Sedex vs BRC vs FSSC 22000: A Complete Certification Comparison Guide

There is always an ongoing dilemma when Indian food processors, exporters, and suppliers have to choose between Sedex, BRC, and FSSC 22000 when a buyer requests third-party certification. These standards are applicable for different purposes, carry different costs, and are suitable for different levels of business development. This guide will help to distinguish the differences between Sedex vs BRC vs FSSC 22000 with regard to scope, requirements, cost, and worldwide recognition.

What Is Sedex vs BRC vs FSSC 22000 : Understanding the Basics

Before comparing Sedex vs BRC vs FSSC 22000 in detail, it is important to learn about what each standard really verifies.

• Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange): A membership program and auditing system (SMETA) that covers labour practices, health and safety, environmental impact, and business ethics along the entire supply chain.
• BRCGS (previously known as BRC): A GFSI-approved food safety system certification for production facilities that adhere to stringent requirements for product safety and quality.
• FSSC 22000: A GFSI-approved food safety management system based on ISO 22000, together with prerequisite programs specific to the industry (ISO/TS 22002 series).

In summary, Sedex is largely an ethical and social compliance scheme, whereas BRC and FSSC 22000 are food safety management schemes. This difference forms the foundation of all other comparisons in this guide.

Sedex vs BRC vs FSSC 22000: Scope and Purpose Compared

Sedex and SMETA audit is based on the concept of ethical trade whereas BRC and FSSC 22000 are certifications related to food safety systems and actually the choice for any manufacturing organization is among BRC and FSSC 22000, along with Sedex.

Sedex vs BRC vs FSSC 22000: Key Requirements Table

Sedex vs BRC vs FSSC 22000 Cost Comparison

Cost is among the most common long-tail search keywords related to sedex vs brc vs fssc 22000 cost, which will vary according to the size of the site and the fees charged by different certification bodies. The following table shows the usual rates for an average size Indian food processing factory.

It should be noted that Sedex remains the cheaper alternative from the three every time, which is the reason why it is usually considered the most affordable way to certify your business in the food industry. At the same time, more documentation and system audits are required in BRC and FSSC 22000.

Certification Recognition: GFSI Status in Sedex vs BRC vs FSSC 22000

Certification recognition global GFSI status is a key differentiator. The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarks food safety schemes that buyers can trust interchangeably.

• BRCGS: GFSI-approved food safety standard, recognized by all major retailers in the UK, Europe, and the international market.
• FSSC 22000: GFSI-approved food safety management standard, recognized by major retailers in Europe, North America, and Asia.
• Sedex/SMETA: NOT a GFSI benchmarked food safety program; it is an ethical audit tool, thus cannot be used in place of BRC or FSSC 22000 food safety standards.

This implies that when a supplier exports to a mandatory GFSI buyer, he cannot use Sedex in place of BRC and FSSC 22000 since the two are totally different in terms of compliance purposes and requirements.

Ethical Auditing (Sedex) vs Quality Systems (FSSC 22000)

The comparison of ethical auditing Sedex vs quality FSSC comes down to what each standard is designed to verify.

• The Sedex/SMETA audit checks on working conditions, wages, working hours, well-being of workers, and the environment.
• The FSSC 22000 audit checks on food safety hazard control, prerequisites, and management system effectiveness.
• There is a possibility for a facility to pass SMETA audit on labor practices while failing on FSSC 22000 audit on food safety documentation, and vice versa.

Purchasers in the food, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors are increasingly seeking confirmation of both – Sedex for ethical sourcing, and FSSC 22000 or BRC for food safety.

Sedex Certification vs ISO 22000 Requirements

The other popular comparison is that of Sedex certification against ISO 22000, as the former has developed from the latter’s structure.

• ISO 22000 is an independent global food safety management systems standard that applies to any organization in the food chain.
• The FSSC 22000 certification scheme involves the use of ISO 22000 along with specific prerequisite programs and additional GFSI criteria, hence is more advanced than the ISO 22000 standard.
• Sedex does not provide food safety management system assessments in its entirety; therefore, Sedex cannot be benchmarked to ISO 22000 on technical criteria but on audit objective and buyer acceptance alone.

Sedex vs BRC vs FSSC 22000: Which Certification Is Easiest to Achieve

Which food certification is easiest depends on a site’s existing systems and documentation maturity.

• Generally, the Sedex/SMETA is the easiest and fastest to get because it audits what you already have, not what you need to set up.
• The BRC needs to have a documented HACCP plan and food safety management system in place before the audit.
• The FSSC 22000 needs a complete management system based on the ISO 22000 and prerequisite programs.

In case of companies that have poor documentation, the Sedex certification process is the fastest one, whereas the BRC and FSSC 22000 require well-designed food safety systems for certification.

FSSC 22000 vs Sedex Requirements: Side-by-Side Snapshot

Should I Get Sedex or FSSC 22000? A Decision Framework

Should I get Sedex or FSSC 22000 is best answered by working backward from buyer requirements and business goals.

• Select Sedex where there is a requirement by the buyer of ethical trade transparency, or when the company deals with retailers needing SMETA members.
• Select FSSC 22000 where the company is manufacturing or processing food products and needs a recognized food safety certificate under the GFSI.
• Select both where the buyer is requiring evidence of ethical sourcing as well as food safety, an increasing trend with large contracts in retail and exports.
• Select BRC over FSSC 22000 only if a specific buyer or country market demands it over FSSC 22000.

Which Certification Do I Need for Food Business Growth

Which Certification Do Food Businesses Require Most Frequently When Scaling From Domestic To Export Markets? The general rule here is that food safety certification (BRC or FSSC 22000) is required once a business supplies its product to retailers, food service chains, or export markets where GFSI accreditation is needed. Sedex is a must-have when the purchaser conducts an audit of supply chain ethical practices, which is typical for the supply chains of apparel-related food packaging, agri-processing, and FMCGs.

Small manufacturers usually procrastinate certification until there is a mandatory requirement in the buyer’s contract, leaving little time for preparation. Creating documentation about food safety, HACCP plans, and prerequisite programs is more time-consuming than a team typically expects, especially if there is no experience in undergoing a management system audit of a facility. Conducting a gap analysis for BRC or FSSC 22000 in advance of any buyer deadlines saves time and money on re-audits and fixing deficiencies.

Third-Party Food Certification Comparison: Choosing an Auditor

In the analysis of food certification schemes done by a third party, there is also need to consider the certification organization, because Sedex, BRC, and FSSC 22000 all utilize third-party auditors and not a centralized agency.

• Make sure the certification body is accredited for the specific standard and scope (for example, a BRCGS accredited certification body or an FSSC 22000 licensed certification body).
• Check the audit time estimates as the size of your site and number of product lines impacts both price and time.
• See if the audit cost estimate includes a pre-audit gap assessment to minimize chances of having significant non-conformities in the audit for certification.
• For Sedex audits, make sure you understand whether the audit will be 2-Pillar (covering labour and health and safety only) or 4-Pillar.

Sedex vs BRC vs FSSC 22000: Supply Chain Certification Requirements Guide

As a guide to supply chain certification requirements, the below sequence captures how many expanding food companies manage their compliance.

• Stage 1 – In-country operation: Basic food safety knowledge, FSSAI certification, and HACCP understanding.
• Stage 2 – Organized retail chain operation: Sedex membership and SMETA audit if required by the retail chain buyers.
• Stage 3 – Export/ Private label contract: BRC or FSSC 22000 certification for meeting the needs of GFSI-approved buyers.
• Stage 4 – Multi-export operation: Both Sedex and BRC/FSSC 22000 certification for covering ethical and food safety audits.

Key Takeaways

• Sedex is an auditing system for ethics and social compliance; BRC and FSSC 22000 are food safety management systems.
• BRC and FSSC 22000 are GFSI-approved – Sedex is not a replacement for either of them in terms of food safety compliance.
• Of all the above options, Sedex is the most affordable and quickest to be certified, while FSSC 22000 demands the most documentation.
• Nowadays, customers prefer Sedex together with BRC/FSSC 22000 instead of as a replacement.
• The choice will be made by buyers’ demands: food safety demands require BRC or FSSC 22000, ethical trade demands require Sedex.