an organization manufacturing food can obtain under the said BRCGS standard, which is achieved only when an auditor identifies no critical or major non-conformity, together with just few minor non-conformities. In case of Indian food manufacturers and exporters, a grade of AA means that international buyers, retailers, and regulatory agencies recognize that such a food facility works at a higher level than just being compliant. Achieving such a grade right at the first attempt is certainly feasible; however, it requires strict BRCGS audit preparation, understanding of the BRCGS grades, and awareness of how an AA grade differs from other grades. This document gives information about the meaning of the certificate, audit scope, and BRCGS audit preparation needed to get the BRCGS AA Grade Certificate at the first audit attempt.
What Is a BRCGS AA Grade Certificate
BRCGS uses grading in order to determine the quality of sites. The level of quality that will be assigned to a certain site is defined by the number and significance of non-conformities discovered during the BRCGS audit, and also by the nature of the audit process (announced or unannounced). A BRCGS AA Grade Certificate is awarded to a site after an audit where no critical non-conformities are found, no major non-conformities are found, and the number of minor non-conformities does not exceed a certain amount.
As the grade is awarded depending on the audit result only, BRCGS AA Grade Certificate cannot be obtained or ordered by the manufacturers – it can only be achieved through the course of the audit process. That is why preparation for first-audit is so vital for entering export markets or supplying major retailers
Understanding BRCGS Audit Grades
The grading for the BRCGS audit ranges from AA (the best grade) to D. Grades AA+, A+, B+ or C+ are given to unannounced audits. The following is a summary of the grading process.
Even when an unannounced audit is performed, getting zero critical findings and zero major findings qualifies a site for a “+” indicator (e.g. AA+, A+, etc.) which adds more value to buyers because it indicates that even without any prior notification the site can perform in a consistent manner.
BRCGS Certification Audit Options That Affect the AA Grade
Different types of audit are available from BRCGS and the type selected by the site may have an impact on the perception of the grade of the site by purchasers even though the actual number of non-conformities is the same.
For companies that have recently started their BRCGS journey, initially, the audit is done using the announced audit route until the FSSC system gets developed, after which the company can opt for the unannounced audit route with confidence.
BRCGS AA Grade Requirements for Food Manufacturers and Exporters
AA grade standards by BRCGS include more than just the compliance with the clauses specified in the standard. The auditors need to have evidence of a food safety culture that permeates throughout the entire manufacturing facility and not just in writing but also what is observed through the walkthrough on the production floor. Some of the things that should be evident to the Indian food producers/exporters are:
- A documented food safety management system working according to the latest issue of BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety
- A HACCP system in line with the guidelines of the Codex Alimentarius, audited and validated at least once a year or whenever there is a change in the process
- A demonstrated management commitment, including a food safety and quality policy as well as periodic management reviews
- An effective internal auditing system that covers the entire plant as well as all HACCP critical control points within one year
- Traceability systems that can be tested and closed within four hours from raw materials to the dispatch of final products
- Root cause analysis as well as corrective action closure for every non-conformity identified during internal audits, complaints, and BRCGS audits previously conducted
- Calibrated measuring equipment, which are up-to-date with their calibration records for all critical control points
- Trained and competent personnel with induction and refresher training in food safety issues
BRCGS Audit Preparation: Steps Toward a BRCGS AA Grade Certificate
BRCGS audit preparation should be a systematic activity and not just a rush to check documents at the very last moment. The steps below have been used by companies that score an AA grade on their first BRCGS audit.
How Do You Get an AA Grade in a BRCGS Audit? Avoiding Common Mistakes
Most companies which do not pass an AA rating for the first time they have been audited through BRCGS suffer from process gaps instead of having one major fault. These process gaps are hidden in normal working conditions but become obvious when auditors try to test the whole system. These problems include:
- Document control problems including the continued use of out-of-date documents on the production floor
- Traceability tests that take longer than four hours or show batch linkages are missing
- Internal audit schedules that are set up but not conducted in all areas during the cycle
- Corrective action closure that does not involve confirmed cause-and-effect analysis
- Improper record-keeping of sanitation, pest elimination, or temperature checks
- Employees who fail to demonstrate knowledge of relevant food safety measures in their job during an interview
Tackling these issues ahead of the audit process itself will be the most dependable means to solve the very tangible problem of how to get an AA rating on your BRCGS audit.
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How to Achieve a BRCGS AA Grade Certificate on the First Audit
The process of learning how to be awarded the BRCGS AA Grade Certificate at the first attempt can only be achieved by making preparation an ongoing process throughout the year. Successful organizations that have been able to pass their first audit do so through:
- Incorporation of the food safety culture activities within the day-to-day operations and not only during the period prior to the audit
- Allocation of a technical/quality team member solely responsible for BRCGS compliance all year long
- Quarterly verification of the supplier approval documentation and raw materials specifications
- Tackling every single internal non-conformance with the same level of thoroughness as during the BRCGS certification audit
- Maintaining the site always ready for the audit so that an unannounced audit becomes a feasible option
What Does a BRCGS AA Grade Certificate Mean for Buyers and Exporters
What would be the significance of having a BRCGS AA rating for a manufacturer or exporter in India? It indicates to the retailer, importer, and BRCGS Directory auditor that the plant manages its food safety risk in the best possible way as per the standards, which often becomes the deciding factor when the buyer has to choose between two suppliers of the same price range. It has commercial importance because:
- UK and EU buyers usually require an AA or A rating as a minimum for acceptance of new suppliers
- An AA grade allows having a longer certification process cycle with a lesser need for full re-certification
- It helps in improving the rating of the facility during due diligence and bidding processes
- An AA grade also minimizes the risk of extended or follow-up audits due to a lower rating result
As a result, for those who export their goods into the UK, EU or any other market recognized by GFSI, it means that the BRCGS AA becomes more of a business tool than merely an internal quality parameter.
Key Takeaways
- BRCGS AA Grade Certificate needs zero critical and zero major non-conformities during the audit process
- BRCGS audit grades go from AA all the way down to D, and “+” is appended to indicate unannounced audit
- BRCGS AA grade needs a validated HACCP system, a four-hour traceability test, and closed corrective actions
- Structured BRCGS audit preparation process for four to six months will significantly improve the first audit result
- AA grade builds up buyer trust and reduces the need for future BRCGS certification audits
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a BRCGS AA grade certificate mean?
That the facility is audited with no critical and no major non-conformities at all, which signifies the highest standard of food safety controls by BRCGS.
How to achieve a BRCGS AA grade certificate on the first audit?
Conduct structured preparation of the BRCGS audit four-six months prior, conduct a simulated audit and close all findings before the certification audit.
How do you get an AA grade in a BRCGS audit?
Ensure that there are no critical or major non-conformities, update documents and complete traceability trials within four hours.
What are the BRCGS AA grade requirements for food manufacturers and exporters?
The validation of the HACCP plan, internal audit, calibration of equipment, training and closing of corrective actions are some of the basic requirements.
How often is a BRCGS certification audit required for an AA grade site?
An AA grade facility will have a certification cycle of one year since most AA grade facilities will be having 12 months’ certification cycle. However, high grading is likely to ensure an extended certification cycle.
Can a site with minor non-conformities still get an AA grade?
A facility is eligible for AA grade despite some minor non-conformities as long as it has no critical or major non-conformity.
Does an unannounced audit affect the BRCGS AA grade?
Yes, a facility meeting zero critical and major non-conformity in an unannounced audit will earn AA+ grade.